Some North Dakota farmers markets date back 50 years, while others celebrate their 10-year anniversaries in 2024. No matter how long they’ve been around, all the marketplaces offer their customers healthy nutrition, community engagement, and entertainment. Here are three great spots to visit in the Peace Garden State.
Red River Market
2024 marks the 10th year that the Red River Market (RRM) has been running, and during that time, the Fargo-based operation has established itself as North Dakota’s largest farmers market. Since beginning in 2015, it has grown from a weekly attendance of 800 people to 8,000 market-goers. Red River offers space to more than 90 area farmers and makers, featuring one of the region’s only free, all-ages public stages for local musicians and performers.
Besides serving food and entertainment, RRM, which occupies Broadway Square (201 Broadway) on Saturdays from mid-July through October (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.), also presents a full lineup of community-minded programs.
Each market day includes two educational cooking demonstrations that use ingredients that were purchased at the day’s market, and the demonstrations come with free recipe cards and a shopping list.
Furthermore, RRM hosts a pair of nonprofit organizations each week so they can share their information and mission with the public at interactive information booths. Red River also demonstrates its community spirit by participating in Giving Hearts Day and raising money for charities located in North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota.
Photo Courtesy Red River Market
Minot Farmers Market
The history of the Minot Farmers Market (MFM) dates back more than 50 years, with the original growers first selling their produce in this northern North Dakota city in 1971. In fact, three of its vendors hail from families who have been members since the beginning.
2024 finds this “old” market embarking on something new — it will open for the first time in June instead of the traditional July. Minot’s vendors typically exceed more than 35 farmers, bakers, and makers that grow or create their goods within 100 miles of the city.
The popular event is held three times a week — Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays — in the city’s Oak Park (1300 4th Ave. NW). Tuesdays’ hours are always 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. while Thursdays’ and Saturdays’ hours start at 9 a.m. to noon but shift to 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in October.
Minot frequently has a special event or theme on a market day. The 2024 season features a salute to National Farmers Market Week in August, a Farm-to-Table Family Fair, and a Lil Vendors Market, where kids can be entrepreneurs.
MFM is active in the community, too! The operation helps ag-based organizations host events, emails informative weekly flyers, and educates groups on topics like gardening and “homesteading.”
Photo Courtesy Minot Farmers Market
Capital Farmer’s Market
Like Minot, the Capital Farmer’s Market (CFM) operates from June through October on multiple days of the week. Located in the capital city of Bismarck, CFM sets up shop in two locations. The Saturday operation is held in the parking lot of the Tractor Supply Company (1101 Brookside Lane), while the Monday, Wednesday, and Friday markets take place at Tatley Eagles Park (between Airport Road and Michigan Ave).
The Saturday start time is 8 a.m., and the starting time on the weekdays is 10:30 a.m., with the operation remaining open until the vendors sell out or until Mother Nature intervenes.
Photo Courtesy Capital Farmer’s Market
While held several days a week, CFM is a rather intimate affair with around a dozen regular vendors — 14 signed up in 2023 for membership. However, the market offers “day passes” for those who just want to join for the day.
No matter the vendor, you will always find locally grown and pesticide-free produce. The marketplace also presents special activities throughout its season, like the ever-popular Tomato Day — just watching out for the tomato tossing! CFM keeps connected to its community all year round by keeping a list of direct resources on its website with recommendations on where you can get items like the best seed or supplies in the area.
