Farm Fresh Delights: The Vibrant Farmer’s Market Scene in Montana
We're closing in on that magical time of year in Montana, Farmer's Market Season.
I love heading to the market early on a Saturday morning to shop from local people and get to know the farmers, growers, artists, cooks, baristas, musicians and many more who come to share their talent with the rest of us for a few beautiful days in the summer.
Then it hit me, there have got to be markets all over the state all summer long. I did some digging, and here's what I came up with for you. I highlighted 6 bigger towns in Big Sky Country. I'm sure you can find markets scattered throughout the smaller towns all over the Treasure State.
Helena Farmer's Market
The Capitol City holds their market on Fuller Avenue in Helena from 9am to 1pm Saturdays. Going on now through October 28th.
Helena also offers a Tuesday market in another location in town. Find out when and where here.
Clark Fork River Market, Missoula
Held Saturdays at 101 Carousel Drive. Open May through September from 8am to 1pm, and 9am to 1pm in October. Just with the artsy lifestyle of Missoula, I'll bet you find some CRAZY good artwork here.
Yellowstone Valley Farmer's Market, Billings
This market opens on July 15 and runs through October 7th from 8am to Noon at Broadway and 2nd Avenue North in Billings.
I've attended this market 5 or 6 times and it's pretty cool. It rivals the Great Falls Farmer's Market, but I think Great Falls may have a few more vendors. I love the feel of downtown Billings in the summer and I think you will too.
Butte Farmer's Market
Held Saturdays through October 7th from 8am to 1pm. You'll find it in historic uptown Butte on West Park Street. Anything Butte does, they do it all the way up. I bet this market is awesome.
Gallatin Valley Farmer's Market, Bozeman
This market is open Saturdays starting June 17th and running through August 9th from 9am to Noon in the Gallatin County Fairgrounds Haynes Pavilion. With the way Bozeman is growing and the new type of people living there, this may be a one of a kind Montana Farmer's Market.
Great Falls Original Farmer's Market
This market opens the first Saturday of June and runs through the last Saturday of September, rain or shine, from 8:30am to 1pm, near the Civic Center in Downtown Great Falls.
Of course, I'm biased, but not only do I feel this is the best market of all the markets mentioned in this article, it's literally one of the best markets I've ever been to in my life. The only one I've attended that absolutely blows our market out of the water is the Saturday Market in Portland, Oregon. How can they even be compared?
Make A Difference Locally And Build Community
Patronize your local Farmer's Market and others around the state and bring a friend. Talk about a Montana Made gift givers paradise.