Spring showers bring the taste of fresh, delicious spring fruits and vegetables to neighborhoods and communities. Explore and discover a variety of the season's ripest produce in one convenient place, a Farmers Market.

Most fruits and vegetables have a special peak time of year when they taste their best and are most abundant. In general, the more recently they've been picked, the better the fruits and vegetables taste. Here are some suggestions on finding, starting, or exploring a farmers market.

About Farmers Markets

Where: Often located in neighborhoods, business districts, hospitals, and colleges— can be an inside or outside facility.

Who: A collection of farmers (urban or rural), urban gardeners, and small food producers; such as, bakers and cheese makers.

What: Selling fruit, vegetables, and other foods they grew or made.

Explore: Farmers Markets are great places to try new fruits, vegetables, and other foods. Farmers and vendors often have samples of their product available for free taste tests. Each season at the Farmers Market will bring new and different foods. Walk around and you may discover an exciting taste or flavor.

Food and Nutrition Assistance Programs

Many farmers markets offer discounts through food and nutrition assistance programs. Some examples of these assistance programs include the following:

SNAP: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Bring your EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) card to the market, swipe it in a portable EBT processing machine at a central station, and you will receive a specific amount of tokens, in the amount you request, to spend at the market.

WIC: The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children offers the Farmer's Market Nutrition Program (FMNP). Receive your Farmers Market Vouchers from your local WIC representative.

Senior Vouchers: Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Programs (SFMNP)
Additional Resource: Fact Sheet on Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, developed by theFood Research and Action Center (FRAC).

Check with your local farmers market to see if they are able to offer these services, such as an EBT machine for processing SNAP benefits. If your market does not currently have the ability to participate in such programs, ask how you can assist them in acquiring the necessary equipment and resources.

Bringing Your Treasures Home

If you walk or ride a bike to the farmers market, remember to bring a sturdy, reusable bag or a bike basket to carry your fresh, delicious food home.

Finding Your Farmers Market

Explore the farmers' markets in your city, zip code, and state with this locating tool.

Foods You Might Find in the Spring

Some of the following fruits and vegetables should be in season and offered at your farmers market this March through May:

  • Aspargus
  • Spinach
  • Rhubarb
  • Peas: Snap Peas, Snow Peas, all kinds of peas
  • Green Onions
  • Lettuce
  • Artichoke
  • Fennel
  • Radishes
  • Cherries (late spring)

More Information

  • SNAP to Market is a resource designed for New York State, but offers some general information on buying foods with SNAP benefits at farmers markets.
    Frequently Asked Questions on SNAP and Farmers Markets, including what can and cannot be purchased with SNAP benefits.

  • USDA Wholesale and Farmers Markets is a guide produced by the Agricultural Marketing Service which includes information on farmers market programs, projects, funding sources, coalitions, statistics, and publications.

    If you do not have a farmers market nearby, consider starting one of your own, with the help of a guide such as—Homegrown:  South Carolina's Guide to Starting or Enhancing Your Community's Farmers' Market , whichwas created by Eat Smart Move More South Carolina. It is a step-by-step guide to creating, managing, and funding a local farmers market. It provides sample legal and promotional materials.

  • Page last reviewed: March 22, 2010
  • Page last updated: March 22, 2010
  • Content source: National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity