2022’s Best Cities for Farmers Markets

Female vendor handing fresh vegetables in a basket to a customer at a farmers market

Few things are better than getting out of the house and heading to your neighborhood farmers market where you’ll find locally picked vegetables, infused honey, fresh jam, and other handmade goods.

But which cities have the best access to farm-fresh food?

To mark National Farmers Market Week (Aug. 7-13), Lawn Love ranked 2022’s Best Cities for Farmers Markets.

We looked for walkable and public transit-friendly cities with nice weather and plenty of highly rated farmers markets. We also looked at average consumer spending on typical farmers market products like dairy, produce, and baked goods.

Wander through the market stalls like a pro with the help of our city rankings, analysis, and tips below.

In this article

City rankings 

See how each city fared in our ranking:

Infographic showing the Best Cities for Farmers Markets, a ranking based on access to farmers markets, consumer ratings, household spending, and more

The upshot

Take a bite out of The Big Apple

You don’t have to rely on bagels and bodega sandwiches to get by in NYC: New York shines at the top as 2022’s Best City for Farmers Markets. NYC brings home gold ribbons for Access and Convenience, too.

Farmers markets help keep the city connected, giving New Yorkers a chance to get out of their apartments and into the community. It’s not hard to score fresh produce or artisanal treats in a walkable city that boasts more than 130 farmers markets.

The fun doesn’t stop at the end of fall: New York is also the best cold city for strolling through farmers markets in winter months.

Local tips

  • Union Square Greenmarket is one of the largest farmers markets in the nation, with 60,000 shoppers (per day) and more than 140 vendors to visit during peak market season. If you want to avoid the crowds, check out Chelsea Down to Earth Farmers Market to get your locally-sourced products and produce.

California cultivation

The Golden State grows more than one-third of the nation’s vegetable supply and is a leading player in the organic agriculture industry. No wonder California dominates the ranking, with six golden cities making up our top 10.

San Francisco (No. 2), Los Angeles (No. 3), and San Diego (No. 7) impressed with plenty of markets to wander around. Well-connected sidewalks and public transport systems, affordable produce, and a beautiful climate boosted Salinas (No. 4), Orange (No. 6), and Fullerton (No. 8) near the top. 

Look out for local honey at the markets in California, aka the Best State for Beekeeping.

Local tips

  • San Francisco: Three times a week, Ferry Plaza Farmers Market offers some of the best of the Bay Area when it comes to organic greens, handcrafted items, and street food. Located at the historic Ferry Building, this market offers fun events like cooking demos and food education programs.
  • Los Angeles: Stop and smell the flowers while you’re spying on celebrities at Hollywood Farmers’ Market. Here, more than 160 vendors offer local produce and artisanal goods, including hot sauce, ice cream, and cheese.
  • San Diego: Throughout the year, Little Italy Mercato is open twice weekly so San Diegans may “mangia bene,” or eat well. This farmers market fills six city blocks with stalls selling the typical market fare in addition to olive oil, poultry, and nuts.

Farm-friendly communities

Honolulu (No. 12) has plenty of farmers markets, which aren’t hard to get to thanks to the decent public transport available. However, there aren’t many supplier farms near the city, adding distance (and expense) to your bundle of brussels sprouts.

Meanwhile, Toledo, Ohio (No. 26) might not have a lot of markets to choose from, but it leads the way in Quality (at No. 1) thanks to its proximity to more than 200 supplier farms. Similarly, Salem, Oregon (No. 13) and Vancouver, Washington (No. 19) stood out thanks to 130-plus supplier farms surrounding each city. Vancouver also boasts highly rated farmers markets, like the Vancouver Farmers Market.

Local tips

  • Honolulu: Kaka’ako Farmers Market is an excellent market for foodies to try local and international fare, while also grabbing some local crops grown right in Hawaii.
  • Toledo: With a history going back to 1832, Toledo Farmers’ Market operates year-round. Many vendors sell greens and specialty items such as stained glass, plants, and wine.
  • Salem: Salem Saturday Market is one of the largest farmers markets in Oregon. This market boasts more than 150 stalls offering a variety of fresh vegetables and handmade goods.

Organic outlaws

Scorching temps don’t stop the markets in The Lone Star State. As the Best State for Pioneer Women, it was surprising to learn that Texas is hit-or-miss when it comes to finding weekly stalls of fresh food.

High-quality produce doesn’t have to be expensive, and it isn’t in McKinney (No. 10) or Plano (No. 20). Organic fruit and vegetables in Austin (No. 16) might not be as budget-friendly, but there are more markets to choose from, and the city has plenty of supplier farms nearby to source fresh produce from. 

