It's time for the farmers markets

The summer farmers market season has begun, with a bumper crop of markets springing up around the metro area and statewide. Consumer demand is fueling that growth, and there are plenty of reasons why more and more shoppers are flocking to local markets, said Ruth White, state programs administrator for the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.

   First off, there's the freshness factor. "This is food that hasn't traveled who knows how many miles," she said. "It was raised nearby, and probably picked that morning. And because it hasn't gone on an around-the-world tour, this is food with a greater nutritional value."

   It's also face-to-face shopping. "At farmers markets, shoppers can talk directly with growers," she said. "They can learn all about how the food was raised; they can ask questions about preparing it. People want to know where their food is coming from. It's a food safety issue."

   Markets are also good for the community. "It provides farmers with income, and that generated income then stays in the community," she said. Oh, yeah -- they're also fun. "The market becomes a community event, a social gathering place," White said. "They're bringing communities together, and that's important."

ANDOVER

St. Paul Farmers Market, 13655 Round Lake Blvd. (Grace Lutheran Church), 651-227-6856. 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays, June 17-Oct. 28.

ANOKA

Anoka County Farmers Market, site to be determined. 763-792-4025. 2 to 6 p.m. Thursdays, July 17-Oct. 16.

APPLE VALLEY

St. Paul Farmers Market, 7100 W. 147th St. (City Hall), 651-227-6856. 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays, June 14-Oct. 25.

BLAINE

Anoka County Farmers Market, 707 89th Av. NE. (St. Timothy's Catholic Church), 763-792-4025. 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays, through Oct. 25. Also Tuesdays 2 to 6 p.m., July 15-Oct. 14.

BLOOMINGTON

Bloomington Farmers Market, 1800 W. Old Shakopee Rd. (Bloomington Civic Plaza), 952-563-8877, www.ci.bloomington.mn.us. 7 a.m. to noon Saturdays, June 14-Oct. 11.

BROOKLYN PARK

Brooklyn Park Farmers Market, 8717 Zane Av. N. (Zane Sports Park), 763-493-8013, www.brooklynpark.org. 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays, June 18-Oct. 8.

BUFFALO

Buffalo Farmers Market, 1st St. NE. and 1st Av. S., 763-682-3758. 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays, through Oct. 25.

BURNSVILLE

St. Paul Farmers Market, 318 W. Burnsville Pkwy. (Diamondhead Education Center), 651-227-6856. 7 a.m. to noon Saturdays, June 14-Oct. 25.

CHANHASSEN

Chanhassen Farmers Market, 78th St. and Market Blvd. (City Center Park), 952-442-2112. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays, June 6-Oct. 25.

CHAMPLIN

Champlin Farmers Market, 12165 Ensign Av. (Ice Forum at Champlin), 763-923-7163, www.ci.champlin.mn.us. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesdays, July 9-Oct. 8.

COLUMBIA HEIGHTS

Anoka County Farmers Market, 4030 Jackson St. NE. (Church of the Immaculate Conception), 763-792-4025. 2 to 6 p.m. Thursdays, July 17-Oct. 16.

DELANO

Delano Farmers Market, Hwy. 12 and County Line Rd. (Flippin' Bill's), 952-955-2080. 2 to 6 p.m. Wednesdays, through Oct. 29.

EAGAN

Eagan Market Fest, 1501 Central Pkwy. (Eagan Community Center), 651-675-5550, www.cityofeagan.com. 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays, July 9-Sept. 24.

ELK RIVER

Elk River Farmers Market, 18599 Gary St. (Orono Park), 763-635-1153, www.ci.elk-river.mn.us. 3 to 7 p.m. Thursdays, June 5-Sept. 25.

EXCELSIOR

Excelsior Farmers Market, Water St. between George and 3rd Sts. (Lyman Park), 952-474-5330. 2 to 6 p.m. Thursdays, through Oct. 23.

FALCON HEIGHTS

St. Paul Farmers Market, 2025 Larpenteur Av. (Twin City Co-op Federal Credit Union), 651-227-6856. 7:30 a.m. to noon Tuesdays, through Oct. 28.

