Come with me to the farmers markets in the Birmingham area, and you’ll find so many opportunities to support local farmers while broadening your choices for fresh produce. Let me help you take advantage of this beautiful, bountiful season that bridges the year from spring to fall! First, let’s start with some tips for making the most of your market time.
1. Go early.
The temperatures are cooler (for those Saturday morning markets), the crowds are smaller, and the selections will be plentiful. A slow Saturday that begins with coffee and a stroll around the market as it opens is my favorite.
2. Take your own bags.
We love the mesh produce bags in various sizes that we have been using at the grocery store. They also work great at the market, keeping some extra plastic bags out of circulation.
3. Bring cash and smaller bills.
Yes, “tap to pay” is easy but eliminating that credit card processing fee to the farmer is another way to support their success.
4. Try something new.
We have developed an admiration for Swiss chard, yellow tomatoes, and tiny eggplant. Be sure to ask the farmers what they recommend — if they grow it, generally speaking, it is because they like to eat it and can tell you why.
Birmingham-Area Farmers Markets
Below you can find a list of several farmers markets in the Birmingham area. You can also search for farmers markets all across the state Alabama at this website, organized by county.
Year-Round Farmers Markets
- Alabama Farmers Market– Daily from 5AM to 7PM (the OG of markets open year round and offering seasonal recommendations)
- Burnette Farms Market and Cafe, Weekdays 10-4 (closed on Wednesdays), Saturdays 10-4, Sundays 10-4; cafe serves lunch from 11-2 daily (except on Wednesdays and Saturdays)
- Williams Farm Store and Market, 9-5 Friday & 9-3 on Saturday, with an honor system with what is left from the weekend on Sunday and Monday from 9-5
- The Market at Pepper Place, Saturdays from 7AM to 12PM
- Birdsong Farmers Market, Saturdays from 7AM to 12PM
- Trussville Fresh Farmers Market, Saturdays from 8AM to 12PM
Seasonal Farmers Markets
- Andy’s Farm Market Monday-Saturday 9-5 & Sundays 12-5 in the Spring
- Montevallo Farmers’ Market, Mondays from 3PM to 6PM, June through mid-August
- Calera Farmer’s Market, Tuesdays 3PM-7PM June through August
- West Homewood Farmers Market, Tuesdays from 5PM to 8PM, June through early August
- Vestavia Hills Farmers Market, Wednesdays from 9AM to 1PM, Early May through mid-September
- The Market at Pepper Place, Wednesdays 9AM-1PM, April through June
- Hueytown Harvest, Tuesdays from 3PM to 6PM, May through Fall
- Leeds Farmers Market, Thursdays from 3PM to 7PM, starting early May
- Moody Alabama Farmers Market, Fridays from 1PM to 5PM, starting early May
- Ross Bridge Farmers Market, Select Fridays from 4PM to 8PM in the Spring & Summer
- Columbiana Farmers Market, Fridays at 5:30PM, June through August
- East Lake Market, Saturdays from 8AM to 12PM, May through October
- The Market at Brock’s Gap, Saturdays from 8AM to 12PM, February through November
- Helena Market Days, Saturdays from 8AM to 12PM, May through August
- Mt Laurel Farmers’ Market, Saturdays from 8AM to 12PM, June through mid-October
- Valleydale Farmers Market, Saturdays from 8AM to 12PM, starting mid-May through August
CSA: Variety Without the Market Visit
If you can’t make it to the market but want to support local farms, you might consider Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), which is a program where consumers buy shares of a farm’s harvest in advance. They offer different levels of membership, generally based on the number of weeks you want and what types of items you like. You pay in advance, and each week you have a designated pick up spot. We have loved the variety delivered directly to us and the weekly newsletter sent by our CSA with wonderful recipe options.