A lack of convenient, affordable markets sent Arlington (No. 184) near the bottom, alongside Brownsville (No. 182). Maybe the pioneer women (and other self-sufficient folks) in these cities prefer to grow enough for themselves, so there’s no need to venture to the markets to buy produce.

Local tips

  • McKinney: Buy “homegrown, harvested, and handmade” at McKinney Farmers Market at Chestnut Square. Open Saturdays, year-round, vendors at this market sell sweet baked goods, fresh flowers, and local meats.
  • Plano: Each weekend, Texans gather at Georgia’s Farmers Market to find fresh food and specialty items like pickled quail eggs, candles, and baked goods.
  • Austin: Keep it weird while connecting with your neighbors and local farmers at SFC Farmers’ Market Downtown. This market is 100% local, featuring fresh produce, handmade goods and food (like beef jerky and tamales), and live music.

Expert take

It can be hard to plan your farmers market adventure when vendor options change season by season. We reached out to some experts to provide their advice and insights on tackling the weekly trip to the market.

  1. What are three pros and three cons of shopping at farmers markets instead of your local supermarket?
  2. What is one thing consumers should know about shopping for seasonal produce at their local farmers market?
  1. Apart from fresh, local produce, what is one other item you like to shop for at your local farmers market?
  1. Have you noticed any innovative trends popping up at farmers markets? What is one trendy or in-demand item that vendors should consider offering?
  2. With rising inflation, can you save money by buying local produce (or other items) from the farmers market instead of going to the grocery store? Why or why not?

Ask The Experts

John Salazar, Ph.D., CHE
Professor and Coordinator of Hospitality and Food Industry Management
Vanessa P. Shonkwiler
Agribusiness Economist and Instructor, College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences, Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development
Shannon M. Coleman, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor and State Extension Specialist
Brandon Reich
Assistant Professor
Julio Sevilla
Associate Professor
Mark Ratchford
Professor of Practice
John Salazar, Ph.D., CHE
Professor and Coordinator of Hospitality and Food Industry Management
University of Georgia

What are three pros and three cons of shopping at farmers markets instead of your local supermarket?

Pros

  1. The vegetables and fruits purchased at farmers markets are typically closer to being ripe compared to products purchased at the supermarket.
  2. The products purchased directly by the consumer at farmers markets tend to yield higher profit margins for the local producer compared to their wholesale and retail channels.
  3. By purchasing products at the farmers market, the consumer is supporting the local economy because more of the money for their purchase stays within the community.

Cons

  1. Less of a variety of produce because your product choices are limited to the farms within the community.
  2. Your selection is also driven by the seasonality of product availability.
  3. Farmers markets are only available at certain times and, at times, only during certain seasons.

What is one thing consumers should know about shopping for seasonal produce at their local farmers market?

The produce that they’re purchasing is very fresh compared to the supermarket, and more of their money used for that purchase will have a greater economic impact on the farmer compared to a grocery store purchase.

Additionally, the seasonal produce is often less expensive compared to produce sold and purchased in the off-season.

Apart from fresh, local produce, what is one other item you like to shop for at your local farmers market?

Honey and homemade jams and jellies. While types of honey can be unique to a specific honey farmer, they can be blended with produce grown in the local community.

Jams and jellies can also bring added value to the local farmer by offering the consumer a unique blend of ingredients only available in that community and during a specific season.

Have you noticed any innovative trends popping up at farmers markets? What is one trendy or in-demand item that vendors should consider offering?

Farmers markets are collaborating more with the local tourism promoters such as visitors bureaus and festival and event organizers. Farmers markets help by adding an additional event to the community’s calendar and increasing the potential for the community to host more visitors to an area throughout the year.

With rising inflation, can you save money by buying local produce (or other items) from the farmers market instead of going to the grocery store? Why or why not?

For most items, there is potential to save more money as well as purchase items that will be fresher when compared to the supermarket. Additionally, the ability to select a specific amount of product (e.g., 1-2 bell peppers, select amount of strawberries, etc.) allows the consumer to purchase only what they need and can consume at a specific time.

Often, when produce is purchased at a supermarket, the store dictates the volume of your fruit or vegetable purchase by selling pre-packaged items. This can lead to much of your produce spoiling before you can consume the entire pre-packaged fruits or vegetables. Consequently, this also reduces food waste at the same time.

Vanessa P. Shonkwiler
Agribusiness Economist and Instructor, College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences, Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development
University of Georgia

What are three pros and three cons of shopping at farmers markets instead of your local supermarket?

