Here in Springfield and the surrounding area, we have some great farmers' markets. Each market has a large selection of vendors, selling everything from fresh vegetables and fruit to eggs and coffee. I absolutely love getting out on Saturday mornings and visiting as many of the markets in the area as possible. With so many great vendors, I’m sharing a handful that I have enjoyed visiting.
Farmers Market of the Ozarks
2144 E. Republic Road, Springfield
Open every Saturday 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
Blue Heron Farm & Bakery
Blue Heron Farm & Bakery is a farm in Marshfield that has quite the collection of items at Farmers Park. You can get duck eggs, fresh veggies, and a selection of baked goods. They also have a great selection of coffee that you can order either hot or iced. When you visit, make sure to check out the pastry case, they have a lemon galette that is heavenly.
Millsap Farm
Millsap Farm is a 20-acre farm located just outside of Springfield. They are growing organic vegetables all year long with their greenhouses. Not only do they have great veggies at the farmers market, but you can also pick bouquets of gorgeous flowers. May through October they do Thursday night pizza club. You get to enjoy wood-fired; handmade pizzas cooked in their hearth ovens.
Food Trucks
After a day of shopping at your local vendors at the Farmers Market of the Ozarks, you have surely worked up an appetite. Look no further than the line of great local food trucks that are set up on Saturdays at Farmers Park. Grab a delicious pasty or sausage roll from London Calling Pasty Co. or some spicy hot sauce at Springfield Trading Co. Have a sweet tooth you need to take care of? Sisters Fried Pies can take care of that for you. You can also pick up a tasty beverage from Springfield Brewing Company. Whatever you are in the mood for, there is something for everyone!
Greater Springfield Farmers Market
2825 S. Glenstone Ave., Springfield
Open 8 am. - Noon Tuesday-Thursday
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April - October
Open 8 am. - Noon every Saturday:
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Year-round
The Red Fern Farm
If you are on the hunt for some meat to throw on the grill, Red Fern Farm has your back. They have a large selection of pasture-raised poultry and eggs, forest-raised pork and 100% grass-fed beef. Not only would you be supporting a great local farm but also be picking up some excellent meat to throw on the grill.
Trailer Perk Coffee
If you are like me, then being appropriately caffeinated in the mornings is a must. So why not grab a tasty beverage from Amber at Trailer Perk Coffee? They have a great menu of hot and iced coffees for you to sip on while shopping the market. You can get a chai tea, Italian soda or a butter pecan latte called The Airstream which is my personal favorite.
What’s Alfredo?
What’s Alfredo? is a great local personal chef that will come to your home and make you an elegant Italian meal. But did you know that they have a booth set up at the Greater Springfield Farmers Market on Saturdays? You can pick up a variety of fresh pasta, everything from whole wheat, vegetable infused or even squid ink pasta. Stop in and say hi to Lorenzo and Kaylee and pick up something tasty.
The C-Street City Market
321 E. Commercial St., Springfield
Thursday 4-8 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Yo Seasonings
While you are at the C-Street Market, purchasing your fresh fruit, veggies, and meat, you must stop and visit Yolanda from Yo Seasonings! With 15 different types of seasonings to choose from, you will find the perfect match for your meal. Yo Seasonings offers many different fruit-based rubs, like pineapple, peach, apple, and strawberry. All the fruit rubs are made with real fruit. They also have some classics that every household needs, like taco, mango jerk, and cilantro lime seasoning.
Julia’s Java Gourmet Coffee
Everyone needs to caffeinate while they are shopping, so why not do so with great local coffee? Julia’s Java Gourmet Coffee has excellent coffee beans from small batch coffee roasters that make for an excellent cup of coffee. While visiting Julia’s, you can find gourmet specialty tea as well. They sell everything from black and green tea to mango and pomegranate, which would be perfect for either a hot cup tea or iced tea.
Cedar Vista Farms
A small farm near Brighton, Cedar Vista is bringing all sorts of freshness to the C-Street Market. You can pick up some free-range eggs and pastured pork. If looking from something to throw on the grill this weekend, check out their great selection of pork brats. They have Mango Habanero, mushroom and Swiss, buffalo bleu cheese and even jambalaya brats.
Ozark Farmers Market at Finley Farms
Thursdays from 3-7 p.m. May-September
Girl Dad BBQ
While visiting Finley Farms for the weekly farmers market, you will smell the rich aroma of barbecue. That delicious smell will be coming from the Girl Dad BBQ tent. You can pick up some traditional BBQ favorites like sliced brisket and pulled pork. They also create some dishes you might not have had before, like Rodeo Egg Rolls, egg rolls that are filled with brisket, queso and sweet corn. The must-try is the jumbo smoked turkey leg and the pork belly lollipops. What is a pork belly lollipop you ask? Its smoked pork belly on a stick covered in BBQ sauce and their house-made aioli.
Nelly’s Peruvian and South American Food Truck
Some of the best food to eat on the go are empanadas, and Chef Nelly with the Peruvian & South American Food Truck has some of the best around. You can spot Nelly’s white and red food truck the moment you arrive at the farmer’s market. You can pick up quinoa croquettes, jalapenos rellenos, or one of the many empanadas on the menu. They offer beef, chicken, chorizo, sausage, ham and even elk and bison.
Chuck Wagon Soda and Lemonade
The weather is warm, and you are in search of something cool to drink. Chuck Wagon Soda and Lemonade has you covered. They offer a wide variety of lemonade and limeades that are made with real, fresh fruit. They have cherry, tropical, wild berry and strawberry, along with sugar free options as well. So, while you are shopping for local produce, pick up a freshly squeezed lemonade to quench your thirst.
Metro Eats Farmers Market
2463 West Sunshine St., Springfield
Wednesday 3:30-7 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
Quick Roots Juice
Quick Roots Juice is a great locally owned business that makes even greater cold pressed juice and smoothies. They offer such a great selection of fresh pressed juice, that are all vegan, gluten-free and non-gmo. You can get anything from the Green Dream, which is made from apples, lemon and kale, to the Basic B that's loaded with apple, carrots, beets, lemon and orange. Find them at the Metro Eats Farmers market on Saturday or even schedule to have your juice delivered for free within the city limits of Springfield.
The Crepe Shack
The moment you arrive at the farmers market on Saturday, you must treat yourself to a delicious crepe from The Crepe Shack! Their menu is filled with a great selection of sweet and savory crepes, which makes it hard to choose just one. If you are in a savory mood, the Monte Cristo might be right up your alley made with melted swiss and gruyere cheese, and then topped with raspberry mustard and powdered sugar. If your sweet tooth is leading you to the Crepe Shack, the Strawberry Fields crepe might be just what the doctor ordered. Cheesecake filled with fresh strawberries, a homemade strawberry sauce and topped with whipped cream and powdered sugar.
Mama G’s Kitchen, Lovely Creations
Comfort food is the name of the game when you visit Mama G’s Kitchen Lovely Creations at the Metro Eats. Soul food Saturday at Mama G’s is where you can pick up some meatloaf, smothered chicken, jambalaya and even some brown beans for dinner. But what about dessert? They have that covered with banana pudding and a cheesecake crunch bowl. Swing by after you have picked up your fresh veggies at the market and have a great lunch at Mama G’s Kitchen.
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