Hungry For Produce Fresh From A Farmers Market?

One of the best things about spring and summer are the farmers markets. The colors and scents alone are a feast for passersby. The vendors' tables beginning to buckle under the abundance of a lush harvest--succulent tomatoes, peppers, green beans, sweet corn, strawberries and more. The variety inspires cooks and artisans to bake breads, make cheeses and cook bountiful meals. All of these can be found in area farmers markets, although Creve Coeur residents will have to escape their boundaries and explore other local cities.

ELLISVILLE COMMUNITY FARMERS' MARKET
Market Location and Hours: Ellisville Community Farmers' Market is held 4-7 p.m. on Thursdays from June to October in Bluebird Park, rain or shine.
Offerings: Local offerings are the focus of this market: Fruits, vegetables, herbs, plants, meat, eggs, honey and cheese. Market vendors also come packing baked goods, homemade dog treats, handmade soap, wool and handspun yarns, handmade jewelry and more. Don't miss the organic olive oil, organic tea or fair trade and organic and locally roasted coffee.
Extras: Listen to live music while eating barbecue and other goodies, which can be eaten at one of the bistro tables or taken to go. Local beer, wine, juice, iced tea and water are available. The Children's Market area has hands-on arts and crafts projects. This is a producers-only market and supports the local growers and producers of seasonal and sustainable food, locally branded food products and artisan wares.

WILDWOOD FARMERS' MARKET
Market Location and Hours: The Wildwood Farmers’ Market is held from 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturdays May 15-October 9 in the Wildwood Town Center on Fountain and Plaza.
Offerings: Vendors this year include Sunny Creek Farm, Odelehr Farms, PM BBQ, Silpada Designs, 212 Degrees of Wellness,  A Couple O’Jerks, Eilerman Farms, Clancy’s Marketplace, Miller’s Organics, Stickling Farms, For the Birds, Tru Glitz, Little Dipper Chocolate, Wildwood Chiropractic, Black Birch, Sweet Anny’s Soaps, Terrie’s Jewelry & Accessories, God’s Gifts, Pure Elegance, Route 66 Organics, Osage Farms and County Kona.
Extras: Live music is offered.

KIRKWOOD FARMERS' MARKET
Market Location and Hours: Kirkwood Farmers' Market is held from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday with varying hours on Sunday at the intersection of E. Argonne Drive and Taylor Avenue.
Offerings: Market vendors provide produce, poultry, meat, seafood and cheese. Vendors include Baalman Produce, CJ's Produce & Plants, Farrar Out Farm Organic Produce & Poultry, Healthy Harvest Gardens, On the Wind, Summit Produce, Baetje Farms and The Cheese People. Cut flowers and bedding plants are sold by Cat's Gardens and Missouri Wildflowers Nursery.
Extras: Prepared food and baked goods are offered by vendors, including Adventures in Spice, Brad's Kettle Korn, Cafe Manila, El Chico Bakery, Great Harvest Bread Co., Healthy Harvest Gardens, Mangia Pasta, Princess Delights, Russ' Ribs and BBQ and Tropical Moose Shaved Ice. Enjoy these foods with live music on Saturdays in June, July and August.

CLAYTON FARMERS' MARKET
Market Location and Hours: The Clayton Farmers' Market is held at 8282 Forsyth Blvd., west of Straub's 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturdays from May 7 to November 5.
Offerings: Promoting local producers, regional products, organic items are the focus at the Clayton Farmer's Market well as other unique or seasonal specialties, and to educate the public about the preparation of local seasonal food. All items for sale are made in Missouri or Illinois, focusing on homegrown, homemade or hand-crafted products.
Extras: Just for fun the market has live bands, children's activities, chef demonstrations and wine tastings.
 
MAPLEWOOD FARMERS' MARKET
Market Location and Hours: The Maplewood Farmers' Market is held from 4-7 p.m. every Wednesday at Schlafly Bottleworks, April-October.
Offerings: Farm fresh eggs, pork, lamb, beef, herbs, mushrooms, artisan loaves, flowers, pasta and chocolate are sold at this lively market. Vendors include 4 Seasons Baked Goods, Baetje Farms, Berger Bluff, Biver Farm, Black Bear Bakery, Blue Heron Orchard, Centennial Farms, Claverach Farms, Deep Mud Farm, Earthdance Farm, El Chico Bakery, Esthers Honey, Farrar Out Farm, Grandma’s Nuts, Hinkebein Hills Farm, Ivan’s Farm, Kakao Chocolates, Mangia Italia, Marcoot Jersey Creamery, Moder Valley Nursery, Missouri Grass Fed Beef, Murray’s Orchard, Ozark Forest Mushroom, Ozark Harvest Farms, Prairie Grass, Red House Farm, Rootcellar, Salume Beddu, SLU/Maplewood/Richmond Heights School District, Sunflower Savannah and Three Rivers Farm CSA.
Extras: Great live music is available each week, and outdoor dining on the covered  Schlafly Bottleworks patio is available. While shopping for your goodies directly from producers, enjoy fresh Schlafly beer.

