Santa Fe Farmers' Market

This year is the 50th anniversary of the Santa Fe Farmers' Market! The late 1960s saw the first semblance of this market – a loose knit group of farmers who banded together to sell produce out of the back of their pick-ups. Throughout the next 4 decades the Market moved from parking lots to parks. Ten years ago, the Santa Fe Farmers’ Market Institute (our sister non-profit) built the Market Pavilion – a permanent home for the Farmers’ Market in the Railyard district of downtown Santa Fe. Now, each Saturday, we offer one of only two year-round markets in New Mexico. And, to best serve our community, we have added two additional markets in the Railyard AND an ancillary market (El Mercado del Sur) on the Southside of town.

The Santa Fe Farmers’ Market is often ranked among the top markets in the US, due to the large variety of items sold and the specialty items specific to this region. Unlike most farmers’ markets in the U.S., we assure that 100% of the produce is grown in northern New Mexico, as is at least 70% of ingredients used in processed items. We celebrate our farming community – which has a rich 500+ year heritage. We have become a community meeting place, providing a place each week for thousands of people to gather, interact with farmers, and learn where their food comes from. We are #TrulyLocal!!

Because it is our 50th anniversary (and the 10th anniversary of our permanent location), there will be many special events taking place over the next two weeks and the rest of the year, including a Community Picnic on August 12. The Santa Fe Farmers’ Market Institute will be implementing many valuable programs, such as Double Up Food Bucks (food stamp matching), Fresh Rx (vouchers given by health providers), Local Food for Local Kids (children’s nutrition program), and Market Fresh Cooking (live food demos).

We are constantly trying to educate our community about the value of buying local produce and knowing where their food comes from and the benefits that brings to the local economy, our health, and the environment. Even so, many people who survive on a limited budget may not think the Market is the right place for them – but there is something available in every price point! Eating healthy and local doesn’t need to break the bank. So, help us spread the word that farmers’ markets are for everyone!