Eat Local Every Season

By | October 25, 2018
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When the leaves have fallen and the ground starts to freeze, local farmers markets pack up their tents. But, in the otherwise barren winter season, the abundance of nourishment at the Milwaukee Winter Farmers Market is astounding. From products like jams and baked goods to produce and meats, the wide variety of vendors keep customers coming back week after week.

The 2018/2019 season of the Milwaukee Winter Farmers Market officially opens on Saturday, November 3rd, 2018. This will be their 10th annual market, and they are working hard to expand their reach and variety. This year, they will be hosting 3 more vendors than previous years, as well as adding more prepared food vendors to the lineup. There will be at least four prepared food vendors every week instead of every other week like last year’s market, allowing shoppers to indulge while they shop. Last year, over 41,000 patrons visited the Milwaukee Winter Farmers Market, and they hope to welcome many more with this upcoming season.

Katie Hassemer, Director of the Milwaukee Winter Farmers Market, strives to make the market happen not just for shoppers, but for vendors as well. Having a small business in the world of food can be grueling in the off-season, and Hassemer’s goal is to provide a platform for these dedicated entrepreneurs to do what they love year round. The Milwaukee Winter Farmers Market constitutes closer relationships between producer and consumer, as well as gives support to small businesses in the Milwaukee area. An overlooked benefit of having the producer alongside their product is the opportunity for education. Vendors have a wealth of knowledge when it comes to their products that a grocery store just can’t provide; like what the product is, how you can use it, how to grow it. This pushes shoppers to experiment with a greater variety of foods that they wouldn’t have tried without this information.

Hassemer’s ideal farmers market would provide a weekly grocery shopping routine for her shoppers, buying their meat, cheese, produce and other goods from the market instead of the bigger non-personal supermarket. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Hassemer welcomes those who just come to grab breakfast, visit with friends and look around! A farmers market is a great resource for social engagement, while providing people with nutrient-dense, local food.

The Milwaukee Winter Farmers Market’s 2018/2019 season will be held on Saturdays (excluding Nov. 24th and Dec. 29th) from November 3rd to March 30th. The hours of operation are 8:00am-12:00pm at the Greenhouse Annex at the Mitchell Park Conservatory, aka “The Domes” (524 S. Layton Blvd. Milwaukee, WI 53215). The Milwaukee Winter Farmers Market has free admission as well as free parking.

Take advantage of this valuable resource and treat yourself to local goods from hardworking vendors this Winter season, and eat local all year round!

For a list of 2018/2019 vendors, click here.