(Last UPDATED 2/24/2021) Description of the various seasonal and year-round farmers markets found in the Sacramento Region. See Update below.
Original Post
Sacramento and the Sacramento Region is blessed with numerous farmers markets, both year-round and seasonal.
The oldest and busiest is the Central Certified Farmers Market which has just celebrated its 35th Anniversary! The market, held on Sunday’s, boasts over 100 participating farmers. See Update below.
Complementing the year-round markets are numerous seasonal markets that open for the year in the spring-early summer. These markets are scattered around the city.
SacramentoRevealed.com – All Things Sacramento (from a personal perspective)
Tip: The California Department of Food and Agriculture has a list of certified markets listed by county. California Grown has a helpful list of local certified markets listed by market days.
Seasonal Farmers Markets
(UPDATED 5/5/19)
Tuesdays
- Roosevelt Park, 9th and P Streets, 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (May through October)
- Fremont Park, 16th and P Streets, 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (May through September)
Wednesdays
- Cesar Chavez Plaza, 10th and J Streets, 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (May through October)
Thursdays
- Capitol Mall, 6th Street and Capitol Mall, 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (May through September)
- U.C. Davis Health System, 45th and Y Streets, 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (April through October)
Saturdays
- McClatchy Park, 3500 5th Avenue, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (May through October)
Year-Round Farmers Markets
(UPDATED 8/24/2020)
Wednesdays
- Winn Park, 28th & P Streets, 3:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (March – November); 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. December – February) NEW
Thursdays
- Sutter Medical Center, 2825 Capitol Avenue, 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Saturdays
- Country Club Plaza, Watt and El Camino Avenues, 8:00 a.m. to Noon
- Midtown, 20th Street (between J and K Streets) 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Sundays
- Certified Farmers Market, W and 8th Streets, 8:00 a.m. to Noon
Note: Year-round markets will close for weather interruptions i.e. strong winds and rain/high likelihood of rain. Also, check out status in advance around the winter holiday season.
By patronizing your local market you are not only helping small farmers make more of a profit for their hard work (by cutting out the middle-man), you are also helping the local economy. A recent U.C. Davis study reports that Sacramento-area farmers and ranchers who sell their products directly to consumers generate twice as much regional economic impact per dollar of output as do area food producers who don’t engage in direct marketing.
I tend to frequent either the year-round Central Certified Farmer’s Market (Sunday) or the Midtown Farmers Market (Saturday) on 20th Street between J and L Streets. The Midtown market is sponsored by the Midtown Business Association.
As a general rule I like to do a quick stroll around the market, checking the prices and quality of the produce I want to buy. Then, I make my way around the market once again to make my purchases. I always take assorted coins and $1’s and $5’s as opposed to larger bills as I know that the farmers appreciate it.
See related blog posts: Sacramento Midtown Farmers Market Expanded and Winn Park Farmers Market
Updates
(2/24/2021) The Central (aka Sunday) Certified Farmers Market will be temporarily relocating after February 28 from its W and 8th Streets location under Highway 50 due to a CalTrans highway expansion project. The new location will the Arden Fair Mall parking lot near the Sears building. If all goes well, the popular Sunday market will return to its W & 8th Street location in early December, 2021.
(10/20/17) The Midtown Farmers Market was voted #1 in the Sacramento Magazine 2017 Best of Sacramento survey.
Comments?
Do you have a favorite seasonal market and/or year-round market?
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