Here are 20+ Indianapolis-area farmers markets to visit this summer
The farmers market season is upon us, with chances throughout Central Indiana to grab not only fresh meats and produce but specialty goods and prepared foods.
Some markets offer live entertainment and cooking demonstrations; others, pretty decent scenery.
Here are highlights for those looking to shop local:
Avon Farmers Market
avonindiana.gov/285/Farmers-Market
Tuesdays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. from June through August
Avon Hendricks Regional Health Building, south parking lot, 8244 E. U.S. Highway 36, Avon
The town of Avon hosts this market to bring fresh produce, baked goods and handcrafted items. And it has a theme song!
Binford Farmers Market
Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. from May through September
Northview Church Binford Campus, 6620 Northview Way, Indianapolis
More than 50 vendors are selling fresh fruit, veggies, meats, cheeses and even handmade crafts. Look for gardening and cooking demonstrations, opportunities to enroll in the Indy Public Library summer reading program and a no-cost electronics recycling drop-off at the dog-friendly market.
The market accepts SNAP and Fresh Bucks.
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Broad Ripple Farmers Market
Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. from May through September; 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in October
6001 N. Rural St., Indianapolis
The market returns to its 2020 site, behind Lowe’s, for 2023. It features 80 vendors, including nine produce vendors and 10 vendors serving breakfast items; plus those serving coffee and tea. There's also live music each Saturday morning.
Open rain or shine, the market is dog-friendly, but there are rules at broadrippleindy.org.
SNAP and Fresh Bucks are available to customers with Hoosier Works or SNAP EBT cards.
Brownsburg Farmers Market
Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. from June 1 through Aug. 31
Brownsburg Town Hall Green, 61 N. Green St., Brownsburg
The market supports small businesses, local growers, producers, and artisans from Brownsburg and Central Indiana, offering affordable, healthy, fresh food and handcrafted goods.
Food truck vendors will be in the mix.
The Brownsburg Public Library booth will have a kid's activity each week.
The market accepts SNAP and WIC; and special nights focus on music, kids, dogs, business and specific produce.
Carmel Farmers Market
Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. from May through September
Carter Green, on the campus of the Center for the Performing Arts and the Palladium concert hall
It’s the 25th anniversary of the Carmel Farmers Market, which attracts more than 70 vendors each week. Guests can listen to live music from the Carmel Rotary Amphitheater and check out special events.
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Cumberland Farmers Market
Every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. from May through October
Cumberland Town Hall, 11501 E. Washington St., Cumberland
Fishers Farmers Markets
Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. from May through September
Nickel Plate District Amphitheater, 6 Municipal Dr., Fishers
Wednesdays from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. from June through August
More than 60 vendors at the dog-friendly market will sell local goods made, grown, baked, and harvested by farmers and area makers at the two locations.
The rain-or-shine market will host special themed days and events such as the Health & Wellness Expo, Non-Profit Day and Biz Kidz Day throughout the summer.
Each market at the Nickel Plate District kicks off with a free yoga or fitness session led by a local yoga studio.
There’s live music and a tent for kids activities.
Market vendors do not provide plastic bags, so bring reusable shopping bags, or stop by the Fishers Parks tent directly in front of the amphitheater stage to grab a free Fishers Farmers Market reusable bag.
The Wednesday market, which was formerly the Saxony Market, also has handmade goods.
Visit playfishers.com for doggie visitor guidelines.
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Fort Ben Farmers Market
Thursdays, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. from June 1 through Oct. 5
Fort Ben Cultural Campus, 8920 Otis Ave., Lawrence
Marketgoers can experience fresh produce and entertainment from local vendors and artists.
It showcases vendors from Central Indiana offering fresh produce, baked goods, honey, specialty food items, meats, coffee and plants. Food trucks will be on site.
The campus features the newly-renovated historic theater, a visual arts center, an artist walk, a history walk, an amphitheater, and the world's first set of musical swings.
Fortville Farmers Market
Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. from April 27 through Sept. 28
At the intersection of South Main Street and Noel Street, Fortville
From the Northern Hancock Area Chamber of Commerce, the downtown market showcases vendors from Central Indiana offering fresh produce, baked goods, honey, specialty food items, meats, cheeses, coffee and plants.
Leashed dogs are welcome.
Garfield Park Farmers Market
Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. from May through October
Garfield Park, at the corner of Southern Avenue and Shelby Street, Indianapolis
It’s season eight for this not-for-profit market founded by Ashley Brooks and Julia Woody and drawing about 70 vendors.
The market accepts SNAP, WIC and Senior vouchers. It also provides Fresh Bucks.
Pets are allowed, provided they are on non-retractable leashes, no longer than 6 feet.
