Twice the Freshness: Woodbury Farmers Market

Nothing says “summer” like the unique colors, fragrant aromas and mouth-watering flavors of garden-fresh fruits, vegetables and other locally grown produce.

The St. Paul Farmers Market in Woodbury is known for delivering all of those favorites, and—in just a few days—the popular summertime tradition returns.

The outdoor market will once again take place at two Woodbury locations: / on Sundays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., June 19 to Oct. 30; and at City Walk (off Woodbury Drive) on Wednesdays from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., June 29 to Oct. 12.

“We felt the city could use a weekday market, because some said they couldn’t get out on Sundays,” said Jack Gerten, St. Paul Farmers Market manager. “We’ve been open for three years at City Walk, eight years at Central Park, to fit more customers. There are newer vendors, the variety of products is growing—like different hot peppers, different varieties of sweet corn and tomatoes. … The selection is constantly changing.”

Comparing the two, “the Sunday market (at Central Park) currently has a wider selection, with more value-added products such as salsas and maple syrups. A meat vendor comes every other week. They’ve got all the vegetables that can be grown in Minnesota," Gerten said.

Gerten added: "The two markets are getting closer to being similar.”

Hilary Baskin, a barista at at City Walk, said she and her family have enjoyed being patrons of Woodbury’s Central Park Farmers Market location.

“I love it," she said. "We buy everything from there that we possibly could—we hardly get anything from the grocery store, that we could get there. They have very pretty flowers.”

Because she had started working at the coffee shop last January, she was not aware of the summertime farmers market location at City Walk. When Patch told her about it, she thought it would be a “super convenient” opportunity.

“I’m definitely going to have to check that out. It should bring business here—I mean, you can grab a coffee and then go shop,” Baskin said.

While shopping (perhaps with a cup of joe) among the colorful harvest at both Woodbury locations, be sure to look for broccoli, spinach, radishes and strawberries right way, as they will be at their peak in late June. A few weeks later, enjoy blueberries, beets, green beans, peas, and kohlrabi, which peak in July. Later that month, and in early August, you’ll find sweet corn, cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes and summer squash at their best.

To see a chart of peak seasons for various fruits, vegetables and other locally grown produce, download this calendar from the St. Paul Farmers Market website.

Operated by the St. Paul Growers' Association, the Farmers Market sells only fresh, locally grown products that go directly from the grower to the consumer, according to its website.

Click here for more information, or call the Farmers Market hotline at 651-227-6856.