Before the rise of supermarkets, shopping at farmers markets was a necessity in order to get food products. Nowadays, shoppers’ choice to buy at farmers markets reflects their holistic view of the food system.

Some drawbacks to buying at a farmers market are that it is rarely a one-stop shop; it does require driving extra miles on purpose, and depending on the location, it may require an extra expense as well. However, the point is beyond economics. Shoppers can buy fresh products grown or made locally, but they also intentionally do that in order to support local producers and the local economy.

Conviviality is another characteristic explaining buyers’ keen interest in going to farmers markets. They can interact with the members of their community and the market vendors. Over time, a trustworthy relationship establishes the ground for buyers’ retention.

What is one thing consumers should know about shopping for seasonal produce at their local farmers market?

There is surely more than one thing that shoppers should know, but one important aspect of buying directly from local growers is their production practices and the personal satisfaction that they get from supporting these practices.

Shoppers should be able to understand what Certified Naturally Grown or USDA Certified Organic means in terms of requirements because this often is what justifies the vendor’s price point.

Apart from fresh, local produce, what is one other item you like to shop for at your local farmers market?

Farmers markets often offer a wide range of other food products such as farm-fresh eggs, jams, spices, and other non-edibles such as flowers.

Have you noticed any innovative trends popping up at farmers markets? What is one trendy or in-demand item that vendors should consider offering?

Some very innovative vendors are using online platforms to advertise their products. They also offer the possibility to customize a box of produce, pay online, and pick up their purchase at the farmers market. This is convenient for the buyer who gets to pick according to his need, and it is convenient for the grower who can only harvest what is needed.

With rising inflation, can you save money by buying local produce (or other items) from the farmers market instead of going to the grocery store? Why or why not?

The level of prices largely depends on the location of the farmers market and the buyers’ income characteristics. Urban farmers markets tend to have more expensive produce but they also often offer a sliding scale of prices in order to accommodate different levels of income.

With SNAP and other non-profit programs, lower-income households do have an advantage when buying at farmers markets. Price sensitivity is different from one buyer to another; buying at farmers markets is really a choice that is made based on economic, social, and environmental factors.

Shannon M. Coleman, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor and State Extension Specialist
Iowa State University

What are three pros and three cons of shopping at farmers markets instead of your local supermarket?

Pros

  1. Promoting and obtaining fresh produce from local vendors and supporting local economies
  2. Builds stronger community connections with neighbors and friends
  3. Encourages physical activity

I like to keep a positive perspective. The only con I have is “hot,” so ensure you stay hydrated.

What is one thing consumers should know about shopping for seasonal produce at their local farmers market?

Check with your local Extension or Agriculture Department to see if they have a guide for what is in season. Here is a guide from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

Apart from fresh, local produce, what is one other item you like to shop for at your local farmers market?

Cottage foods are prepared at home and sold at the farmers market. Please be aware of state cottage foods laws and what products are safe to purchase. Crafts are also sold at the farmers market.

Have you noticed any innovative trends popping up at farmers markets? What is one trendy or in-demand item that vendors should consider offering?

During the pandemic, most people became very interested in canning foods. So homemade jams, jellies, and fruit butter are also a hit at the farmers market. As the Extension Professional, I would advise those interested in following appropriate rules when selling these products and using tested recipes.

An excellent recipe resource can be found through your state Cooperative Extension or Extension and Outreach. There is also the National Center for Home Food Preservation.

Brandon Reich
Assistant Professor
Portland State University

In my own research (link to original research here; link to free summary article here), my co-authors and I have examined the nature of Locavorism – an ideological drive toward local food consumption. Our research uncovers the core beliefs of locavores that drive their preferences. My interests have led me to the below discussion on farmers markets, a pillar of Locavorism and hub for locavores.

What are three pros and three cons of shopping at farmers markets instead of your local supermarket?

Pros

  1. Community –– farmers markets are an excellent way to engage and connect with members of your local community through interaction opportunities not only with other shoppers but with vendors as well.Unlike supermarkets, consumers experience farmers markets as a more social (vs. transactional) venue, as they often include activities or entertainment (e.g., live music, food carts, etc.) that supermarkets rarely do. As a result, visiting a farmers market may expose you to farmers, craftspeople, restauranteurs, and artists in your community that you may have otherwise never encountered.
  2. Open air –– although not universal, a majority of farmers markets are held outdoors. This now serves as a marked benefit over supermarkets in light of COVID concerns but also just makes the experience generally more pleasant.
  3. Unique offerings –– supermarkets, even gourmet local ones, are largely standardized in terms of product offerings. You may find a unique item on occasion, but most supermarkets predominantly carry items with widespread distribution without making regular changes to their product mix.