On the second Wednesday of each month between May and October, Slow Food St. Louis and the Schlafly Bottleworks host SLOWednesday after the Maplewood Farmers’ Market. During SLOWednesdays, a different farmer from the market will talk about farming. This gives attendees the chance to learn about foods available, its origins and the farmers that bring it to you. The talks take place in the Crown Room at 7:30 p.m. SLOWednesdays are free and open to the public. The chefs at Schlafly Bottleworks will create a menu special utilizing products from the featured farm. Food and drink is an additional cost.


Market Location and Hours: The market is on South Old Orchard Avenue and Big Bend Boulevard, from 3-7 p.m. every Thursday, May-October.
Offerings: Fresh, local and seasonal produce as well as flowers, meats, eggs, cheeses, breads, honey, nuts, plants, herbs, pastas, condiments and more
Extras:  Enjoy live music, chef demonstrations and kids activities every week.

FERGUSON FARMERS' MARKET
Market Location and Hours: The market is from 8 a.m.-noon Saturdays, APril-October at 20 South Florissant Rd., in the heart of the Ferguson Citywalk district.
Offerings: Each week local vendors within 100 miles of the market bring you fresh fruits and veggies, all picked within 24 hours of the market, as well as homemade jelly, farm fresh eggs, nuts, honey, spices, organic meats, cut flowers, bedding, hand-painted artwork and small-batch soaps.
Extras: Prepared foods, live music, artists and crafts people join the market each week. There is also a special event tent each week. These events include food festivals and local chef demonstrations (first Saturday of the month) and chef throw downs, sheep shearing, children's art activities, farmer demonstrations and samplings,  and ice cream socials. A trolley ride and tour of the oldest local organic farm in Missouri takes place on certain Saturdays.

TOWER GROVE FARMERS' MARKET
Market Location and Hours: The market is 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. every Saturday, May-November in Tower Grove Park, West of the Whitaker Theater at the Pool Pavilion.
Offerings: Vendors include Baetje Farms, Bittersweet Bakery, Biver Farms, Black Bear Bakery, Buila Family Farm, Centennial Farms, City Seeds Urban Farm, Companion Baking, del Carmen, Double Star Farms, Farm Fresh Cupcakes, Fats Pierre, Freeland's Vegetable & Berry, Greenwood Farms, Intl Institute STL, Ivan's Fig Farm, Kakao Chocolate, Kimker Hill Farm, Kuva Coffee, La Vista CSA, Liberty Farms, Live Springs Berries & Produce, Live Springs Farm, Mangia Pasta, Marcoot Jersey Creamery, Missouri Grass Fed Beef, Murray's Orchard, Our Garden, Ozark Forest Mushrooms, Queen's Cuisine, Robins Apiaries, Salume Beddu, Silent Oaks Farm, Sunflower Savannah, The Big Cheese, The Farmers' Larder, Three Rivers Community Farm, Traveling Tea, Wild Thyme Farm and Yoder Produce.
Extras: Free yoga classes start at 9 a.m. every Saturday and are led by Sat Inder Singh Kalsa. The market is next to a wading pool and large playground, which is great for families. Music also livens the atmosphere at this growers-only market,

SOULARD FARMERS' MARKET
Market Location and Hours: The market is located at 730 Carroll street and is open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays when the Grand Hall, some outside produce vendors and the pet shop are open, 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Fridays when the Grand Hall, more inside and outside vendors including produce, meat, fish, flowers, cheese and the pet shop are open, and 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m Saturdays when 100 percent of the market is open. The market is open year-round. The market is closed Sunday through Tuesday.
Offerings: The market features locally grown and shipped in goods, including: produce, spices, meats, fish, eggs, flowers, herbs and more.
Extras: The benefit of shopping at Soulard Market is the markedly lower prices on produce. Occasionally the market offers chef demonstrations and special events.