FOREST LAKE

Forest Lake Farmers Market, E. Broadway and 1st St. NE. (Lakeside Memorial Park), 651-209-9723, www.ci.forest-lake.mn.us. 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays, June 17-Sept. 30.

HASTINGS

Hastings Farmers Market, Hwy. 55 and Pleasant Dr. (Westview Shopping Center), 651-437-8573. 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays, June 21-Oct. 25.

HOPKINS

Hopkins Farmers Market, 16 9th Av. S., 952-936-9458. 7:30 a.m. to noon Saturdays, June 21-Oct. 25.

HUGO

St. Paul Farmers Market, 14383 Forest Blvd. N. (St. John the Baptist Church), 651-227-6856. 3 to 6:30 p.m. Thursdays, June 19-Oct. 30.

INVER GROVE HEIGHTS

Inver Grove Heights Farmers Market, 8055 Barbara Av. (Veterans Memorial Community Center), 761-554-3452, www.ci-inver-grove-heights.mn.us. 3 to 6 p.m. Thursdays, June 12-Sept. 25.

LAKEVILLE

St. Paul Farmers Market, Holyoke Av. and 208th St. W., 651-227-6856. Noon to 5 p.m. Wednesdays, June 18-Oct. 29.

MAPLE GROVE

Maple Grove Farmers Market, 12951 Weaver Lake Rd. (Maple Grove Community Center), 763-494-5955, www.ci.maple-grove.mn.us. 3 to 7 p.m. Thursdays, June 12-Oct. 23.

MAPLEWOOD

St. Paul Farmers Market, 1850 N. White Bear Av. (Aldrich Arena), 651-227-6856. 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesdays, through Oct. 29.

MINNEAPOLIS

Kingfield Farmers Market, 43rd St. and Nicollet Av. S., 612-823-5980 ext. 3, www.kingfield.org. 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sundays, June 1-Oct. 12.

 Midtown Farmers Market, Lake St. and 22nd Av. S., 612-724-7457, www.midtownfarmersmarket.org. 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays, through Oct. 25. Also 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, July 8-Oct. 21.

Mill City Farmers Market, 2nd St. and Chicago Av. S. (Mill City Museum train shed), 612-341-7580, www.millcityfarmersmarket.org. 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays, May 10-Oct. 18.

Minneapolis Farmers Market, 312 East Lyndale Av. N., 612-333-1718, www.mplsfarmersmarket.com. 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. daily, through Dec. 25.

Minneapolis Farmers Market, Nicollet Mall between 5th and 12th Sts., 612-333-1718, www.mplsfarmersmarket.com. 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursdays, through Nov. 8.

Northeast Farmers Market, University and 7th Avs. NE. (St. Boniface Catholic Church), 612-378-8886, www.stawno.org. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays, June 7-Oct. 25.

University of Minnesota Farmers Market, Church Street Mall, 612-626-4161. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays, July 9-Oct. 8.

MONTICELLO

Monticello Farmers Market, 505 Walnut St. (Monticello Community Center), www.ci.monticello.mn.us. Thursdays 3:30 to 7 p.m. through Oct. 30.

MOUND

Lake Minnetonka Farmers Market, 5229 Shoreline Dr. (Stonegate Plaza), 952-955-1828. 1 to 5 p.m. Mondays, 1 to 5 p.m. Wednesdays and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays, July 5-Oct. 26.

NORTH ST. PAUL

North St. Paul Farmers Market, 2490 E. 7th Av. (River of God Church), 651-485-5920, www.nstpaulevents.com. 3 to 8 p.m. Fridays, June 27-Aug. 29.

OSSEO

Osseo Farmers Market, Central Av. and 5th St. NE. (Boerboom Park), 763-425-1454, www.ci.osseo.mn.us. 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays, July 8-Sept. 16.

PRIOR LAKE

Prior Lake Farmers Market, Hwy. 13 and Pleasant Av., 952-447-0263. 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays, through Oct. 25. www.priorlakefarmersmarket.com

RICHFIELD

Richfield Farmers Market, 6335 Portland Av. S. (Veterans Memorial Park pavilion), 612-861-9385, www.richfieldfarmersmarket.org. 7 a.m. to noon Saturdays, through Oct. 25.

