Shop Hungry at the Dallas Farmers Market

Fresh produce at the Dallas Farmers Market.

The next time you need fresh produce, head to the Dallas Farmers Market. The market is open 7 days a week from 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. and in true Texan form, it is BIG. If locally-grown goods are what you seek, look for the yellow, “certified local” sign (see photo), which means that particular item was grown within a 150 mile radius of Dallas. Vendors supplement locally grown items with fresh out of state produce, as well.

Visiting the Dallas Farmers Market is one time that shopping hungry is advisable, because sellers are eager to offer samples. I tried several new things on my visit, including fruit from a prickly pear cactus. Shop early for the best selection, and shop late for the best deals. Most vendors take cash only, so don’t bring big bills. I thought I was pretty clever for having my own shopping bag, until I saw a family pulling a Red Flyer wagon with an ice chest – now that was savvy. The market is packed on weekends, so if you have a lot of questions for vendors, go on a weekday, when it’s not as crowded.

The indoor section of the Dallas Farmers Market is a good place to grab a bite to eat and to cool off, since it’s air-conditioned. This is also where you can find a variety of specialty food vendors: hormone free meats, organic tea and coffee, smoked sausage, Texas olive oil and much, much, more.

The Dallas Farmers Market hosts special events throughout the year. The Pumpkin Festival is coming up this fall, for instance. The market also offers a meeting space with a demo kitchen, where the American Institute of Wine and Food gives cooking classes on Saturdays. There is a large nursery adjacent to the market, as well as shops offering garden statuary and other supplies. For a list of what is currently in season, visit this link, or – better yet – head on down the Dallas Farmers Market and see what your local growers have brought to the city today.

What: Dallas Farmers Market
When: Daily 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. (The market is closed New Years, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day.)
Where: Dallas Farmers Market, 1010 South Pearl Expressway, Dallas, TX 75201 (map)
More information: Visit the Dallas Farmers Market official website.

Photo credit: Tui Cameron