Fall Doesn’t Always Mean the End of Farmers Markets

In lots of cities, Farmers Markets tend to end in early fall. But here in Albuquerque, with our relatively mild winters, we can enjoy lots of great fresh, local food all year around - or for most of the year, at least.

If you’ve never been to a local farmers market, this is a great time to try one out and take advantage of the smaller crowds. Shopping at a farmers market is a lot different than shopping at a traditional grocery store. You’ll never know what you might find at a Farmers Market, so it may be best not to bring a list, and to create meals around what you found rather than the other way around. Also, the freshest items tend to sell early in the day, so if you hit any of these locations, do it in the morning, if possible. If you can’t make it until later, you may actually be able to ask for reduced prices!

Last week, the New Mexico Tourism Department wrote about a number of local farmers markets in the ABQ Journal, including the Albuquerque Downtown Growers’ Market, which has a special extended season this year, until November 2:

“Get Your Picks On Route 66” at the Albuquerque Downtown Growers’ Market. Located in the heart of downtown at 8th & Central Avenue, the Growers’ Market is open Saturday mornings, starting mid May, and runs through October. Give yourself plenty of time to shop amongst the 40+ vendors. www.downtowngrowers.com 

 ​Starting Saturday, November 9th, we are moving across the street to the space behind Java Joe's & Firenze Pizzeria for our WINTER MARKET!  Our regular season in Robinson Park is ending Nov 2nd, just in time for Parks & Rec to begin the restoration on the park (which will be complete in time for us to return in May 2014).  Our Winter Market will run every Saturday, 10am-2pm, Nov 9-Dec 21.  That's 7 weeks!  We're going to take a break in January, and hopefully kick Market off again in February.  We're working toward a completely year-round Market!  It's exciting!  And it will take some time for it to grow and settle in, so please stay tuned for more news!  

 The Santa Fe Farmers’ Market is New Mexico’s largest, with over 150 active vendors. In 2002, the Market began operating year-round in order to meet the ever-growing demand for fresh, local produce. Located in the Farmers’ Market Pavilion, 1607 Paseo de Peralta at Guadalupe, the Market is open Saturdays from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. in winter, and Saturdays & Tuesdays, 7 a.m. – 12 p.m. in summer (beginning in May). Don’t forget to check out the marvelous arts and crafts at the Railyard Artisan Market at the Market Pavilion on Sundays from 10 a.m. – 4p.m. www.santafefarmersmarket.com 

 The Red Willow Growers’ Market at Taos Pueblo is another New Mexico market that operates year-round. Red Willow heats its two greenhouses using an innovative biomass heating system. It is open to the public on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. All of the produce sold is grown at Taos Pueblo without pesticides, herbicides, or other chemicals. The summer market, which started in 2007 with three vendors, now has 20 vendors; the winter market has about seven growers.  

To read the complete article in ABQ Journal, click here.