Farmers Market (St. Louis, Troy, Bowling Green: buy, agriculture, best place)

[Power Strokin']

Last weekend we visted Soulards Market in St. Louis. LOVED the overall atmosphere and checking everything out. Something that was suprising was the lack of local produce. Most everything we seen was items that had come from other states and looked like the same items I find in the grocery store, not "homegrown" items I was thinking I would find. Was my "wishful "thinking just that....????

We LOVE LOVE LOVE fresh vegetables. Also love to pressure cook and put them up for the winter months. So with that in mind where are the best places to find such in and around St. Louis. Don't mind a nice drive either to find the good stuff!

Being new here its hard sometimes to find the right place. However, I know you guys can point me in the right direction.

Maybe next year I will be able to plant a small patch of my own. Until then I need some directions please!

[Sillypups]

There are several farmers markets...Silex, MO...Troy, MO...Bowling Green, MO...
Fresh veggies are still being grown, the earliest to get MO tomatoes would be early mid July...usually later July.
I do know that July 11th 8Am-1PM...there will be the usual farmers market, but something new that day, they will also have a auction. That is at the Silex, MO farmers market.
Directions... Hwy 70 west to Hwy 61 North ...exit Hwy E.. hwy E is on your left approx 5 miles on E thru the little town of Silex. Farmers Market in city park on your right.

Nice drive...The earlier you get there the better chances of getting what you want.

We haven'e been to Bowling Green , market, but plan to one of these Saturdays.

[jlawrence01]

Originally Posted by Power Strokin'

Last weekend we visted Soulards Market in St. Louis. LOVED the overall atmosphere and checking everything out. Something that was suprising was the lack of local produce. Most everything we seen was items that had come from other states and looked like the same items I find in the grocery store, not "homegrown" items I was thinking I would find. Was my "wishful "thinking just that..

There are markets like Eastern Market in Detroit which have a lot of local farmers as vendors. Soulard in St. Louis is more of a surplus market; that is, the vendors head up to the produce wholesalers and buy the remainders. You can get some great deals at Soulard but plan to use it all up within a few days.

[ShadowCaver]

Suppose you may have already seen these resources - listings of farmers markets around the state:
Missouri farmers market directory at farmers market online
Farmers' Market Directory
Farmers' Markets

For those wanting to venture into IL side:
Farmers' Markets Illinois Department of Agriculture

[Power Strokin']

Thanks for the information folks! I am looking for the local farmers as vendors for sure! ShadowCarver those links really helped out a lot. I was able to map out some of the ones close by using the region tools. That helps a lot when you don't where you at! HA! Ahhh the joys of learning a new place!