Farmers Markets
Montana’s consumers are increasingly interested in knowing where their food comes from, how it was grown, and by whom. In turn, farmers and ranchers want to take advantage of this swelling demand for local food by pursuing a broad range of both production and marketing strategies that will capture this burgeoning market. The convergence of these trends has generated a renewed interest in farmers markets, of which there are now over fifty in Montana. AERO is currently working on a three-fold approach to growing and supporting these markets by ensuring equitable access for all citizens, creating synergy among the different markets themselves, and helping producers navigate direct marketing food safety regulations.
- In partnership with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), AERO is increasing the capacity of markets to serve low-income citizens by helping to purchase equipment and train market staff to accommodate and encourage sales from customers using EBT/SNAP benefits.
- Farmers Markets, Enriching Communities Across Montana by Libby Hinsley and Kira Pascoe. 2003. 27 pages. In addition to providing some of the freshest, tastiest food around, farmers markets play a valuable role in promoting healthy local economies and communities as documented in this study conducted by AERO, in collaboration with the University of Montana Environmental Studies Program, and the Montana Department of Agriculture. The study is based on a survey conducted with 20 market representatives around the state, and explores the economic and social contributions farmers markets make to Montana communities. A profile of farmers markets across the state highlighting location, days and times, months of operation, number of vendors, range of products sold, special events, and market needs is included in the study. Available to download as a PDF.
- Starting a Farmers Market in Montana by Sarah Nichols Mowry, and Debra Beaver. 2005. This manual was developed by AERO in partnership with the Montana Department of Agriculture, and the University of Montana Environmental Studies Program, to help answer common questions communities have when establishing a new farmers market. The manual draws on the experience of market organizers around Montana, and features an extensive Appendix that contains sample vendor rules, by-laws, outreach and publicity activities, and many more items that market organizers have generously shared with us. It is our hope that this manual will be a resource to help additional Montana farms, ranches and communities reap the benefits of local farmers markets. Available to download as a PDF.
In addition, AERO will provide beginning farmers with workshops as well as mentorship matching opportunities with established and successful farmers to help start or expand their operations to include direct marketing through farmers markets.
FIND A FARMERS MARKET NEAR YOU:
BIGFORK
Bigfork Farmers Market Cooperative
Where: Bigfork High School parking lot, 600 Commerce Street
When: May 16-October 17: Saturdays 10a.m. – 2p.m. and
June 17-August 26: Wednesdays 4-7 p.m.
Contact person: Ruby Dynneson, (406) 755-0650
Email: prdynneson@centurytel.net
BIG SKY
Big Sky Farmers Market
Where: Simkins-Hallin Showroom, RJS Tower Building, Big Sky Town Center
When: July 9-September 17: every other Thursday 5-7 p.m. (set-up starts at 4 p.m.)
Manager: Wendy Swenson
Contact: (406) 570-2417
Email: towncenter@bresnan.net
Website
BIG TIMBER
Big Timber Farmers Market
Where: Grand Hotel Parking Lot
When: July to September: Saturdays 9 a.m. – noon
Manager: Diana Taylor
Contact: (406) 932-4279
Email: dilota@yahoo.com
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1368, Big Timber MT 59011
Tuesday Market in Big Timber
Where: City Park
When: May 16 to September: Tuesdays 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Manager: Chris Valaningham
BILLINGS
Yellowstone Valley Farmers Market
Where: N. 29th and 2nd Ave. N. Billings
When: July – October: Saturdays 8:30a.m. – noon
Manager: Tina Wiser
Contact: (406) 855-1299
Email: wiser1@swmbits.net
Accepts: SFMNP coupons through Billings Food Bank
BELGRADE
Original Gallatin Valley Farmers Market
Where: Gallatin County Fairgrounds
When: July to October: Saturdays 9a.m. – noon
Manager: Kristi Wetsch
Contact: (406) 388-6701
Website: www.careertransitions.org
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 145, Belgrade MT 59714
Accepts: EBT cards, SFMNP coupons
BOULDER
Boulder Farmers Market
Where: Veteran’s Park on Main Street
When: June 7 through September 23: Saturdays 9a.m. – 12 noon
Manager: Shirley Lambeth
Contact: (406) 225-9809
BOZEMAN
Bogert Farmers Market in Bozeman
Where: Bogert Park
When: May-October: Saturdays 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Manager: Salal Huber-McGee
Contact: (406) 539-0216
Email: slamb3867@jeffbb.net
Bozeman Winter Farmers Market
Where: Emerson Cultural Center Ballroom, 111 S. Grand Ave.
