CUISINE markets or family farm markets , excellent agri-tourism destinations where everyone can shop , socialize and eat up .
Kirkwood Farmers ' Market has been a fixture of downtown Kirkwood since 1976 . Located a block north of Kirkwood ’ s train station at East Argonne Drive and Taylor Avenue , Kirkwood ’ s Farmers ' Market changes with the season . Throughout summer , you ’ ll find favored row crops , such as tomatoes , cucumbers and tree-ripened peaches . Come October , the market morphs into the Pumpkin Patch and Harvest Market before it converts into a Christmas Market for November and December . Kirkwood ’ s Farmers ' Market is open daily with hours that vary with its seasonal crops .
St Louis ’ Soulard Market is considered one of the oldest continuously operated community farmers ' markets west of the Mississippi , tracing its beginnings to the late 18th century . Soulard is open Wednesday through Saturday year round ; however , the best time to shop is summer and early fall when the harvest is at its peak . Plan to arrive early to get your pick of the farm crops and take in the eclectic atmosphere , especially on Saturdays when spontaneous sidewalk entertainers , including saxophonists , bluegrass musicians and jugglers entertain .
Ferguson Farmers Market is a young market compared to most . While founded in 2002 , it ’ s rooted in market tradition - bringing the community together with good food and fun . As its motto states , “ Come for the farmers . Stay for the fun .” Counted among those fun activities are weekly live music , monthly educational programs and themed festivals , such as its September Hispanic Festival . It ’ s also the first market to have its own liquor license , enabling on-site wine
tastings . Add in homegrown produce and fruits for a winning market experience visitors can enjoy until the market closes the last Saturday in October .
Tower Grove Farmers ’ Market Each Saturday morning , mid-April through November 11 , farmers and vendors fill tables just west of the Pool Pavilion in Tower Grove Park , a National Historic Landmark renowned for its architectural treasures like its Turkish and Chinese pavilions . Before shopping , consider taking advantage of the free yoga classes held at 9 a . m . near the market grounds . Then , shop and fill your basket and have an impromptu picnic . Find a place to lounge and take in the music - Tower Grove ’ s GadellNet Saturday Sessions - arranged by Twangfest at 10 a . m . every Saturday .
Family Farm Markets St . Louis ’ greater bi-state region is blessed with several farmstead markets . Family farms - some small , some large – farmed by the same families for generations , such as South County ’ s Stuckmeyer ' s Farm Market , North County and Maryland Heights Thies Farms , and St . Louis and Illinois premier agri-tourism destinations , Eckert ’ s Family Farm Markets . Check each location online for events and field reports touting the latest seasonal pick .
Market tip : No matter which market you shop , bring a cooler to help keep your purchases from overheating from the summer heat .
Suzanne Corbett is a food historian and author of the award-winning cookbooks , “ The Gilded Table ” and “ Pushcarts & Stalls : The Soulard Market History Cookbooks .” She can be contacted at suzannecorbett @ me . com .
Das Bevo St . Louis ' Soulard Market
Ferguson Farmers ' Market
Kirkwood Farmers ' Market
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