Spring is in full swing now, and everyone’s itching to get outdoors. Enjoy the beautiful weather at one of North Texas’ outdoor farmers markets this weekend, and grab some delicious fresh produce to make your day even better.
8 a.m. – 7 p.m., Monday – Saturday
10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Sunday
Browse the homemade salsas, hand-rolled tamales, and grass-fed/hormone-free beef and sausage sold at the Bedford Farmers Market. The friendly little market is open daily and also carries specialty items ranging from gourmet chocolates to local honey, which can help relieve the watery eyes and runny noses caused by those pesky North Texas allergens.
8 a.m. – noon, Saturday
This weekly farmers market offers a shaded pavilion to protect visitors from the blistering Texas sun. What’s fresh this week? Strawberries, hothouse tomatoes, spinach, salmon, fresh spices, sugar snap peas, pecans, and a whole lot more. You can also find artisan-produced items such as locally roasted coffee, salsa, and granola. If you’re new to the farmers market scene, check out this handy color-coded chart detailing what’s in season now, or meet the vendors beforehand.
8 a.m. – noon, Saturday
Head over to Fort Worth’s Cultural District for this popular local farmers market. Everything sold there is made or grown within 150 miles of Fort Worth, like Latte Da Dairy’s famous plain chévre, feta, and Caerphilly. Bring a reusable tote so you can take home some of Prairie Oasis Farms’ pastured chicken. Sometimes, there’s even an old-timey fiddle-and-guitar jam session happening nearby. Remember to arrive early, because your favorites might be sold out by mid-morning.
The Market | 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Monday – Sunday
The Shed | 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Friday and Sunday | 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday
This local institution has been serving downtown Dallas since 1941, but recently it has begun a welcome transformation. The market now consists of a 26,000-square-foot food hall and vendor market containing restaurants and a mix of local specialty foods, artisanal food vendors, and seating areas. Take in the Dallas skyline while stopping by vendors selling everything from beignets and macarons to tacos. Find the list of current vendors here. Use the DFM’s product search to see if what you’re looking for is offered this week. The Shed, an open-air pavilion, is also part of the Dallas Farmers Market and hosts a rotating lineup of local farmers and artisans. Don’t miss the other events offered by the Dallas Farmers Market, which include street performances, cooking classes, and yard sales.
8 a.m., Saturday
Don’t miss the fifth annual Main Street Fest, which is happening this weekend at the Grand Prairie Farmers Market and will feature plenty of live music. Expect crowds: last year’s festival attracted 15,000 visitors. The festival promises a great time for kids and parents alike; the carnival kicks off on Friday evening. The three-day event also includes a 5K for charity on Saturday. The Get Fit GP Run for Shelter 5K and 1-mile “Chase the Chiefs” fun run will benefit LifeLine Shelter for Families. The runs start at First United Methodist Church in Grand Prairie.
8 a.m. – 8 p.m., Monday – Saturday
9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Sunday
This outdoor farmers market used to be held at the Town Square Gazebo but recently moved to an indoor, year-round location. Check out the market’s Facebook page for photos of the fresh produce and baked goods available. Enjoy seasonal fruit from a family-run farm in Waxahachie and strawberries from a 65-year-old farm in Mexia. The market recently added Full Quiver Farms (yogurts and cheeses) and Texas Hill Country Olive Oil Company to its list of vendors. They offer plenty of samples, so stop in for a visit – even if you’re just browsing.
8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Saturday
Held at Lakeside Baptist Church near the Dallas Arboretum, you can find local produce or artisan foods and crafts almost year-round at this East Dallas farmers market, which began as White Rock Local Market in 2009. Visit vendors like O’Kelley Woodworks, Sanford Vintage Bikes, and That Cactus Guy for a variety of intriguing finds. The market also offers chef demos. Make a day of it by visiting the Arboretum after you check out the market this Saturday. Good Local Markets has become so popular, it also has a Vickery location.
Historic McKinney Farmers Market at Chestnut Square
8 a.m. – noon, Saturday
This cozy little local market feels like the farmers markets of yore. Browse the selection of organic fresh produce, jams and jellies, honey, fresh-cut flowers, baked goods, and grass-fed beef. There’s plenty of parking, and Dixie’s Store at Chestnut Square will be selling soda, old-fashioned candy, ice cream, crafts, and classic toys if you’re looking for some nostalgia.
