The Middlebury Farmers’ Market, held at the historic Marble Works in Middlebury, Vermont, holds a special place in my heart… It was once a Saturday morning tradition for me to go to the Middlebury Farmers’ Market to fetch eggs, maybe a block of cheese and a sweet treat, usually in the form of a cinnamon bun or chocolate croissant. I would stroll around for half an hour or so, chatting with colleagues and friends I would inevitably see, and petting a diverse mix of dogs, brought to the market as a form of socialization.
Farmers’ Markets in Vermont
Farmers’ Markets are a big deal in Vermont. The Green Mountain state has the most farmers’ markets per capita in the United States; we also have the greatest number of artisan cheesemakers per capita and, of course, are the largest producers of maple syrup in the country. (Are you ready to move here now, or what?)
The Middlebury Farmers’ Market is smaller than Burlington’s and Waitsfield’s Markets, but there’s a good mix of seasonal produce, prepared foods (baked goods, Thai, Mediterranean), fresh cut flowers, meats, preserves, pickles, syrup, yard, bread, wine and cheese. The market accepts agricultural vendors first and foremost, so you’ll see more local vegetables and eggs here than at other markets around the state.
You could easily get all of your food here for the week in one fell swoop. You could also easily spend all morning here, chatting with vendors about their products, listening to live music or people watching.
Favorite Middlebury Farmers’ Market Vendors
- Good Companion Bakery:
The chocolate croissants and cinnamon buns from Good Companion are worth a stop
Make your first stop at the market at Good Companion Bakery and pick up a chocolate or almond croissant or cinnamon bun, along with classic wood-fired, European-style artisan breads. Good Companion is located in Ferrisburgh, Vermont, and uses draft horses to prepare their fields for their wheat crop. A really interesting farm and family. Oh, and out-of-this-world, wood-fired baked goods. Read more about the owners and their operations here.
- Fairy Tale Farm: Located in Bridport, Vermont, Fairy Tale Farm makes small batches of mostly Ayrshire cow and goat cheeses. They are a new addition to the market this year and sell their cheeses for great prices ($4 for four or so ounces). We especially like the Will o’ Wisp, “a basket-style cheese with a wild natural rind… with flavors of cream, cave, with slightly higher salt,” along with the Barbegazi, “an aged alpine cheese dusted with unsweetened Lake Champlain cocoa.”
- Elmer Farm: Spencer, the owner of Elmer Farm, is a friend of my husband, so we always stop and admire his produce, even though we have a garden full of our own veg. The certified-organic farm is located just a few miles from our house on route 116 in Middlebury and moves a serious amount of produce at the market. They sell over 35 varieties of produce and also have a CSA (Community-Supported Agriculture) farm share program that’s really popular with the locals.
- Ledge Hill Farms: This is the best stop for eggs at the market, at $3.50 a dozen for a mixture of blue, green, brown and white eggs. She also sells baked goods, meats and plant starts. Doolittle Farm, a family-run farm in Shoreham, Vermont, with organic pastured eggs, and Golden Yolks, are other good options for eggs. Get there early before they sell out.
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Stop by for a taste of hard cider or ice cider.
Windfall Orchards: With the cider craze going on right now, stop by Windfall Orchards and sample some of their hard cider or ice cider, a sweet desssert wine. They also often have berries, figs, foraged mushrooms and sauerkraut for purchase.
Local’s Tips
- Bring a bag – you’ll always end up with more than you think you will.
- Don’t have cash? The market accepts debit cards. In the middle of the market, you’ll find a booth where you can swipe your card, receive tokens and use those tokens to buy products from various market vendors.
- Take your time. You could easily spend an hour checking out crafts, jewelry and produce, while sampling cheeses and wine.
Middlebury Farmers’ Market
Summer Market, located in the Marble Works, Middlebury, Vermont
Wednesdays (June 11 through October 8) and Fridays (May 3 through October 25)
9am-1pm
Winter Market, Saturdays November 1 – December 27
What’s your favorite stop at the Middlebury Farmers’ Market? Share your favorites below.
Categories: Farmers' Markets, Middlebury
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