Enjoy the experience and embrace the vibrant, community-oriented atmosphere of shopping at farmers markets. Explore the different stalls, engage with vendors, and connect with fellow shoppers. Farmers markets offer more than just shopping—they provide a chance to build relationships, discover new flavors, and support the local food system.

With over 300 farmers markets around the state, each market in Wisconsin is unique to the community it serves and almost all markets are run independently from one another.

Here are some general suggestions and information for supporting all farmers markets:

Find a Market

Determine the location and operating hours of the farmers market you plan to visit. Check our “Find A Market” tool, the market's website, social media pages, or local community calendar for this information. Farmers markets in Wisconsin typically operate during the growing season, which is generally from spring to fall, but there are many that operate a winter farmers market as well, often in a different location than its summer market counterpart. Special events may occasionally relocate or cancel a market, so be sure to check the schedule ahead of time.

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Seasonal Produce

Familiarize yourself with the abundance of Wisconsin’s seasonal availability of fruits, vegetables, and other products. This knowledge will help you plan your shopping and meals accordingly, ensuring you can enjoy the freshest, locally grown produce. Thanks to season extension and storage, Wisconsin produce can be found year-round.

See this calendar to see when you can find Wisconsin vegetables (Spanish version).

Guidelines and Rules

Review the farmers market's guidelines or rules to understand any specific regulations or requirements, such as health and safety policies, pet policies, inclement weather policy, or rules regarding vendor selection and product eligibility. This information is best found on a farmers market’s website or their communications. Use our “Find a Market” tool

Payment Options

Farmers market vendors typically accept various payment methods, including cash, credit/debit cards, and Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards for eligible products. Some markets run credit card transactions at a central location and give tokens or vouchers to use with the vendors.

Cash and Small Bills: While many farmers markets accept credit/debit cards, it's still a good idea to bring some cash, particularly small bills. Some vendors may prefer or only accept cash payments, and having exact change will make transactions smoother.

Price Comparison: Be aware that prices at farmers markets may differ from those at grocery stores. Factors such as smaller-scale production, organic or sustainable farming methods, and the quality of locally sourced products contribute to the pricing. Remember that supporting local farmers and artisans by paying fair prices benefits the local economy and sustainable agriculture.

Food Access

SNAP/EBT, WIC, and Senior Vouchers

Check if the market accepts Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or offers food access incentive/double dollar programs, which provide matching funds for SNAP purchases. WIC and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) vouchers are available to use throughout many markets in Wisconsin as well, and some double dollar programs may apply for FMNP benefits too. Markets must be approved to run SNAP or FMNP programs, and vendors must be approved to accept FMNP vouchers. Often there is a central location like an Info Booth where market staff can help a customer use or answer questions about these nutrition benefits. Our “Find a Market” tool indicates which markets accept nutrition benefits.

Apply for SNAP (Wisconsin FoodShare benefits)
WIC FMNP Information
Senior FMNP Information
How to shop with SNAP benefits, WIC and Senior Vouchers at farmers markets

Questions for Vendors

Don't hesitate to engage with the vendors. Ask questions about their farming practices (ie: what does “organic”/“naturally grown”/“sustainably grown” mean?), the origin of their products (ie: “is it local/are you the person who grows or makes it”?), or any other information you'd like to know. Farmers and artisans are often passionate about their work and happy to share insights and tips.

Farming Systems Info

Come Prepared

In addition to knowing what you might find seasonally at the market and what rules or guidelines you need to be aware of, here are some additional things to consider:

Shopping Bags and Containers: Bring clean, reusable shopping bags or baskets to carry your purchases. Farmers markets generally do not provide reusable bags unless a sponsor has a limited amount available, or the market may charge for branded bags. Consider bringing small containers or bags for delicate items like berries or fragile produce to ensure their safe transport.

Seasonal Recipes and Meal Planning: Consider researching seasonal recipes and meal ideas that incorporate the produce typically available at the farmers market. This will help you make the most of your purchases and enjoy delicious meals using local, fresh ingredients.

Get Involved

Markets are often in need of volunteers to help set-up, staff, or take-down the market day-of, or might need volunteers to serve on a board of directors or a committee. Many markets will accept monetary donations for their operating costs or for nutrition incentive programs as well. If you want to help make farmers markets happen, reach out to your local market and see how you can help. “Find a Market” tool.

FOR SHOPPERS