Missouri has plenty to brag about when it comes to agriculture. The Show-Me State ranks second in the United States in farms, with nearly 88,000 operations, and in the top 10 in America in 12 different agricultural categories, from rice and soybeans to hogs and goats. Given its farming heritage, it is not surprising that Missouri has a bountiful crop of farmers markets, with more than 200 registered with the state’s Department of Agriculture.
Columbia Farmers Market
Missouri can also boast of having its Columbia Farmers Market (CFM) as being named the nation’s top farmers market in a 2021 “People’s Poll” conducted by American Farmland Trust. At the time of this triumph, Corrina Smith, the market’s executive director, explained that there are three qualities the operation has that distinguish it from others: 40+ years of operations, being producer-only, and mandating that vendors must be from within a 50-mile radius of the market.
Photo Courtesy Columbia Farmers Market
CFM, which also finished second in the American Farmland Trust’s 2022 national poll,
can point to more than three reasons for its success. In 2019, the market’s freshly opened Agriculture Park (1769 W. Ash St.) provided a year-round covered home. It now operates on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon from April to October and 9 a.m. to noon from November to March, as well as on Wednesdays from 4 to 7 p.m.
The park space also offers plenty of space for fun activities, such as live musical performances, cooking demonstrations, and various family-friendly programs. These programs include several free, drop-in children’s activities that the market co-hosts with the Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture at the Saturday and Wednesday operations.
One particularly popular kids program is the Good Food Detectives Club.
On Saturday, youngsters of all ages can become “Good Food Detectives” and earn “Munch Money” by doing various fun and educational food-focused activities around the market.
CFM funds this project, other educational workshops, and its Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) initiative through its annual Farm to Table Fundraiser, which typically raises $15,000 a year. It should be noted that Columbia’s outreach endeavors also include a Gleaning program that distributes excess produce to those in need in the Columbia community.
According to the American Institute for Economic Research, Columbia Mo. is ranked number 8 nationally for college towns. It’s home to the University of Missouri, affectionately known as Mizzou, Stephens Colleges, and Columbia College, and “has a reputation for progressive politics, a high emphasis on education, and appealing public art.”
Independence Uptown Farmers Market
Independence, Missouri, is famous as the hometown of President Harry Truman. Independence Uptown Farmers Market (IUFM) can be found on Truman Road (211 W. Truman Road, to be precise).
Like the CFM, IUFM benefits from being housed at the relatively new Uptown Market facility. Open in 2018, the award-winning structure features a covered, open-air pavilion and an indoor pavilion, totaling more than 14,000 square feet of space — ample room for 40+ vendors.
Photo Courtesy Independence, MO
While the IUFM has been at its current location for a half-dozen years, it has been around for over half a century. In fact, one farmer has been involved in the market for more than 40 years.
As a growers-only operation, IUFM maintains its local focus by requiring that all items on sale must have been grown or made from within a 100-mile radius of Independence.
The market occurs weekly on Saturdays from May to October from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., while the peak summer months — June to August — also hold a Wednesday marketplace from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. From December through April, it operates only on the first Saturday of the month.
Ferguson Farmers Market
Located north of St. Louis, Ferguson keeps things fresh at its popular farmers market by requiring all fruits and vegetables to be picked within 24 hours of selling. The award-winning Ferguson Farmers Market (FFM) takes place in the Plaza at 501 (501 S. Florissant) in the city’s downtown area every Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon from May through October.
Besides the super-fresh produce, the operation has an extensive schedule of events.
For example, its 2024 season features Bake-Off days for cookies and pies, along with a Strawberry Festival, an Astronomy Day, and a car show.
Other Saturdays offer family-friendly themes, like tributes to Star Wars, dinosaurs, and superheroes.
FFM and IUFM are among the markets in Missouri and Kansas in the Double Up Food Bucks program, run by Double Up Heartland, that matches every dollar spent by low-income families at participating farmers markets, farm stands, and grocery stores.
Photo Courtesy Ferguson Farmers Market
FFM was founded in 2002 and has become a true local institution. In 2022, its management returned to being done in-house by the city and its Parks & Recreation Department.
“The market is more than just about bringing healthy, fresh produce to the community,” David Musgrave, the Parks & Recreation director, said in a press release. “It’s a Saturday morning tradition where the community can grab a coffee, chat with neighbors, make new connections, let their kids participate in fun activities, and enjoy a family-friendly, festive atmosphere.”
