The Dane County Farmers' Market is America's largest producers-only farmers' market. It is held from April to November on Saturday mornings on the Capitol Square in Madison, Wisconsin[1] and on Wednesday mornings on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. From November to December, it is held indoors at the Monona Terrace. Since January 2020 it is held at the Garver Feed Mill in Monona through early April, when the outdoor market starts (previously the late winter market was held at the Senior Center on Mifflin St).
Throughout the year, a pool of about 275 vendors of agriculturally-related products from Wisconsin, including farmers, food trucks, artists, and more sell fruits, vegetables, flowers, plants, meats, cheeses, nuts, and specialty products. During the summer, the market hosts 150 vendors who completely encircle the state capitol.[2][3] USA Today listed it as the top-rated market in the state and it placed fifth for the country in a reader's poll.[4][5] Fox News said the Farmers' Market was one of the reasons why Madison is a top foodie paradise.[6]
The farmers' market was founded in 1972 by Madison Mayor Bill Dyke, who sought to unite Dane County's urban and rural cultures.[7] It is currently managed by the Dane County Farmers' Market co-op.[8][9]
References
edit- ^ "Dane County Farmers Market". Retrieved 2012-10-21.
- ^ "About". Dane County Farmers’ Market. Retrieved 2017-10-31.
- ^ "About the Market". Archived from the original on August 24, 2007. Retrieved September 22, 2007.
- ^ "50 states: 50 farmers markets". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2017-10-31.
- ^ "10Best Readers' Choice: Food favorites announced!". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2017-10-31.
- ^ Rupersburg, Nicole (2013-09-13). "Forget New York: Why Madison, Wis. is a top foodie paradise". Fox News. Retrieved 2017-10-31.
- ^ Mike Muckian. "Farmers' market brings consumers, producers together". Wisconsin Gazette, April 20, 2012. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
- ^ "Market History". Archived from the original on 2007-08-20. Retrieved 2007-09-22.
- ^ Carpenter, Mary; Carpenter, Quentin (2003). The Dane County Farmers' Market: A Personal History. Univ of Wisconsin Press. ISBN 9780299184643.