America's Top 10 Farmers’ Markets & 4 Farm-Fresh Recipes

Grilled Chicken & Polenta with Nectarine-Blackberry Salsa

I’m lucky to live in Vermont— we have so many great farmers’ markets. And each one has its own flavor with different farmers, produce, prepared-food vendors, craftspeople and musicians.

Vermont’s not alone in its wealth of markets. According to the USDA, there were 4,385 organized, local markets across the country in 2006, a dramatic 18 percent rise since 2004.

So EatingWell polled its readers to find America’s Best Farmers’ Markets. Did your market make the list? If not, visit our America’s Best Farmers’ Markets story to share your favorite market. Here are our favorite top five, followed by the five runners-up.

Dane County Farmers’ Market, Madison, WI
Ferry Plaza Farmers Market, San Francisco, CA
Portland Farmers Market, Portland, OR
Sunset Valley Farmers Market, Sunset Valley, TX
Union Square Greenmarket, New York, NY
Boulder County Farmers’ Market, Boulder, CO
Capital City Farmers’ Market, Montpelier, VT
Santa Fe Farmers Market, Santa Fe, NM
Simply Homegrown, Clayton, GA
Santa Cruz River Farmers’ Market, Tucson, AZ

The best part about all these farmers’ markets? The food! Here are four delicious, farm-fresh recipes to make the most of your market bounty:

Corn & Tomato Saute This quick sauté makes great use of two summer classics—corn and tomatoes.

Grilled Chicken & Polenta with Nectarine-Blackberry Salsa Grilled nectarines and fresh blackberries turn into a summery salsa to top cumin-rubbed chicken and polenta in a dish that’s special (and fast) enough for weeknight entertaining.

Grilled Peaches & Angel Food Cake with Red-Wine Sauce Ready in just 30 minutes! Grilling luscious seasonal fruit is the perfect way to end an outdoor celebration. Here, peaches soften and caramelize over a moderate fire before melding with a fruity red-wine sauce and toasted slices of (store-bought) angel food cake.

Green Bean Salad with Corn, Basil & Black Olives This vibrant summer salad goes well with just about any entree.

To find a farmers’ market near you: localharvest.org or www.ams.usda.gov/farmersmarkets/.

By Michelle Edelbaum

Michelle is the associate editor of interactive for EatingWell Media Group. In between editing and writing, she enjoys sampling the tasty results of the easy, healthy recipes that the EatingWell Test Kitchen cooks are working on.

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From the Community…

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Posted by lordofpizza Sat May 31, 2008 12:27pm PDT

Seriously, how can you write about farmers markets without mentioning the Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia. It's THE farmers market.

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Posted by garys_business Sun Jun 1, 2008 8:24am PDT

I am a little Surprised that there are no farmers markets in central Florida

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Posted by anthony s Sun Jun 1, 2008 10:30am PDT

I'm pretty surprised myself that there aren't any markets noted in the So.Maryland,Virginia area. I love the Amishs'fruits and veggies

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Posted by evek45 Sun Jun 1, 2008 2:11pm PDT

I live in New York State where there are farmers markets galore! There is one in Syracuse, NY on Tues. where farms from the area bring their fruits and vegtables. Soon we will be having homegrown strawberries.I love the fact there is so much variety. We also have the Amish and their homemade baked goods. There is also farmstands along country roads. What more can I say?

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Posted by poverby5977 Sun Jun 1, 2008 3:22pm PDT

I live in St. Louis and belive we have one of the best Farmers Markets in the country. The Soulard Farmers Market has been at the same location for many many years. Not only are the meats, fish and produce fresh, but you can feed a family of 5 for pennies. With prices the way they are now, our Farmers Market is not only healthier, but it is the most economical. St. Louis loves its Farmers Market

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Posted by letstalkhealth Sun Jun 1, 2008 4:08pm PDT

There is a green market in Miami, FLorida and Las Olas Blvd., Ft., Lauderdale, which has whole fruits, vegetables and a whole lot more. You can also visit my website at www.getintoyourhealth.com for more information on whole fruits, vegetables and grains.

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Posted by Teach Sun Jun 1, 2008 7:31pm PDT

To follow up on Poverby's comment, the Soulard Market in St Louis is the oldest farmer's market west of the Mississippi River. It is filled with tradition and history, and lots of yummy food! I have to agree that the Portland Market is top 5.

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Posted by Cheri53 Mon Jun 2, 2008 6:01am PDT

I love this page. Have not seen it before. I moved from Portland, Oregon to Chattanooga, Tn 5 years ago. We have farmer's market's here, but always nice to see something from home. Portland is # 3.. that is very good.

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Posted by bonedog Mon Jun 2, 2008 6:04am PDT

how about the Farmers Market in Lancaster PA. Only the oldest one in the country!!!!!!!!

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Posted by local Mon Jun 2, 2008 6:31pm PDT

No offense intended to all the wonderful markets across the nation but where else can you get the variety of organic produce all year round that we get here in central California? Really. from artichokes to citrus, strawberries to melon. There really is no comparison. We grow it all; walnuts, olives, apricots, grapes, pumpkins, corn all year round. There are way more than one (S.F.) market that should be on this list. Pennsylvania? Vermont? Greenhouses for eight months a year...

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