Oklahoma City Farmers Markets

Spring is here! So now that we have warmer days and more sunshine our way, it’s also the time of year Oklahoma City Farmers Markets get a lot of needed traffic. And why not? Who can deny that fresh, whole foods are the way to go. They are healthy and delicious! In addition to that, you also walk away with the feeling of knowing you have helped local farmers stay afloat and make a living in our community.

So here is a list of all of the Oklahoma City farmers markets that you should know are available to you. I have also included several OKC Metro farmers markets that you many not have heard about. The purpose of this article is to inform you of some of the best Oklahoma City Farmers Markets, how each is unique and what each one has to offer.

Oklahoma City Farmers Market #1: Farmers Public Market

It’s history….

Now, this one is probably one of the more known Oklahoma City Farmers Markets. It’s that big, beautiful, historic building just west of downtown OKC. For context, this historic Oklahoma City farmers market has been around since June 16, 1928. That is almost 100 years! Back then, the market was co-located with the Delmar Gardens Amusement Park. The Oklahoma City Farmers Market is iconic in that it has been around a long time and the architecture makes it an easily identifiable image in the OKC Metro landscape. One of the reasons it has been around for so long is due to the diversity of the use of its space.

If you have not been there, the structure is HUGE and the actual farmers market only takes up a small fraction of the available space. In order to survive this long, that space has been utilized for things like weddings, small concerts, trade shows and sporting events. The approach is genius and good for the community in many ways!

What you’ll find…

Since 1928 this Oklahoma City farmers market has brought together local farmers, ranchers, grocers and every day consumers like you and me. Here, for decades, locals have purchased and traded everything from fruits and vegetables, to meat and dairy. But this farmers market also offers several other items, such as a variety of different breads. I also noticed a huge stock of jellies, jams and spicy sauces like salsa and buffalo wing sauce. And if you are vegan, you have more than just fresh produce to choose from. There are usually a few vendors offering baked goods and many vegan cakes and cookies to choose from, or order for a later date.

While many of these items have been seen at one market or another, it’s the location and iconic structure itself that makes this Oklahoma City Farmers Public Market an experience you won’t forget. Even today, you can still see antiques from the 1920s still in place. But the most jaw-dropping fact is it’s size. Farmers Public Market is an enormous 34,000 square feet!

So now that you can better picture the size of this huge facility, let me fill you in on when you can actually go there. The market is open Saturday’s from 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM. Many times you will find a local entertainer picking at his guitar just outside the front doors, giving it a welcoming local feel right from the start.

Inside you will find farmers and vendors displaying their beautiful fruits and vegetables, or meats and baked goods. More recently, I have seen vendors with canned goods, jellies and honey. This is a great way to spend the morning, grabbing a cup of coffee and meandering through all of the booths, picking delicious and wholesome items for your next meal. You can’t go wrong with this Oklahoma City farmers market.

• 311 S Klein Ave, Oklahoma City, OKC 73108
• (405) 232-6506

Oklahoma City Farmers Market #2: Paseo Farmers Market

Now this farmers market is (currently) a little different than other farmers markets. The most notable one is that there is no 34,000 square foot building. In fact, at the moment, there is NO building at all! That’s right. A farmers market, where there are no farmers and no market. For this season, the Paseo Farmers Market is completely on-line! Only in a year of a pandemic will you likely see something like this. In an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19, while still providing delicious and nutritious food to our community, this Oklahoma City farmers market is set up to take your orders on line and have your bounty ready for you to pick up. So here’s how it works:

• visit the on-line Paseo Farmers Market
• place your order Monday – Thursday; you can update and change your order throughout the week (until Thursday at midnight)
• Saturday morning is when they will charge your credit card.
• Pick up your order Saturday morning at Paseo Food Cooperative
• 3020 N Walker Ave (next to the Mayan)

It’s that simple folks. Plus, you get to choose from a lot of different things. Not just fruits and vegetables. This Oklahoma City farmers market also offers meats, dairy, eggs, breads, pasta, prepared foods and baked goods. And that’s just food! They also offer soaps, lotions, fresh cut flowers, gift certificates, books and even records, as in LPs. Wow. You can even sort and choose by producer.

Now, this set up may not last forever. So if I were you, I’d give it a try. You can’t beat the convenience and their focus on health and safety!

Oklahoma City Farmers Market #3: Edmond Farmers Market

The Edmond Farmers Market has been around since 1988 and is located in the charming and historic downtown Edmond area. You can feel assured you are buying some of the highest quality produce in the state because they are registered with The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry.

The market has been doing so well, it just keeps growing and growing! In fact, it has grown so much over the recent years that they have now created a super fun “Sit and Sip” area, where visitors can enjoy a beverage or other goodies, like ice cream pops or cookies.

Due to COVID-19, this Oklahoma City farmers market also offers an on-line order option. Pick up times are on Saturdays between 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM. On October 17th the market hours change to 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM.

While some farmers markets allow pets, the Edmond Farmers Market no longer allows pets, so make note before taking Fido with you.