ROSEMOUNT

St. Paul Farmers Market, 13885 S. Robert Trail, 651-228-6856. 2 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays, June 24-Sept. 23.

ST. LOUIS PARK

Farmers Market on the Plaza, 3700 Monterey Dr. (Rec Center plaza), 952-928-2850, www.stlouispark.org. 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays, July 9-Sept. 24.

ST. PAUL

St. Paul Farmers Market, 290 E. 5th St., 651-227-6856,www.stpaulfarmersmarket.com. 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays, through Nov. 15.

St. Paul Farmers Market, 7th Pl. between St. Peter and Wabasha Sts., 651-227-6856. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays, June 17-Sept. 23. Also 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursdays, June 12-Oct. 23.

St. Paul Farmers Market, 1079 Summit Av. (St. Thomas More Catholic Church), 651-227-6856. 1:15 to 5 p.m. Fridays, May 9-Oct. 31.

SAVAGE

St. Paul Farmers Market, Hwy. 13 and 123rd St., 651-227-6856. 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays, June 22-Oct. 12.

SHOREVIEW

Shoreview Farmers Market, 4580 N. Victoria St. (Shoreview Community Center), 651-490-4734, www.ci.shoreview.mn.us. 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays, June 10-Oct.21.

SOUTH ST. PAUL

St. Paul Farmers Market, 600 Marie Av. (Central Square Park), 651-227-6856. 3 to 6 p.m. Wednesdays, June 25-Sept. 24.

STILLWATER

Stillwater Farmers Market, 3rd St. and E. Pine St., 651-430-0119. 7:30 a.m. to noon Saturdays, June 14-Oct. 25.

WEST ST. PAUL

St. Paul Farmers Market, E. Butler Av. and S. Robert St. (Signal Hills shopping center), 651-227-6856. 8 a.m. to noon Fridays, June 20-Oct. 31.

WHITE BEAR LAKE

City of White Bear Lake Farmers Market, Washington Av. between 3rd and 4th Sts., 651-429-8566, www.whitebearlake.org. 8 a.m. to noon Fridays, June 27-Oct. 31.

WOODBURY

St. Paul Farmers Market, Radio Drive near Valley Creek Rd. (near YMCA), 651-227-6856. 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays, June 22-Oct. 26.

St. Paul Farmers Market, Woodbury Dr. and Hudson Rd. (City Walk), 651-227-6856. 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays, July 2-Sept. 3.

CAMBRIDGE

Cambridge Farmers Market, 122 N. Buchanan St. (City Center Market), 763-689-4640. 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays, though Oct. 25.

MANKATO

Mankato Farmers Market, 1400 Madison Av. (Madison East Center), 507-420-8711, www.mankatofarmersmarket.com. Saturdays 8 a.m., Tuesdays 3:30 to 6 p.m. and Thursdays 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., through Nov. 1.

NEW PRAGUE

New Prague Farmers Market, 500 County Rd. 37, 952-758-3717. 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays, May 17-Oct. 25. Also 3 to 6 p.m. Wednesdays, June 18-Oct. 22.

PRINCETON

Princeton Farmers Market, 111 S. Rum River Dr. (Princeton Mall), 763-389-2567, www.pzfarmersmarket.org. 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturdays, through Oct. 25.

RED WING

Red Wing Farmers Market, 315 W. 4th St. (City Hall), 651-258-4233, www.redwing farmersmarket.com. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, May 31 to Oct. 31.

ROCHESTER

Rochester Downtown Farmers Market, 4th Av. and 4th St. SE., 507-273-8232, www.rochesterdowntownfarmersmarket.org. 7:30 a.m. to noon Saturdays, through Oct. 25.

ST. CLOUD

St. Cloud Area Farmers Market, 1100 W. St. Germain St. (Bremer Bank), www.stcloudfarmersmarket.com. Saturdays 8 a.m. to noon, through Oct. 25.

WINONA

Winona Farmers Market, 2nd St. and Main St., 507-932-5581, www.farmwinona.org. 7:30 a.m. to noon Saturdays and 2 to 5 p.m. Wednesdays, through Oct. 25.