Your guide to 15 local farmers markets in Birmingham

Pepper Place has become the iconic farmers market in Birmingham.
Vintage pic of Jones Valley founder Edwin Marty (l) at Pepper Place Market back in 2004. Photo from Facebook

Birmingham’s local farmers’ markets are plentiful in number and in offerings. At them, you’ll find fresh produce, meats, cheeses, flowers, handcrafts, handmade soaps, herbal medicines and so much more. Plus, you’re likely to run into friends and neighbors, making your outing all the more rewarding.

We’re guessing Bham Now’s readers are familiar with Pepper Place Farmer’s Market. Some of you may have even been to the Alabama Farmers’ Market in North Birmingham. But what about all those local farmers’ markets that pop up in church parking lots or tucked away neighborhoods?

Today, we wanted to fill you on in the details of where and when you’ll find those markets. Of course, we’re bound to miss a few, so please, tag us on social media and let us know what we missed.

1. The Farmers Market at Shades Valley Presbyterian

The Farmers Market at Shades Valley Presbyterian takes place on Wednesdays from 3-6 from May 22-August 14, 2019.
You’ll find all sorts of tasty things at Shades Valley Presbyterian’s Farmers Market. Photo from Facebook

Each Wednesday afternoon throughout the summer, you can stop by Shades Valley Presbyterian to buy fresh, local produce straight from growers. The farmers market offers a chance to visit with friends and neighbors, get to know local farmers, and buy healthy and delicious food.

  • Shades Valley Presbyterian Church
  • May 22-August 14, 2019
  • Wednesdays, 3-6pm

2. East Lake Market

East Lake Market is a fun community hub with food, music and more.
The Saturday morning East Lake Farmers Market is a nice gathering place for the neighborhood. Photo from Facebook

This local market serving folks on the eastern side of town opens each year with a Strawberry Festival. You’ll find local craft vendors, musicians and baked goods, along with loads of produce and a chance to sit and play giant checkers in the shade for a while.

  • East Lake United Methodist Church
  • May 4-October 12, 2019
  • Saturdays from 8AM to noon
  • Accepts SNAP/EBT and Senior Nutrition Coupons.

3. West Homewood Farmer’s Market

“A community gathering of people who want to build relationships around things that are good.” Voted as 2015’s “Best Farmer’s Market” in Central Alabama. Food trucks, local farm vendors, arts and crafts for sale and live music, right across from Patriot Park.

  • Shades Valley Community Church
  • Tuesdays June, July and 1st Tuesday in August, 5-8PM

4. The Farm Stand at Woodlawn High School

The Farm Stand at Woodlawn High School is student-run and awesome.
High school kids rule at the Farm Stand at Woodlawn High School. Photo from Facebook

This student-run farm stand has seasonal produce, flowers, and fruit three days a week in a part of town where it’s often hard to get those things.

  •  Woodlawn High School: the Farm Stand is next to the Farm Center, with parking available behind the high school
  • May-November, 2019
  • Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3-5:30PM

5. Valleydale Farmers’ Market

Valleydale Farmers Market takes place on Saturdays from 8AM-noon from late May through the Summer.
All the fresh things. Photo from Facebook

Baked goods, artisan goodies, beautiful produce. What’s not to love?

  • Faith Presbyterian
  • Saturdays, beginning May 25, 2019
  • 8AM-noon

6. The Farm Stand at UAB

Locally grown fruits and vegetables from Boozer Farms.

  • The Kirklin Clinic of UAB Hospital
  • Mondays, Tuesdays & Fridays, 10AM-2PM
  • February 11-December 6, 2019

7. The MarketPlace at Lee Branch

The MarketPlace at Lee Branch has all sorts of fresh things.
Amazing to be able to get all the fresh things in a parking lot. Photo from Facebook

“A Rain or Shine certified Alabama Farmers Market with local fruits, vegetables, eggs, grass fed meat, and unique artisans with an Alabama flair.”

  • Saturdays, 7:30AM-noon
  • May 18-September 28, 2019

8. Ross Bridge Farmers Market

Ross Bridge Farmers Market has all kids of great things to try.
So many treats to discover at Ross Bridge Farmers Market. Photo from Facebook

Fresh produce, live music, children’s activities, food trucks and more!

  • Fridays, 4-8PM
  • May 17-August 23, 2019

9. Rocky Ridge Church Farmers’ Market

If Birmingham, Alabama didn't have churches, I'm not sure we'd have farmers markets.
Would we have farmers markets in Alabama if we didn’t have churches? Photo from Facebook
  • Rocky Ridge Cumberland Presbyterian Church
  • Wednesdays 3-6PM
  • May 8-mid-September, 2019

10. Mountain Brook Farmers Market

Mountain Brook Farmers Market is the place to go for people who want to shop for veggies with plenty of space and woods nearby.
If the idea of shopping in a nice, spacious, wooded setting appeals to you, this is the market for you. Photo from Facebook

You’ll find all kinds of things at this non-crowded market, from produce to sugar scrubs to flowers.

  • Mountain Brook Presbyterian Church
  • May 18-late August, 2019
  • Saturdays 8AM-noon

11. Trussville Fresh Farmers Market

Trussville Fresh Farmers Market has food, music and fun.
Twice a week fun and food in Trussville. Photo from Facebook

All the yummy things, plus live music and family fun.

  • Holy Cross Episcopal Church
  • April-November
  • Tuesday afternoons, 1-5PM
  • Saturdays, 8AM-noon

12. Hueytown Harvest

Hueytown Harvest Farmers Market.
Hueytown Harvest has so much to offer. Photo from Facebook

“A gathering place for our community, where local farmers and entrepreneurs can sell directly to the consumer. We’re promoting local economic development as well as social and community building through educational and family-friendly activities.

  • Saturdays, 8am-1pm, rain or shine
  • May 11 – August 31, 2019

13. Bessemer Farmers Market—Alex Bradford Park

Bessemer has two farmers markets - one at Alex Bradford Park.
You can get lots of fresh yummy things in Bessemer. Photo from Facebook
  • Saturday mornings, 8AM-noon
  • June-late September, 2019
EBT works at some farmers markets, and double up food bucks can get you free fruits and veggies.
EBT is accepted at some farmers markets, and Double Up gets you free fruits and veggies. Photo from Facebook

14. Bessemer Farmers Market—UAB Medical West

Bessemer Farmers Market also has a day at UAB Medical West.
Indoor farmers markets can be fun, too. Photo from Facebook
  • UAB Medical West, near Subway and the Cafeteria
  • Tuesdays, 11AM-2PM
  • June-late September, 2019

15. Vestavia Hills Farmers Market

The Vestavia Hills Farmers Market has seasonal veggies, baked goods and fruits from local producers.
Farmers markets build community as well as health. Photo from Facebook

Seasonal vegetables, baked goods and fruits from local producers.

  • Scout Square (organized by Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church)
  • May 15-August 28
  • Wednesdays, 10AM-1PM

We have an abundance of farmers markets here in the Birmingham area. And, we all owe a huge debt of gratitude to the United Methodists, the Presbyterians, and the Episcopalians for generously hosting so many local farmers’ markets. These are places where we can all get fresh, healthy food (and a few simply delicious treats), while visiting with our friends and neighbors.

So now, tell us, Birmingham, what’s your favorite farmers’ market? Which ones did we miss?

Sharron Swain
Sharron Swain

Writer, Interviewer + Adventurer | Telling stories to make a difference

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