AREA TOWNS – Hardwick’s first farmers market of the season featured Food Truck Friday, May 23, to open the town’s Springfest activities at Atkins Field. The rain-or-shine Farmers Market proceeded as planned despite an intermittent drizzle.
photo by Vanessa Fournier
Craftsbury’s market opened May 17 and continues every Saturday through September 17, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The market in Plainfield opens Friday, June 6, with Greensboro’s a month later, on Wednesday, July 2.
Vermont leads the nation in farmers markets and CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture) by a wide margin with 20.1 per 100k residents, more than double every state except Wyoming, which counted just 12.2 per 100k according to “America’s Farmers Market Capitals,” a Trace One, April 2025 report.
The Craftsbury Market offers music and special events on the Common at 1422 N. Craftsbury Road in Craftsbury, with a pollinator festival coming up, June 7, a Kids Market, June 28, and the annual Antiques and Uniques Festival with expanded 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. hours, July 12.
A diverse group of 21 regular vendors offer fresh produce, bakery treats, handmade goods, unique artisan and body care products, and ready-to-eat foods. Questions about the Craftsbury Farmers Market can be sent to [email protected] or call 802-586-8022.
Plainfield’s Farmers Market is set to open Friday, June 6, from 4 to 7 p.m., then continues every Friday through September in Plainfield Village, at the Mill Street Park by the Grace United Methodist Church stone wall.
Ben Youngbaer, who coordinates Plainfield’s market activities said, “Updates about vendors can be found on facebook (plainfieldfarmersmarket) and instagram (plainfieldvtfarmersmarket). We are hoping to have live music every market as well. and no flooding!”
Greensboro’s Farmers Market season begins Wednesday, July 2, at a new Highland Center for the Arts (HCA) location from 3 to 6 p.m., then continues every Wednesday at the same time through July and August. A bonus market is scheduled on the town hall green at Greensboro’s Funky Fourth celebration, July 5. “Our new location at the HCA provides indoor space for when it rains, restrooms and wifi,” said Carol Fairbanks, who organizes Greensboro’s market.
Along with food trucks and the many usual vendors at Friday’s Hardwick Market, a Youth Booth staffed by young community entrepreneurs offered face painting by donation.
photo by Vanessa Fournier
A steady stream of vehicles and visitors stopped at the vendor tents to sample and purchase items from both regular and part-time vendors offering bakery items, fresh eggs, jam, jelly and pickles, beef, maple and honey products, early season vegetables, artisan goods, a wide array of ready-to-eat meals and several vendors offering distilled spirits.
The Atkins field property, owned by Hardwick’s Center for an Agricultural Economy, offers features to explore during the market, and at other times, with gardens and green spaces, a community orchard, walking trails and a bicycle pump track. The Hardwick Farmers Market is open every Friday from 3 to 6 p.m., through Indigenous People’s Day, October 10. The market has a new website at hardwickfarmersmarket.org/
This year’s Greensboro market will “have weekly live entertainment, delicious food and a beautiful setting,” said Fairbanks. Visitors to that market will be able to play the HCA’s mini-golf course.
The Greensboro market accepts SNAP and Crop Cash, which enables SNAP customers to extend their food dollars, said Fairbanks. “We are currently accepting vendors of fresh and value-added produce, meats, dairy, eggs, honey, prepared foods, baked goods, handcrafted art and other artisan products.”
“The market received a Greensboro Association grant to give away more free food,” Fairbanks added. “I’m encouraging more cottage vendors to try out the market. It’s a good way to make some extra cash in an uncertain economy.”
More is on Facebook at Greensboro Farmers Market (Vermont). Non-profits and other entities interested in tabling, or musicians who would like to be considered for a market date, can contact [email protected] or call (802) 533-2334.
Paul Fixx is editor of The Hardwick Gazette and lives in Hardwick.