Greenwood Farmers Market
facebook.com/Greenwood-Farmers-Market
Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. from April 29 through Sept. 30
Greenwood United Methodist Church parking lot, 525 N. Madison Ave., Greenwood
About 40 vendors are selling produce, plants, crafts, baked goods and pet treats. Most of the early weeks will be heavy on plants and early spring produce.
The market is dog-friendly, and many of its vendors accept WIC.
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Healthway Park Farmers Market
facebook.com/HealthwayParkFarmersMarket
Tuesdays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. from May through September
4055 S. Roy Wilson Way, New Palestine
Local foods and products including fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, cheeses, baked goods, flowers, soaps and lotions.
Irvington Farmers Market
irvingtongardenclub.com/farmers-market
Every second Sunday from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. from June through October.
Ellenberger Park, 5301 E. St. Clair St., Indianapolis
The lineup of about 100 vendors and non-profits each week varies, but expect those with produce, crafts, baked and canned goods, ready-to-eat foods, body care, vinaigrettes, pet adoption, rescued and repurposed items, clothing, and Irvington business promotion.
Some vendors at the rain-or-shine market accept credit or debit cards; others are cash or check only.
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Noblesville Farmers Market
Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. from May 6 through Oct 14
Federal Hill Commons, 175 Logan St., Noblesville
The pet-friendly market has 90 to 95 vendors each week (honey, meat, flowers and candles), along with live music, yoga and free kids classes. The market accepts SNAP and WIC.
North Church Farmers Market
First and third Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. July through September
3808 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis
Formerly known as the 38th and Meridian Street Farmers Market, this decades-long market is among the oldest in Indianapolis, providing locally-grown food, educational information and health screenings.
The market participates in the Farmers Market Nutrition Program and accepts WIC and SNAP vouchers.
The Original Farmers’ Market
indycm.com/original-farmers-market
Every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. from May through Oct. 4
In front of Indianapolis City Market, 222 E. Market St., Indianapolis
Produce, meats, cheeses, baked goods and spices and herbs will be sold at the market that matches dollars spent using Fresh Bucks and SNAP. WIC is accepted.
Educational programming and cooking demonstrations will be featured.
Pendleton Indiana Farmers Market
facebook.com/pendletonindianafarmersmarket
Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. from May through October
Pendleton-Falls Park, Pendleton
Shop from more than 70 vendors, local nonprofits and multiple food trucks while along the banks of historic Fall Creek.
Leashed dogs are welcome.
Pittsboro Parks Department Farmers Market
Wednesdays from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. from May 17 through Sept. 13
Pittsboro United Methodist Church parking lot, 227 E. Main St., Pittsboro
Pick up barbeque, sweets and other goodies at this outdoor market.
Plainfield Chamber Farmers' Market
Wednesdays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. from June 7 to Sept. 13
On the lawn of the Plainfield Friends Church, U.S. 40 and SR 267 North, Plainfield
The downtown market runs every Wednesday rain or shine with about 40 vendors, including produce and meat farmers and those selling prepared foods, crafts and goat milk soaps. Food trucks also are on hand. Special days include those focused on wellness, children and non-profits.
Sheridan Farmers’ & Artisans’ Market
Every other Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. from May 6 through Aug. 26
Biddle Memorial Park, 608 E. 10th St., Sheridan
This is the market's second summer.
Visit for locally-sourced products, including flowers, produce, handcrafted soaps, baked goods and homemade crafts.
Leftover funds are donated to local charities and organizations.
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SoBro Farmers Market
facebook.com/SoBroFarmersMarket
Wednesdays from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 pm. from May through September
Next to Upland Brewing Co., 4842 N. College Ave., Indianapolis
About 20 vendors will be offering produce, juices and prepared foods.
Statehouse Market
Thursdays from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. from May 11 through October
Robert D. Orr Plaza, Indianapolis
This market provides an opportunity to promote locally grown products and produce as well as nearly 40 local food trucks.
Westfield Farmers Market
downtownwestfieldindy.com/farmers-market-1
Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. from May 25 to Oct. 5
Grand Junction Plaza, Westfield
All items sold at the market are grown, raised or produced in Indiana; and the emphasis is on products grown or raised using environmentally responsible, sustainable, and humane methods.
The event is dog-friendly.
Food trucks will be on site.
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Zionsville Farmers Market
Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. from May 20 through Sept. 23
Main Street, between Pine Street and Hawthorne Street, Zionsville
This market features plant, food and drink vendors. While most of the 50 or so vendors attend event week, some substitutions are made. It’s dog-friendly.
Look for live music performances and special events.
Contact IndyStar reporter Cheryl V. Jackson at cheryl.jackson@indystar.com or 317-444-6264. Follow her on Twitter:@cherylvjackson.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indianapolis-area farmers market guide: 20+ to visit this summer