2009-2010 season: Saturdays 9:00 a.m. – 12:00p.m. on the following dates:
Oct 17, Oct 31, Nov 14, Nov 28, Jan 2, Jan 30, Feb 13, Feb 27, Mar 13, Mar 27, Apr 10 and Apr 24
Manager: Kathryn Donovan
Email: info@bozemanwintermarket.com
Website
Accepts: EBT cards
BUTTE
Butte Farmers Market
Where: Heritage Park
When: June to mid-September: Saturdays 9a.m. – 1 p.m.
Manager: Bill Nokes
Contact: (406) 782-3822
Email: nokes@porphrysoap.com
Mailing Address: 1210 Porphry St., Butte MT 59701
CHESTER
Liberty County Farmers Market
Where: Lion’s Park Rest Stop, U.S. Hwy 2
When: May-October: Saturdays 9:00a.m. – 12:00 noon
Manager: Lynda Van de Sandt (Liberty County Chamber of Commerce)
Contact: (406) 759-4848
Email: libecoc@mtintouch.net
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 632, Chester MT 59522
CLYDE PARK
Shields Valley Farmers Market
Where: City Park, 1 block E of Hwy 89, off 3rd St. in Clyde Park
When: June 6 – last weekend in August 29 (except July 4): Saturdays 9a.m. – noon
Manager: Joanie Miller
Contact: (406) 686-4851
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 217, Clyde Park MT 59018
COLUMBIA FALLS
Columbia Falls Farmers Market
Where: Discovery Square, 540 Nucleus Avenue in Columbia Falls
When: June – September: Thursdays 5 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Manager: Cindy Shaw
Contact: (406) 892-7955
Accepts: EBT cards
COLUMBUS
Columbus Farmers Market
Where: Railroad Park, Pike Avenue
When: July 23- September 10: Thursdays 4 – 6:30 p.m.
Contact: (406) 321-1377
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1531, Columbus, MT 59019
DARBY
Darby Farmers Market
Where: 106 Main Street, in the park
When: May 12 – October 13: Tuesdays 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Manager: Nancy McKinney
Contact: (406) 821-3753
Email: darbymontana@usa.net
Accepts: SFMNP coupons, WICFMNP checks
DEER LODGE
Sunday Farmers Market
Where: 500 Block, Main Street
When: Mid-June-September: Sundays, 8 am – noon
Manager: Carl Herman
Contact: (406) 846-1653
Email: anamt@earthlink.net
Accepts: SFMNP
DILLON
Dillon Farmers Market
Where: Wells Fargo Parking Lot at 20 N. Montana
When: July 12 to September 13: Saturdays 9 a.m. – noon
Manager: Mike Berry
Contact: (406) 683-2639
Email: my_berry@peoplepc.com
EAST HELENA
East Helena Farmers Market
Where: City Hall, Main Street
When: June – September 29: Tuesdays 4:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Contact: Wayne, Montana Marketing: (406) 449-7446
ENNIS
Madison Farm to Fork Market
Where: Lone Elk Mall, Main Street, downtown Ennis
When: May 23 – September 26: Saturdays 9 a.m. – 12 noon
Manager: June Patrick
Email: marketinfo@madisonfarmtofork.com
Website
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 213, Ennis MT 59729
GLASGOW
Glasgow Farmers Market
Where: Red Rock Plaza 109, two streets across from Coke plant
When: July-October: Saturdays 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Manager: Tammi Dahl
Contact: (406) 785-4801
Email: ace2dahl93@hotmail.com
Mailing Address: HC67 Box 171, Glasgow MT 59248
GLENDIVE
Glendive Farmers Market and Flea Market
Where: EPEC Parking Lot
When: May-September: last Saturday of the month 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Manager: Bruce Smith
Contact: (406) 77-4277
Email: mailto:dawexth@midrivers.com
Mailing Address: 207 West Bell St., Glendive MT 59330
GREAT FALLS
Great Falls Original Farmers Market
Where: Civic Center
When: June 6 to September 26, Saturdays 7:45 a.m. – noon
July 8 to September 23: Wednesdays 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Manager: Marv Brewster
Contact: (406) 761-3881
Email: mailto:GFFMmanager@earthlink.net
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1986, Great Falls MT 59403
Accepts: WICFMNP checks
HAMILTON
Hamilton Farmers Market Co-op
Where: Corner of S. 3rd and Bedford, Hamilton
When: Mid-May to mid-October: Saturdays 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Manager: Laura Craig
Contact: (406) 961-0004
Accepts: EBT cards, SFMNP coupons, WICFMNP checks
HARDIN
Hardin Farmers Market
Where: Little Horn State Bank Parking Lot
When: August through mid-September: Fridays 7:30 a.m. – noon
Manager: Brenda Hermanson
Contact: (406) 665-2332
Mailing Address: 317 N. Custer Ave., Hardin MT 59034
HAVRE
S•A•T•U•R•D•A•Y Market in Havre
Where: Town Square on 1st Street
When: July 11 to September 18: Saturdays 9 a.m. – noon
Manager: Debbie Vandeberg
Contact: (406) 265-4383
Website: www.havremt.com
Mailing Address: Box 308, Havre MT 59501
HELENA
Helena Farmers Market
Where: Fuller Ave. & Neill Ave.
