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You might say that I'm a farmer's market junkie. I was raised on a farm, have visited farmer's markets in maybe 20 states (even Kauai, Hawaii!) and a handful of other countries, and am a really, really strong believer in the organic/local food movement.
That being said, I have to say that the AA Farmer's Market is quite extraordinary. If you understand the Michigan growing season, you'll never be disappointed with the variety. If you're want organic and/or Amish produce... lots of choices there. Bulk produce? Sure... but be sure to come at peak season. Flowers, seedlings, and crafts? Yes, yes, yes...
What *might* be said the be lacking, however, is the availability of cheeses and meats. Zingerman's Creamery is there, and a couple of raw/frozen meat vendors, but the choices seem somewhat limited. Being a market for local farmers, you perhaps can't expect too much variety in these departments, but I'd think that there are more than a couple local producers of cheese. Who knows though... Luckily, Sparrow's Meat Market, Monahan's Fish Market, and Zingerman's Deli are all within walking distance.
First of all: organic farmers are so cool. I mean, they're cool because they grow things without pesticides and help save the earth and our general health and well-being, but they're also just so *cool*. Like, girl with shaved zig-zags in her hair and nose rings cool. Who knew digging in the dirt could be so hip? Makes me love buying my produce here even more.
For a small town, this farmers market is pretty rad. There is a lot of variety, tons of growers, flowers, honey, lovely-smelling soaps, and handmade coolness. And everything is pretty inexpensive. I got 4 huge squashes last weekend for 2 bucks. $2!
Even if you don't buy anything, browsing around the stalls here is a feast for the eyes, there is just natural beauty everywhere. Entertainment and nourishment = yay!
Farmers market is great but I wish it was larger. I like going and knowing I can get fresh food and look at random crafts. I def think during the summer its a great way to spend your weekend morning before heading over to zingermans or somewhere else in kerry town to grab a meal.
A great local offering. I go nearly every week and try to get there early, before the crowds hit. I usually visit John and Lois, the farmers who provide my CSA share, and Maite, who makes delicious alfajors (chocolate-covered cookies). It's a great way to shake the hands that feed you, to learn about new foods and ways to cook them, and to learn what's in season in Michigan. Summer is the best, but it's open year-round on Saturdays, and I love knowing where my food comes from.
The Ann Arbor Farmers Market is always something I look forward to when I go home. Going and sampling all of the amazing produce from very local farmers is so much fun, proving that although the growing season in Michigan is short, it does not lack any of the amazing flavors of places with much longer growing seasons. I especially like sweet corn season, and the honey.
I've been visiting the Ann Arbor Farmer's Market for *ponders* 25 years. Lovely vendors, great seasonal selection of fresh produce, cut flowers, bedding plants: annual and perennial, vegetable plants, furniture, jewelry, textiles, you name it. Also a growing number of organic meat, eggs, and dairy product vendors.
Go early as you can, it can get rather crowded so sporting a baby-pack is much better than clogging up the flow with a gigantic stroller (kid in wagon with produce works too...) Bring a stash of old bags, a backpack, containers to carry away your treasures. Park on the street, across from the market at Community Highschool, or walk down from one of the city parking structures. Parking can be tight on Saturdays~
Wasem's stand has excellent donuts...I highly recommend the blueberry or apple cake donuts with cinnamon sugar - addictive. In July arrive early and you can go home with an armful of gorgeous Dahlias for under $10. August is prime for Red Haven Peaches and fresh Apricots. mmmmm
on another note:
I was saddened to see that Ralph Snow (aka, the maple-syrup man) passed away this winter -- I hope another member of the family or someone decides to carry on his wonderful, tasty products. He'll be missed.
Small but fun. I may just be used to the blocks and blocks of Farmers Markets in Los Angeles but isn't the Ann Arbor one tiny? It is very nice for it's size though. I love the dehydrated liver treats for dogs as well as the super fresh and tasty produce. Parking can be a mess but everyone seems very friendly and the Market is worth the wait. It is always good to support local Michigan growers so check it out!
This is a local institution. The A2 Farmers Market has just about everything you need to fill your kitchen with fresh and nutritious local food. Whether you are looking for free-range eggs, meats from grass-fed animals, organic produce and fruits, native plants and flowers, or fruit preserves and delicious baked goods, you will find them all here. The market is very busy, so arrive early (around 7 AM). Bring cash or a checkbook. And, be sure to start with a fresh cup of coffee from Roos Roast!
I have a lot of affection for this market. It's a treat when you're walking by and you've forgotten that it's market day. The vendors offer a delicious assortment of produce at affordable prices -- it's also a good idea to try and support local farmers when you can.
I also highly recommend buying fresh herbs from here and cookin' it up because food tastes so much better.
I have to take away a star because of the jerk-off Saturday yuppie assholes who refuse to get out of the way when people are trying to walk around and actually, you know, buy stuff. I also recommend going on Wednesdays if you're unemployed like me - less people and much easier to handle (and no, I'm not actually a misanthrope who hates children, I just play one in this town...).
Oh aaaaand can Ann Arbor please ban those stupid wagons people insist on using for hauling their children around? Fuck.
When I lived in Toledo, we would often time an Ann Arbor run so that we could hit the Farmer's Market and lunch at Zingerman's. Yes, we had a farmer's market space in downtown Toledo but it didn't have Zingerman's next to it. In fact, it had a very skanky Big Boy.
Great little market with fun vendors.
