Local Farmer's Markets Continue Well into the Fall

If you find yourself missing the warmth of the sun against your skin, and all the goodies that come with that time of year, there lingers still a favorite warm weather pastime to ease you into fall’s arrival – the farmer’s market.

Outdoor farmer’s markets are a beloved feature on any lazy summer day, and there are still a few available through this month and next. The Hope Street Farmers Market (1059 Hope Street) in Lippitt Park on the East Side will continue to offer an array of locally made and grown produce from pasture-raised meats, cheeses, breads and veggies to flowers and seafood until the end of October. This farmer’s market has a distinctive list of unique features like live music, knife sharpening, Wednesday open jam sessions and even bicycle valets (Saturdays only). This farmer-run cooperative features local items from The Cupcakerie desserts to Schartner Farms’ local bounty. Open Wednesdays 3-6pm and Saturdays 9am-1pm.

Another Providence-based market still gracing the East Side till October is the Brown University Farmers Market (Wriston Quad, between Thayer St and George St.). Unlike its Hope Street counterpart, this short-lived market opens its outdoor fall arcade the beginning of the month, starting on September 4. According to the University, Brown Dining Service is actually a founding partner of Farm Fresh RI – in collaboration with the center for environmental studies, the Rhode Island Foundation and the Rhode Island Division of Agriculture – a nonprofit started in 2004, which now manages about eight of the city’s urban farmer’s markets. Wednesdays you’ll find produce from local farmers like Barden Family Orchard and Harvest Kitchen, and plenty of hungry college students buzzing the stands. Open Wednesdays 11am-2pm.

Not to be outdone by its constituents, the Providence Alternative Market (the Arena Lot, North Main Street), the farmers market with an edge, will be running its summer schedule until October 26 on Saturdays between 10am-2pm. Called “the full package” and “the evolution of the farmer’s market” by Alternative’s Richard Suls, market-browsers can expect workshops almost every week, musicians and food trucks like Mijos Tacos. For information on other farmers markets in your area check out.