When: April 26 – November 1: Saturdays 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Mid-July – end of September: Wednesdays 4 – 6:30 p.m.
Manager: Brent Sarchet
Contact: (406) 438-0027
Mailing Address: 9 N. Davis, Helena MT 59601
Accepts: EBT cards, SFMNP coupons, WICFMNP checks
KALISPELL
Kalispell Farmers Market
Where: West End of Kalispell Center Mall, Center St. & 5th Ave.
When: April 18 – October 17: Saturdays 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Tuesdays 4:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Contact: (406) 881-4078
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 665, Kalispell MT 59903
Accepts: WICFMNP checks
LAUREL
Downtown Laurel Farmers Market
Where: Town Square Park, 1st Ave.
When: July 20 – September: Wednesdays 4 p.m. ’til dark
Manager: Kim Womboldt (Laurel Chamber of Commerce)
Contact: (406) 628-8105
Email: secretary@laurelmontana.org
LEWISTOWN
Lewistown Farmers Market
Where: Symmes Park
When: July 9 – September: Saturdays 8 a.m. – noon
Manager: Marie Hoyer
Contact: (406) 538-9181
Mailing Address: 6246 Red Hill Road, Lewistown MT 59457
LIBBY
Kootenai Country Farmers Market
Where: Heritage Museum, 1367 Hwy 2 South
When: May 8 – September 28: Thursdays 3 – 6 p.m.
Manager: Juanita Schikora
Contact: (406) 293-3996
Email: neeter7744@hotmail.com
Mailing Address: 111 E Lincoln Blvd., Libby MT 59923
LIVINGSTON
Livingston Farmers Market
Where: Sacajawea Park
When: June 15 to September 30: Wednesdays 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Manager: Rob Bankston (Western Sustainability Exchange)
Contact: (406) 222-0730
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1448, Livingston MT 59047
Accepts: SFMNP coupons
MANHATTAN
Manhattan Farmers Market
Where: Railroad Park on West Main
When: June 24 through September 9: Wednesdays 4:30-7:30 p.m.
Manager: Pat Figgins
Contact: (406) 284-6574
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1233, Manhattan MT 59741
Accepts: SFMNP coupons
MILES CITY
Miles City Farmers Market
Where: Riverside Park, on Main Street between 4th & 5th
When: 3rd Weekend in May through October: Saturdays 8 a.m. – noon
Mid July-End of September: Tuesdays 6-8 p.m.
Manager: Alice Nile
Contact: (406) 234-5274
Email: ambersky@midrivers.com
Accepts: SFMNP coupons, WICFMNP checks
MISSOULA
Missoula Downtown Farmers Market
Where: Circle Square (Railroad & Higgins)
When: May 2 to September 19: Saturdays 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
July – August: Tuesdays 5:45 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.
Manager: Mel Parker
Contact: (406) 777-2636
Accepts: EBT cards, SFMNP coupons, WICFMNP checks
Clark Fork River Market – Missoula
Where: Caras Park, downtown Missoula
When: May 2 – October 17: Saturdays 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Manager: Mary Ellen Carter
Contact: (406) 396-0593
Email: maryellen@clarkfork.org
Website
Accepts: EBT cards, SFMNP coupons, WICFMNP checks
NASHUA
Nashua Lions Farmers Market
Where: Lions Park, near Civic Center
When: July 14 – September 22: Tuesdays 5 – 6:30 p.m.
