Outdoor Farmers Markets Are Back in Full Swing for the Season

The Mill City Farmers Market sets up outdoors in Mill Ruins Park near the riverfront on Saturdays from May through October, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in summer and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in October, with more than 115 rotating farmers, food makers and artists. Founded in 2006 by chef and whole-foods educator Brenda Langton near the Guthrie Theater, Mill City built its identity around groceries people cook with, produce, meat, dairy and bread, rather than a craft fair with snacks.

The older and larger Minneapolis Farmers Market, at 312 East Lyndale Avenue North, runs 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday through October. The market warns that parking is significantly reduced this year because of construction on the METRO Green Line Extension's Royalston Avenue/Farmers Market station, the line's first new stop, which is expected to open in 2027.

Both markets accept SNAP and EBT and offer Market Bucks matching to stretch those dollars. Market operators have said SNAP disruptions this year have sharpened the stakes for the families who rely on the benefit and for the vendors whose sales depend on it.

Closer to home, the Uptown Farmers Market runs Thursdays from 4 to 8 p.m., June 11 through Sept. 24, at the Lagoon and Girard plaza, and LHENA's Mega Mueller Market adds occasional market days at Mueller Park in the Wedge.