This Oklahoma City farmers market also has a lot to offer. Of course, the normal things you would expect, like produce, meats and dairy. Bit it also has other options, like arts & crafts, beauty & wellness items, sauces and dressings and herbs & spices. I don’t think you can go wrong at this farmers market either!

Also, I have linked OKC Metro Weekly Events: May 7, 2021, which highlights the Edmond Farmers Market and other events happening this weekend in the OKC Metro.

• 26 W 1st St, Edmond, OK 73003

Oklahoma City Farmers Market #4: Prairie Earth Gardens

This smaller, locally owned farmers market boast its commitment to sustainability and providing only organically grown produce. They have a committed and enthusiastic staff, all with a passion for growing things from the earth!

Prairie Earth Gardens offers many of the standard items you expect to find in a farmers market, like arugula, rainbow chard, onions, sweet potatoes and eggs. But they also offer a whole host of other items you may not have expected from a smaller farmers market. Take their Pantry & Staples section, for example. It is stocked full of other items too, like milk chocolate pecans, black walnuts and honey. I was also surprised to see their large selection of oils, like pecan oil and infused sunflower oil.

I was also impressed with their large home and garden section, where you can find anything from bamboo gardening gloves to long square shovels. Maybe it’s because their entire staff is obsessed with gardening! And after you are finished gardening with one of their gardening tools, wash up with one of their many soaps, most with French names and look very fancy, yet affordable. Or maybe you’ll be interested in ways to beautify your own garden? Well they have you covered. Prairie Earth Gardens also has stock in house plants and even high quality pots to plant them in! And to create just the perfect mood in your own garden, head over to their collection of beautiful wind chimes, birth baths and statues that are available for purchase.

So don’t let this Oklahoma City farmers market pass you by. Prairie Earth Gardens offers scheduled pick ups Tuesdays-Fridays, as well as curbside pick up. In addition to that they also offer free delivery to some areas in the metro, with a $10 minimum purchase. On Saturday’s they are open to the public from 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM and closed Sundays and Mondays.

• 8500 N Eastern Ave, Oklahoma City

Oklahoma City Farmers Market #5: Norman Farm Market

What they offer…

Another well known farmers market located in the south end of the OKC Metro is the Norman Farm Market. This popular market is an ideal place for local farmers to bring their fresh, farm grown produce to wanting clients. This Oklahoma City farmers market offers the usual array for fruits and vegetables, like lettuce, potatoes and tomatoes. Visitors can also choose from various meats, cheeses and delicious breads. Other interesting and unique items that are sold there include canned goods, crafts and even “resale” items that are grown outside of Oklahoma.

The Farm Market, like others featured in this article, now offers an on-line order option as well. Preventing the spread of COVID-19 was the driving force behind that decision. Clients can pick up their orders inside the building. Currently the market is open on Tuesdays from 4:00 PM- 7:00 PM. On these days, purchasers can pick up their on-line orders from 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM. This is a popular way for people with traditional work schedules and allows them the opportunity to swing by after work. On Saturday’s the market is open from 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM and on-line orders can be picked up between 8:30 AM – 11:00 AM. Also they have a very strong social media presence.

What makes them special…

In 2022, the Norman Farm Market will relocate. It is currently at the Cleveland County Fairgrounds. Its new home will be a part of a 2-story, 14,000 square foot facility called “The Well.” This is one of the reasons this particular Oklahoma City farmers market really stands out from the rest. The Well is part of a master plan to make the citizens of Cleveland County as healthy as possible. They are working to that end by creating this “hub” that will provide education, programs, access, activities and events to all of the residents in this community under one roof.

The Cleveland Health Department and Cleveland County are partnering to create this new facility that will offer on-line and in-person fitness classes, cooking demonstrations and health services provided by the Norman Regional Health clinic. In addition, The Well will provide green, walkable spaces for outdoor events.

This is such a unique and positive partnership that I have not seen in this area before. Therefore, I felt it was important to call out. It’s just genius and I can’t wait for it to open in 2022!

• 615 E. Robinson St., Norman, OK

Shop local, be healthy…

So, as you can see, there are a lot of great options for Oklahoma City farmers markets! Each one featured is unique with something to offer. Some are large and some are small, but the one thing that has changed each one, appears to be the impact of COVID-19. Prior to the pandemic, most were relying on “walk-in” customers. Now, all are offering online options. This was not the case before. It’s obvious that outside forced made it necessary for the markets to change how they serve their community.

At least one is completely on-line for the moment. And while others are still primarily serving customers in-person, it is likely none will eliminate this new way of meeting their community at their “virtual” carts.

Farmers markets are not dead. In fact, they are thriving despite all of the obstacles that 2020 threw their way. It is up to us to help them continue to survive and thrive Part of that is done by just simply being aware they are out there. Let’s be real. Farmers markets seldom have commercials and big budget advertising. And without big ad dollars, some of us may forget they even exist and continue along our busy way hitting the grocery store after work. So now you know! At least if you are in the Oklahoma City area that farmers markets are alive and well. So, take advantage! Eat healthy.