Best Farmers Market in Nebraska and Why (Omaha, Lincoln: sales, to buy)

[jaj121159]

I spent most of the summer selling at the Saturday version of the Norfolk Farmers Market. I sell chickens, eggs and some produce. My sales were so-so.

What I am looking for in my question is what you as consumers or producers feel are the best farmers markets in Nebraska, particularly Northeast Nebraska. Tell why you like your farmers market: for prices, for selection, for hours, for quality of produce and other products, and/or anything else you think is important.

Thanks for your answers and maybe I'll see you next year at a farmers market near you.

[GSL-NE]

The downtown farmers market in Omaha dominates all other farmers markets in the state. Grand Island has a good one too, though.

[jaj121159]

Originally Posted by GSL-NE

The downtown farmers market in Omaha dominates all other farmers markets in the state. Grand Island has a good one too, though.

How so? What makes them good? Is it prices, selection or something else. that's the type of information I'm looking for to be a better vendor.

[JustMe_T3K]

Clearly marked pricing is important.

[Temerton]

I have visited Lincoln and Omaha and I think both are equally good. Each have more of a carnival atmosphere with a lot of crafts and other things besides food. Grand Island's market is dominated by two local farmers whose primary business is farm to market produce. (I think each got their start in melons and pumpkins but now provide fairly descent variety of other garden produce.) Once the season gets going, they are there nearly every day, which is nice and dependable. I live in a neighboring community and interestingly, we are holding meetings this winter to develop what we hope will quickly be a quality farmers market.

[ImaCitiGirl]

I love the Omaha Farmer's Markets. Especially the Old Market one. It's very eclectic (sp?). Lots of different types of people and things to buy. Street muscians give it a lovely appeal. All the doggies people bring make it interesting and fun. Vendors don't mind bargaining sometimes. Lot's of great samples.

The Aksarben market is newer and is held on Sundays (Old Market is on Saturday). It's Ok as you get a lot of the same vendors, but for some reason I still like the old market better. But I hit the Aksarben one practically every sunday too.,

The one out at Village point is only a couple of years old and lacks the flavor of the Old Market. It's not at all very diverse but I suspect that's because it's far west Omaha, which isn't all that diverse to begin with. But it's great that they have one on that end of town cause it can be quite a trek (not really if you're used to living in larger cities like I am but if you're from Omaha and have never lived anywhere else people out west feel like they're driving out of town just to go downtown lol).

This year, I never made it to the market in the Old Mill area just north of Florence off North 30th St. near the river. It kind of died out once Aksarben got started cause a lot of those Old Mill vendors defected to the Aksarben market and they were both held on Sundays. That was kind of sad because it was nice to have a Farmer's Market in North Omaha. I really did try to support the Old Mill market but after awhile there just wasn't much there.

Does anyone know how the Old Mill market faired this year?