Best Farmers Markets
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Summertime and the livin’ is easy... except maybe if you’re a farmer in RI. Now’s the time for the hustle and part of that hustle is getting your wares to one of the many farmers markets that dot the landscape of this biggest little state.
For those of us who love to shop outdoors all summer long (and if you have kids isn’t that a lot better than pushing them around in a shopping cart with bad wheels? Run-free children!), we’re very lucky to have a thriving farmers market system to supply most of our summer-y good eats. Below are some of the biggest and best, some of which are more than just markets, they’re social events for easy livin’.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTSaunderstown: Coastal Growers Farmers Market
Saturdays 9am to 12pm, through October 30th
Casey Farm, 2325 Boston Neck Rd, Saunderstown
The grandfather of all the big farmers markets, Casey Farm hosts a party every Saturday morning, with farm fresh produce from Ledge Ends, Barden Family Orchard and Pat’s Pastured among many others. There’s also plenty of prepared goods from Seven Stars Bakery, Farmstead and Poblano Farms, along with artisans offering art, crafts and home goods.
Providence: Hope St. Farmers Market
Saturdays 9:30am to 12:30pm, through October 30th
Lippitt Park in Providence (at Hope St & Blackstone Blvd)
Perhaps I can call this the grandmother of the farmers markets. Can’t get all the way to South County? You’re in luck. Lippitt Park is also one big party on a Saturday morning with more vendors than the blogging foodies can Tweet about. Grab a coffee from New Harvest Roasters, a breakfast snack from Olga’s, load up on vegetables from Wishing Stone Farm or Arcadian Fields, how about some cheese from Narragansett Creamery. Seriously, I’m just scratching the surface here, there’s so much to see.
Middletown: Aquidneck Growers' Farmers Market
Saturdays 9am to 1pm, through October 30th
Newport Vineyards & Winery, 909 East Main Rd, Middletown
Can’t get off the Island on a Saturday morning, or coming from the East Bay? Here’s your best bet for good eats, plus you can kick off the day with a wine tasting. Look for Simmons Farm, Sweet Berry Farm and Maplewood Farm here along with products from Aquidneck Honey, Jack’s Snacks and the ubiquitous Farmstead and Olga’s.
Warwick: Goddard State Park Farmers Market
Fridays 9am to 1pm, through October 29th
Goddard State Park, 345 Ives Rd, Warwick
Another big one, though a little more freestyle in organization than Coastal Growers or Hope St. Conveniently located about halfway between Providence and South County for those RI’ers who really won’t drive, the Goddard Park Market is a great choice if you want to plan out your weekend eats before the weekend’s begun. The hours should make it easy enough to get there before work or during lunch.
Providence: Armory Farmers Market
Thursdays 3pm to 7pm, through October 28th
Parade St & Hudson St, Providence
If you’re looking for an evening market in Providence this one’s your best bet. A few more prepared foods than some of the others, but still a good selection of produce from Hill Orchards, Salisbury Farm and Red Planet Vegetables just to name a few.
East Greenwich: East Greenwich Farmers Market
Mondays 3pm to 6pm, OPENS June 21 through October 25th
Academy Field, Church St & Rector St, East Greenwich
So you shopped at one of the other markets and devoured everything over the weekend? Time to stock up for the week in East Greenwich. Definitely a more relaxed atmosphere than some of the bigger markets, this somewhat smaller market has been growing each year and I look forward to seeing which vendors have signed on for this season.
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