    This makes sense economically but makes for a fairly mundane shopping experience. Farmers markets, in contrast, offer a variety of items that may not be found elsewhere, with new vendors and products being introduced periodically.

Cons

  1. Convenience –– supermarkets are designed for convenience. Products are organized neatly into aisles with clearly labeled signs, employees are available to help you find whatever you’re looking for, and shopping carts make carrying goods fairly simple. These conveniences are rarely present at farmers markets.
  2. Accessibility –– you can find a supermarket (in some form) in just about any neighborhood of any town or city (although quality differs drastically depending on the socio-economic status of the community).They are often situated along major roads and connected to public transit. This is not always the case with farmers markets, which are lacking in many communities and somewhat less accessible than supermarkets, especially for people without means.
  3. Price point –– naturally, this varies depending on the supermarket, but on average, farmers market items tend to have higher price tags than those found in supermarkets. Like the above point on accessibility, this exacerbates inequalities around who has access to the benefits of farmers markets.

What is one thing consumers should know about shopping for seasonal produce at their local farmers market?

As a general point, do some light research on what grows best during each season in your geographic area. Just because something appears at a farmers market doesn’t necessarily mean it is at peak seasonality.

Apart from fresh, local produce, what is one other item you like to shop for at your local farmers market?

One of my favorite parts about going to my farmers market is having lunch at one of the local food carts on site. Although these are not a universal aspect of farmers markets, they are becoming more common.

Have you noticed any innovative trends popping up at farmers markets? What is one trendy or in-demand item that vendors should consider offering?

I don’t know if it’s trendy or innovative, but I have noticed more locally produced, packaged beverages (e.g., kombucha, fruit juices, liquor, etc.) at my farmers market. These are nice to offer because consumers can store them at home longer-term than produce and make excellent gifts for tourists.

With rising inflation, can you save money by buying local produce (or other items) from the farmers market instead of going to the grocery store? Why or why not?

I can’t say definitively one way or another, but generally, farmers markets tend to be more expensive than supermarkets on average, so it’s probably not the best venue for a money-saving goal.

As detailed above, farmers markets offer a number of benefits over supermarkets, but those benefits come with a higher overall price point.

Julio Sevilla
Associate Professor
University of Georgia

What are three pros and three cons of shopping at farmers markets instead of your local supermarket?

Pros

  1. First, by doing this, you are supporting small business owners and probably local, smaller farmers too.
  2. Second, this may involve lower prices since the seller has lower facilities, utilities, administrative and transportation costs (considering gas prices today) than a typical supermarket, which are often transmitted to the consumer.
  3. Third, since the products are often sourced locally, they may be fresher and higher in quality.

Cons

  1. A downside of buying at farmers markets is that, at times, there may be variability and uncertainty about the quality of the items.
  2. They usually don’t have the return policies and accountability that established supermarket chains have.

What is one thing consumers should know about shopping for seasonal produce at their local farmers market?

I think the appeal of farmers markets is that you may be able to buy fresh, locally sourced products that involve higher quality and potentially lower prices.

The key is to be aware of what products are in season near the area where the farmers market is being held. This increases the chance that you get a quality product at a favorable price and that you are supporting local farmers.

Apart from fresh, local produce, what is one other item you like to shop for at your local farmers market?

I think some farmers markets are going beyond just selling raw produce and are starting to add value to these items by processing them into more complex products such as jam, cured meats, concentrates, juices, and dried fruits, among others.

I think this is a good practice that allows consumers to support farmers markets without the risk of produce going bad, and that also allows farmers market merchants to increase their revenue through a wider variety of products.

With rising inflation, can you save money by buying local produce (or other items) from the farmers market instead of going to the grocery store? Why or why not?

In some cases, yes. On the one hand, some farmers markets may involve paying a premium in exchange for fresher, more natural, locally sourced products that support local farmers.

These growers may produce higher quality products in lower quantities, which may lead to higher costs.

However, in some cases, consumers may be able to save money at the farmers market if the items are cheaper due to having lower overhead and logistic costs than supermarkets do.

Of notice is current gas prices. While they have gone down drastically in the last two months, they are still higher than they were last year and an important cost of produce is transportation, which these days is more expensive. Buying local at the farmers’ market may help save on transportation costs.

Mark Ratchford
Professor of Practice
Tulane University

What are three pros and three cons of shopping at farmers markets instead of your local supermarket?