Manager: Shirley Ball
Contact: (406) 785-4731
NOXON
Noxon’s West End Farm and Craft Market
Where: Bicentennial Park, downtown Noxon
When: June – September: Saturdays 9 a.m. – noon
Manager: Margaret Gilman
Contact: (406) 847-2113
Email: actmargaret@blackfoot.net
Mailing Address: 10 Growly Bear Lane, Noxon MT 59853
PLAINS-PARADISE
Plains Paradise Farmers Market
Where: Sanders County Fairground
When: June – September: Saturdays (except Sept. 1) 9 a.m. – 12 noon
Manager: Mike, Plains Paradise Chamber of Commerce
Contact: (406) 826-3202
Website
POLSON
Polson Farmers Market
Where: Masonic Temple Parking Lot, 1102 4th Ave. East
When: May – October: Tuesdays 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Fridays 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Manager: J.E. Donald Blais
Contact: (406) 883-3595
Mailing Address: 90 Miriam Way, Polson MT 59860
RED LODGE
Red Lodge Farmers Market
Where: Pride Park, 12th & Broadway
When: July 11 – October 3: Saturdays 8 a.m. – 12 noon
Manager: Hope Smith
Contact: (406) 446-3905
Email: hopeshomemade@gmail.com
RONAN
Ronan Farmers Market
Where: Chamber Visitor Center
When: May 30 – late September: Fridays 4 -7 p.m.
Contact: (406) 676-8300
Mailing Address: 7542 Kerns Road, Charlo MT 59824
SEELEY LAKE
Littlebird’s Marketplace
Where: On the Lawn at Littlebird’s Schoolhouse; 1 block East of Hwy 83, Seeley Lake
When: June – September: Sundays 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Manager: Vicki Voegelin
Contact: (406) 677-FOOD (3663)
Email: littlebird@blackfoot.net
Website
Mailing Address: 1115 S. Earling, Miles City MT 59301
SHELBY
Shelby Food and Craft Market
Where: City Hall Park
When: July – September: Thursdays 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Manager: A.C. Clapper
Contact: (406) 434-5495
Mailing Address: Box 454, Shelby MT 59474
SIDNEY
Sidney Farmers Market
Where: Richland Federal Credit Union
When: August – mid-October: Second Fridays 7:45 a.m. – noon
Manager: Kevin Meyer
Contact: (406) 482-2704
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1648, Sidney MT 59270
STEVENSVILLE
Harvest Valley Farmers Market
Where: Rocky Mountain Bank lot, Stevensville
When: May 2 to mid-October: Saturdays 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
First Fridays of the month: 5 – 9 p.m.
Manager: Patty Nelson
Contact: (406) 777-3629
Email: silverwingsone@msn.com
Mailing Address: 822 Pine Hollow Rd., Stevensville MT 59870
Accepts: SFMNP coupons, WICFMNP checks
THOMPSON FALLS
Thompson Falls Market
Where: Falls Motel, west lot (Lincoln Street & Maiden Lane)
When: June 27 – September 26: Saturdays 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Manager: Katrina Wright
Contact: (406) 827-3559, fax: (406) 827-3107
Email: manager@thompsonfallslodging.com
Website
TWIN BRIDGES
Twin Bridges Farmers Market
Where: Main Street Park
When: May 23 – September 12: Saturdays 9 a.m. – noon
Manager: Allison Wentzel
Contact: (406) 684-5556
Email: Montana.beeline@gmail.com
VIRGINIA CITY
Virginia City Growers Guild and Organic Farmers Market
Where: Downtown Virginia City
When: June-September: Days and hours TBD
Manager: Rikki Scott
Contact: (406) 843-5577
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 154, Virginia City MT 59755
WHITEFISH
Whitefish Farmers Market
Where: Mountain Mall Parking Lot
When: Mid-May – mid-September: Thursdays 4 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Manager: Joanna Barnes
Contact: (406) 862-3451
Website
Mailing Address: 300 Barnes Lane, Columbia Falls MT 59912
Whitefish Downtown Farmers Market
Where: Central Avenue, Whitefish
When: May 31st – mid-September: Tuesdays 5 p.m. -7:30 p.m.
Manager: Nancy Svennungsen
Contact: (406) 862-2043;
Website: svenn@bresnan.net
Mailing Address: 310 Glenwood Road, Whitefish MT 59937
WHITEHALL
Whitehall Farmers Market, Produce & Crafts
Where: Legion Street
When: June 21 – September 6: Saturdays 9 a.m. – noon
Manager: Angel Adams
Contact: (406) 287-3532
Email: patientdreamsmama@aol.com
Mailing Address: 185 Daly Rd., Whitehall MT 59759
WOLF POINT
Wolf Point Farmers Market
Where: MacDonald’s Art and Antiques
When: June – end of September: 8 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Manager: Annie Marie Walter
Contact: (406) 525-3330
Mailing Address: 1436 Hwy 528, Wolf Point MT 59201
