Mark your calendars and get your tote bags ready, locavores! On April 4th our beloved Boulder Farmers’ Market returns to 13th Street next to Central Park. It’s been a long winter but we’ll finally have weekly access to the Market’s fresh produce and homemade products again.
Established back in 1987, the Boulder Farmers’ Market now has about 150 participating members. The vendors include professional Colorado farmers growing various produce on many acres of land, hobbyist farmers with smaller plots, bakers and food retailers, as well as local artists and crafters.
Produce Vendors
Throughout the Market’s season you’ll find Colorado grown (and often certified organic) produce, including tree-ripened fruit like apples and peaches, berries, watermelons, and a variety of leafy greens and vegetables.
Black Cat Farms, one of the more popular vendors from 2014, will be returning this season. In addition to their farm-to-table bistro in Downtown Boulder, Black Cat is part of the city’s CSA program and has a booth at the Market. Their freshly harvested produce for sale includes salad greens and seasonal heirloom veggies. They also host cooking demos and share recipes at their stand.
Ela Family Farms is one of the Market’s oldest vendors, proudly farming for four generations in Colorado since 1907. Their organic certified farm grows berries, cherries, peaches, plums, apples, pears, grapes, and heirloom tomatoes. In addition to their fresh produce, Ela Family Farms also sells homemade jams, applesauce, slices of apple pie, cider, and dried fruit at the Market.
Specialty Products
At the Market you’ll also find other local products and packaged foods including flower bouquets, cured or butchered meats, eggs, raw honey from Backyard Bees, artisan pasta by Pappardelle’s, goat cheese from Haystack Mountain, kombucha by Rowdy Mermaid, jarred preserves by MM Local, and handcrafted organic granola by Boulder Granola.
But the Farmers’ Market isn’t just a great place to shop; it’s a great place to eat and hang out, too! There’s ample seating, live music, and several food vendors where you can grab breakfast or lunch. You can get a freshly brewed cup of coffee from Silver Canyon and pair it with a delicious pastry from one of the bakery booths, like Breadworks, Shamane’s, or the gluten-free Outrageous Baking. There’s also a diverse selection of food trucks and stands including Amaizing Corn Tamales, Tres Pupas, and Heirloom Food Truck.
The Boulder Farmers’ Market is an indispensible part of our community, bringing amazing local products from passionate farmers and food crafters to the city’s enthusiastic foodies and conscious shoppers. The Market runs from April to November and is open Saturdays from 8am to 2pm, as well as Wednesday nights from 4 to 8pm starting May through October.