Pros

  1. Freshness. Fruits and vegetables straight from the farm. Related to freshness, you will only find things that are in-season (which can be a pro or a con).
  2. Price. The retailer and wholesaler take a cut of the sale price for items bought in a typical supermarket. By cutting out the distribution channel, prices should be lower at farmers markets.
  3. You can feel good about supporting local farmers and buying direct (no “middle man” taking a cut). Plus, you will know where your food comes from.

Cons

  1. Variety can be an issue –– you will only find things that are in-season, and there may not be the variety of items you’d typically find in a major grocery chain.
  2. Obviously, items that cannot be grown locally cannot be found at a local farmers market. So, you may still need to go to the grocery store for other items, which imposes a cost in terms of time and effort.
  3. Related to the above –– cost in terms of time and effort –– most people will need to go to the grocery store anyway, so it may simply be more efficient to buy most or all items in one place.

What is one thing consumers should know about shopping for seasonal produce at their local farmers market?

My understanding is wholesale prices offered to farmers are relatively low. So farmers can get a bigger cut of the eventual sale price by selling direct. If you are interested in supporting local farmers, buying at farmers markets may be a good way to do so.

Apart from fresh, local produce, what is one other item you like to shop for at your local farmers market?

I’ve bought fresh honey at a local farmers market.

With rising inflation, can you save money by buying local produce (or other items) from the farmers market instead of going to the grocery store? Why or why not?

Absolutely. Fruits and vegetables found at farmers markets are often cheaper than those found in grocery stores, although not always. This may be one of the main advantages of buying directly from farmers –– you cut out the middlemen in the distribution channel who would otherwise take a cut of the eventual sale price.

But this must be weighed against the cost (in terms of time and effort) of making a special trip to a farmers market for certain items that may already be available at a local supermarket.

Behind the ranking

For each of the 186 biggest U.S. cities, we gathered publicly available data on the factors listed in the table below. 

We then grouped those factors into five categories: Access, Quality, Convenience, Affordability, and Climate. 

Next, we calculated weighted scores for each city in each category.

Finally, we averaged the scores for each city across all categories.

The metro that earned the highest average score is considered “Best” (No. 1), while the city with the lowest is “Worst” (No. 186).

Sources: LocalHarvest, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Census Bureau, and Walk Score

Final thoughts: Keep it local

As harvest season approaches, you’ll find some of the best quality produce at your local farmers market, not at the grocery store.

Shopping at farmers markets might feel like splurging, but you’d be surprised how affordable local items can be when you get rid of the middle-man (aka grocery store). Some farmers markets also accept EBT cards and tokens or offer WIC coupons and senior discounts.

Check online ahead of time to see what your local market offers for payment options and whether you should bring cash or a credit card.

Your love for farmers markets doesn’t have to hibernate at the end of fall. Some markets run all year long, and many cities are home to fun and festive winter markets where you can often buy meaningful locally-made gifts throughout the holiday season.

Make the most of your weekend by stopping by one of America’s favorite farmers markets, and why not grab yourself some flowers while you’re at it?

  • Anchorage, Alaska: The South Anchorage Farmers Market is a community hub where Alaskans connect over local fare and live music. Kettlecorn, dog treats, chocolate, and mushrooms are just a few of the specialty items sold by vendors here.
  • Boston, Massachusetts: Open twice a week, Copley Square Farmers Market features more than three dozen vendors selling local produce, dairy, and baked goods. Vendors at this market sell specialty items such as maple syrup, pierogies, cider, and honey.
  • Charleston, South Carolina: For more than 33 years, residents and tourists have been strolling through the award-winning Charleston Farmers Market. Handmade soap, jewelry, and baskets are a few of the artisan products sold by vendors, along with salt, crepes, pickles, and pasta.
  • Santa Fe, New Mexico: The Santa Fe Farmers’ Market has been keeping the community fed for over half a century. This market operates year-round out of a LEED-certified building, with vendors selling a variety of local products from Northern New Mexico.

While strolling through your nearby farmers market, you might even find a local plant vendor to inspire you to begin a garden of your own. The only thing better than buying fresh produce from local farmers is picking it from your own backyard.

Too busy digging in the garden or meandering through market stalls to do your lawn chores? Reach out to a local Lawn Love pro for all your lawn maintenance and landscaping needs.

Main photo credit: Shutterstock

Sav Maive

Sav Maive is a writer and director based in San Antonio. Sav is a graduate from the University of Virginia and is a loving cat and plant mom.