Sometimes you can get great deals, and there is always great looking produce grown locally. I have also found honey, maple syrup, jams, eggs, and fresh bread.
Once you load up at the farmer's market, you might be able to finish out your shopping for the week at the people's food co-op, which isn't too far away.
The market is open year round on Saturdays, and is also open on Wednesdays, between May and December.
The Ann Arbor farmer's market is so sprawling, it is great. There are even a few jewelry and accessories vendors. If you're in the market for another house plant, you can get it here, too. Prices are surprisingly low. I would have figured that the produce here would be more expensive than the stuff at the grocery store, but that's not necessarily the case. Lots of baked goods here too - I dare you to walk through without buying a scone, muffin, or cookie.
You HAVE TO visit the Zingerman's cheese lady. She is so nice and will give you samples of just about everything they have there. The pimento cheese spread is amazing. So is the mozzarella. And the goat cheese literally melts in your mouth. It was hard to not buy one of everything, but we ended up just sticking with the mozzarella to make fresh caprese with.
The farmer's market is a nice little gem that every city and/or town needs. It provides fresh produce with a friendly smile.
I never thought that food at a farmer's market could be better than the groceries bought at Kroger or Meijer. Then again, this is the first farmer's market I've ever been to.
I love how cheap everything is too. You can't beat the prices here. Asparagus for a dollar, snow cones for a dollar, huge water melons for 2 bucks; simply wonderful.
Taking your girlfriend or boyfriend there isn't a bad idea either. It's a nice experience because the people are warm, you get to sample good food, and the aesthetics (all the different food) are a sight for sore eyes. A sample of hot apple cider on a cold Ann Arbor day sure hits the spot.
Whether you're just going there to look around, or you actually want to purchase something, the farmer's market provides the nice people of Ann Arbor a hearty landmark fit for those who want to get their inner agriculturalist on.
I guess I'm not a connoisseur of farmer's markets, and I don't have much to compare it to, but I love the Ann Arbor farmer's market. I went today and they had lots of flowers for spring planting at good prices. These prices need to be considered good for Ann Arbor, though. You could probably find better prices at other farmer's markets, but these prices are at least better than most stores I think, and I'd rather support these folks than the Meijer outdoor department. Come hungry to the farmer's market because there are tons of goodies to buy and eat while you shop. Today I had an amazing tamale from Pilar's Tamales, and a delicious mini pecan pie. My companions got some goat cheese and apple fritters. Yum! I left with farm-fresh eggs, beautiful flowers, and home made biscotti and bread. All that while supporting local business. Sounds good to me. P.S. Good luck finding parking. Take your bike or walk if you can. It's a madhouse.
Tomatoes. Peaches. Fresh cilantro, basil, oregano, mint. Organic produce. Hand-made maple sugar candy with the most intense maple flavor in the world. Cabbage. Broccoli or corn picked less than 24 hours ago. More kinds of hot and sweet peppers than you ever heard of. Raspberries, blueberries, huckleberries, plums -- sweet. Honey. Home-made preserves, bread, or pie.
All produce is delivered and sold by the farmers who grew the fruit or vegetables or raised the bees or tapped the maple trees, etc. They back their trucks up to the open air stands, set up their tables, and sell. They had heirloom apples and peaches before the term was coined -- that is, they never stopped growing them.
Wednesdays and Saturdays in the growing season. It's worth the search for a parking space. If you buy in bulk, you save money too.
The site is used for a variety of other events too -- mainly good ones like craft fairs and the book festival.
2007 Update. I checked on the meat and egg situation: several sellers now have these products in compliance with all regulations. I talked to a farmer who raises sheep near Stockbridge and has an arrangement with a slaughter house a few hours from her farm, which she says is clean and meets *her* standards, not just USDA.
I love shopping here during the summer! All the fruits are so ripe and delicious, but I have to say that my favorite part is the bread. The vendors here sell the best bread ever. Beats any bakery I know of. :]
I feel like I missed something here. I came looking for asparagus, maybe some cheese, or some herbs. I only saw a few tables of edibles, everything else was plants. Really, did I miss something? I'm not being sarcastic, I'm asking a question here. Is there another section that I missed? Reading these other reviews, perhaps that is the case. Should I try again Wesnesday?
Awesome. this one time my roommate and i were very poor and went to the farmer's market. a lady there was selling snowcones for 75p and all i wanted was a lime one. I had a dollar, my roommate had none. i bought one and ate it. my pal was bummed out. the lady gave him a snowcone for free. and that right there is the spirit that the farmers market embodies. come one come all.
Amazing. Go for flowers, the freshest produce you can find anywhere, arts, jewelry, plants, herbs, breads, cheeses, pies, and anything else you can think of. It's great.
Seasonal produce from local farmers.
We've been shopping there regularly enough that the folks we buy from all the time know us by sight if not by name.
There are opportunities for unbelievable bargains, if you time your purchase and quantities right. Last Thanksgiving we scored a whole box of squash for only $1 more than what a half dozen would have cost.
First rate farmer's market. Love the communal aspect it as well as all the fresh produce. Shopping this market in autumn is a Midwestern treat.
A great place, very welcoming and fun to shop at.
Ann Arbor, MI
Category: Local Flavor
Ann Arbor, MI
Category: Botanical Gardens
Ypsilanti, MI
Category: Ethnic Food
Ann Arbor, MI
Category: Vegetarian
Ann Arbor, MI
Category: Cuban
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