Treat Yourself to a Taste of “Up North” All Winter Long at These Farmer’s Markets

Are you looking for a way to connect with growers, artisans, and craftspeople while savoring quality Up North goods? While many farmer’s markets end in the early autumn, several organizations in our region offer winter farmer’s markets, too! Residents and visitors get locally grown and made food and other wares. Growers and makers get an outlet to sell their products during the winter months. At these community-oriented events, everybody wins.

The offerings at winter markets look a little different than they do during the spring, summer, and early fall. You’ll find more value-added products (such as jams, dehydrated fruits and vegetables, baked goods, krauts, and pickles) and nonfood items (such as body care and home care items, clothing, yarn, and accessories). But you can also find a variety of fresh produce: beets, rutabagas, turnips, carrots, parsnips,  potatoes, onions, leeks, mushrooms, garlic, and squash, to name a few. Some growers who have greenhouses even sell hardy greens like spinach, swiss chard, kale, and sprouts. Though fruit selection may be limited, you can find apples, pears, and cranberries stored from earlier in the autumn.

Here are five organizations in northern Wisconsin and U.P. Michigan that have late autumn and winter farmer’s markets for you to enjoy.

Rhinelander Winter Farmer’s Market

YMCA of the Northwoods, 2003 East Winnebago Street, Rhinelander

Every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Vendors at the Rhinelander Winter Farmer’s Market vary from week to week. Here’s a sampling of the goods you’ll find here:

• Organic apples
• Eggs
• Honey
• Jams and jellies
• Pickles
• Salsa
• Bread and other bakery goods
• Cheese
• Pumpkins and squash
• Microgreens
• Brussels sprouts
• Broccoli
• Tomatoes
• Beets
• Carrots
• Handmade soaps, lotions, lip balms, and salves

Hillbilly Hollow

708 East Wall Street, Eagle River

Every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

At Hillbilly Hollow, you’ll find a fine selection of local produce, preserves, breads, pickles and relishes, honey, syrup, apples, and handmade goods.

Wausau Winter Market

Caroline S. Mark Boys & Girls Club, 1710 North Second Street, Wausau

Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon

The Wausau Winter Market features local food products—such as produce, value-added items, like preserves and salsas, baked goods, coffee, and honey—straight from the individuals that grow, make, and produce them. This market also offers live music, yoga, information sessions, and other happenings. Come to the Wausau Winter Market to nourish your body, mind, soul, and connection to the local community.

Stevens Point Winter Market

Redeemer Lutheran Church in Stevens Point

Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon, from November 3 to March 30 (except February 9)

At the Stevens Point Winter Market, you’ll find local fruits and vegetables, meats and eggs, baked goods, maple syrup and honey, dried flowers and herbs, jams and jellies, and pickles. In addition to these quality items, each week, Primitive Provider serves breakfast made from the ingredients available in the market.

Downtown Marquette Farmer’s Market

Marquette Commons, 112 S. Third Street

Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. until December 14

Although this market does not run all winter long, you won’t want to miss Marquette’s Late Fall Market, which runs until December 14. At this market, you’ll find more than 25 vendors selling locally grown foods and locally made food products, artisan goods, and more. Recent weeks’ offerings included root veggies, Brussels sprouts, squash, and greens.