Minnesota Late Summer Produce Guide
Late summer offers the greatest bounty of produce for Minnesotans eager to get their hands on fresh fruits and veggies. While quick-growing lettuces and other leafy greens are readily available for spring consumption, plants that require a longer growing season including root and vine vegetables, berries, melons and more. They are ready to grace the dinner table later in the summer. From carrots to green beans and blueberries to honeydew, find fresh-picked favorites at your local farmers' market.
St. Paul Farmers' Market
Downtown St. Paul
290 E. 5th St.
St. Paul, MN 55101
www.stpaulfarmersmarket.com
Date: Saturdays and Sundays through Nov. 23, 2014
The St. Paul Farmers' Market has been providing the community of downtown St. Paul with fresh produce for over 150 years, a tradition that flourishes year after year. Dozens upon dozens of local vendors bring a variety of fresh produce every weekend, making it a convenient place to snag all of the fruits and vegetables on your grocery list. Choose from several varieties of juicy tomatoes perfect for salads and sandwiches, stock up on dinnertime staples including carrots and onions and give something a bit more exotic like bok choy or daikon a try.
Duluth Farmer's Market
14th Ave. E. and 3rd St.
Duluth, MN 55805
(218) 724-9955
www.duluthfarmersmarket.com
Date: Wednesdays from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m.
The Duluth Farmer's Market is a long-standing tradition in Duluth, having celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2011. Over a dozen local family farms toil in the soil for several months to provide community members with their labors of love. Spruce up salads with spinach and Swiss chard, serve brilliant green bean or broccoli side dishes and top desserts with fresh blueberries and strawberries. Peruse the organic meat offerings and fresh-baked goods once you've stocked up on fruits and veggies and you'll leave with everything you need to prepare a fresh, healthy meal.
Rochester Downtown Farmers Market
4th St. and 4th Ave. S.E.
Rochester, MN 55904
www.rochesterdowntownfarmersmarket.org
Date: Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. through October
Having recently earned the honor of "Best Farmer's Market" from The Star Tribune, the Rochester Downtown Farmers Market boasts an impressive array of items ranging from meats and poultry to dairy products to specialty products like beeswax candles and goat milk soaps. But the star of the market is the fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables. Beets, sweet corn, peppers, yams, plums, blackberries, eggplants and so much more overflow vendor baskets every Saturday. Arrive early for the best selection.
Midtown Farmers Market
Lake St. E. & 22nd Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55407
www.midtownfarmersmarket.org
Date: Saturdays through October from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Tuesdays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
More than 80 vendors sell their wares at the Midtown Farmers Market each year, providing everything from fresh produce, meats, dairy products, art, jewelry and prepared foods including omelets, coffee and homemade ice cream. Find everything from rhubarb to shallots, peas to parsnips, raspberries to watermelon and catch a live cooking demonstration for culinary inspiration. If hunger pangs strike, ease them with bite from a local food vendor; it'll tide you over until you get your fresh produce haul home.
St. Cloud Farmer's Market
Lady Slipper Parking Lot
2nd St. S. Between 6th St. and 7th St.
St. Cloud, MN 56303
www.stcloudfarmersmarket.com
Date: Saturdays through October from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Entering its 27th year, the St. Cloud Farmer's Market offers the community a variety of locally grown, raised and baked goods. Pick up fresh leafy greens, ripe tomatoes and onions to pair with hamburgers and sandwiches and juicy blueberries, blackberries and strawberries for summertime snacking. Snag some wild rice and create a casserole featuring fresh-picked produce and fresh or dried herbs to give your meals unbelievable flavor.
A Minnesota native that was born and raised Up North, Minneapolis is where Christina Kalinowski currently calls home. Christina appreciates irony, loves bacon, enjoys a hearty libation (drink responsibly, folks), and is an avid proponent of the Swanson Pyramid of Greatness. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
