Come with me to the farmers markets in the Birmingham area, and you’ll find so many opportunities to support local farmers while broadening your choices for fresh produce. Let me help you take advantage of this beautiful, bountiful season that bridges the year from spring to fall! First, let’s start with some tips for making the most of your market time.
1. Go early.
The temperatures are cooler (for those Saturday morning markets), the crowds are smaller, and the selections will be plentiful. A slow Saturday that begins with coffee and a stroll around the market as it opens is my favorite.
2. Take your own bags.
We love the mesh produce bags in various sizes that we have been using at the grocery store. They also work great at the market, keeping some extra plastic bags out of circulation.
3. Bring cash and smaller bills.
Yes, “tap to pay” is easy but eliminating that credit card processing fee to the farmer is another way to support their success.
4. Try something new.
We have developed an admiration for Swiss chard, yellow tomatoes, and tiny eggplant. Be sure to ask the farmers what they recommend — if they grow it, generally speaking, it is because they like to eat it and can tell you why.
CSA: Variety Without the Market Visit
If you can’t make it to the market but want to support local farms, you might consider Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), which is a program where consumers buy shares of a farm’s harvest in advance. They offer different levels of membership, generally based on the number of weeks you want and what types of items you like. You pay in advance, and each week you have a designated pick up spot. We have loved the variety delivered directly to us, generally at a cost of about $20 per week and the weekly newsletter sent by the CSA with wonderful recipe options.
Below are some of the local markets and CSAs that have easy-to-find information on the web. You can find more exhaustive listings at localharvest.org.
Local Farmers Markets
- Alabama Farmers Market– Daily from 6AM to 7PM (the OG of markets open year round and offering seasonal recommendations)
- The Market at Pepper Place, Saturdays from 7AM to 12PM
- Birdsong Farmers Market, Saturdays from 7AM to 12PM
- The Marketplace at Lee Branch, Saturdays from 8AM to 12PM
- East Lake Market, Saturdays from 8AM to 12PM
- Trussville Fresh Farmers Market, Saturdays from 8AM to 12PM
Seasonal Farmers Markets
- Montevallo Farmers’ Market, Mondays from 3PM to 6PM, June through August 21
- West Homewood Farmers Market, Tuesdays from 5PM to 8PM, June through August 1
- Vestavia Hills Farmers Market, Wednesdays from 10AM to 1PM, May through August
- Hueytown Harvest, Wednesdays from 3PM to 6PM, May through August
- Leeds Farmers Market, Thursdays from 3PM to 7PM, starting May 4
- Moody Alabama Farmers Market, Fridays during the summer from 1PM to 5PM
- Ross Bridge Farmers Market, Select Fridays from 4PM to 8PM
- Columbiana Farmers Market, Fridays from 5:30PM to 8PM, June through August 11
- The Market at Brock’s Gap, Saturdays from 8AM to 1PM, March through November 18
- Bessemer Farmers Market, Saturdays during the summer from 8AM to 12PM with yoga at 8:30AM
- Helena Market Days, Saturdays from 8AM to 12PM, June through August
- Mt Laurel Farmers’ Market, Saturdays from 8AM to 12PM, June through mid-October
- Valleydale Farmers Market, Saturdays from 8AM to 12PM, starting May 27
Local CSAs
Upcoming Markets
For a full list of upcoming farmers markets and other events, check out our monthly events calendar!
