Photo by Liz Fitch on Unsplash.com

West Michigan Farmers Markets

One of the best things about West Michigan is the fresh goodness of locally grown fruits and vegetables. Various farm markets around the region offer a bounty of the best-tasting produce around. Shopping for fresh produce is convenient, with many of the local farm markets open from May until September or October.

Here's the list of West Michigan Farmers Markets:

Mason County

Ludington – Fridays from May 23rd-October 3rd, 2025, 2-7pm. Live music from 6-8pm. It is located in Legacy Plaza– 110 N. James St., Ludington. To register or for more info, visit downtownludington.org.

Oceana County

Pentwater – Mondays & Thursdays from June 2nd-September 4th, 2025 and the last three Thursdays of September, 10am-1pm on the Pentwater Village Green- 327 S. Hancock St., Pentwater. Email travelinfo@pentwater.org for registration info.
New Era – Tuesdays from mid June to late September, 4-7pm at 1820 Ray St., New Era. To register, visit facebook.com.

Manistee County

Manistee – Saturdays from late May to early October, 9am-12pm at Wagoner Community Center- 260 St. Mary S. Pkwy. For more info or to register, visit manisteekitchen.org.
Onekama – Fridays from late May to mid October, 4-8pm at 5424 Main Street, Onekama. Contact Nola at onekamafarmersmarket@gmail.com or (231) 375-4877 for more information
Bear Lake – Thursdays from late June to late October, 3-7pm at the corner of US-31 and Lynn Street, 3-7pm, facebook.com

Lake County

Baldwin’s Pure Markette – Wednesdays from mid June to late August, 3-7pm in the parking lot behind the MSU Extension Office- 830 Michigan Ave., Baldwin. For an application, visit villageofbaldwin.org.

Benzie County

Frankfort – Saturdays from early May to mid October, 9am-1pm at Open Space Park- 800 Main St., Frankfort. Call (231) 352-7117 or click here to apply.
Elberta – Thursdays from late May to late August, 8am-12pm AND from early September to early October, 9am-12pm. The market is located in Penfold Park- 1098 Lakeside Blvd, Elberta. For more info, visit facebook.com.
Honor – Tuesdays from early June to early September, 9am-2pm at Maley Park- 10579 Main St. (US-31), Honor, facebook.com/groups/honormarket.

Leelanau County

Suttons Bay – Saturdays from mid May to mid October, 9am-1pm on the east side of the intersection of M-22 and M-204 (between Concord St. and Race St.), Suttons Bay.
Glen Arbor – Tuesdays, from early June to mid September, 9am-1pm from at 6394 W. Western Ave., Glen Arbor
Leland – Thursdays from early June to early September, 9am-1pm at Bluebird Parking Lot- 102 River St., Leland.
Northport – Fridays from early June 7th to late September, 9am-1pm at 105 S. Bay St., Northport.
Empire – Saturdays from early June to late August, 9am-1pm on Front Street next to the Post Office- 10234 Front Street, Empire.

To register or for more information on Leelanau County Farmers Markets, visit leelanaufarmersmarkets.com.

Grand Traverse County

East Bay Corners Farmers Market – Thursdays from early May to late October, 3-7pm at 1965 N. Three-Mile Rd., Traverse City, traverseticker.com
Sara Hardy Downtown Farmers Market in Traverse City – Saturdays from early May to late October, 7:30am-12pm AND Wednesdays from early June to late October, 8am-12pm at the Southwest corner of Cass St. and Grandview Parkway in Downtown Traverse City. (The Market moves to the Old Town Parking Garage during the National Cherry Festival).
The Village at Grand Traverse Commons Farmers Markets – Outdoor Market is open Mondays from early June to early October, 1-5pm. Indoor Market is open Mondays – November 2nd, 2024-April 26th, 2025. Both are located on Cottageview Drive, near Trattoria Stella in the Village. Call or text Diana at (231) 620-3585 to register.
Interlochen Farmers Market and Arts & Crafts Show – Sundays from early May to late October, 9am-2pm AND Thursdays from late June to late August, 2-7pm at 2112 M-137, Interlochen. For more info, visit facebook.com/InterlochenFarmersMarket

More Farmers Markets in West Michigan

Muskegon Summer Farmers Market – Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from early May to late November, 8am-2pm at 242 W. Western Ave., Muskegon. Apply by clicking here.
Muskegon Winter Farmers Market – Saturdays from December 7th, 2024-April 26th, 2025, 9am-2pm at 242 W. Western Ave., Muskegon. Stay tuned for the 2024 application.
Byron Center Farmers Market – Fridays from mid May to mid October, 10am-3pm at 2115 84th St. SW, Grand Rapids. For registration info, contact Cassidy at (616) 490-7294 or cboensch@carecardinal.com.

Stay tuned for the most updated 2025 schedule for West Michigan Farmers Markets!

Click Here for Information on Farmers Markets in Northern Michigan!

West Michigan Harvests

Although the seasons are dependent upon the weather, we’ve listed the time periods when local crops typically are harvested.

Late April-June: Asparagus, Raspberries, Rhubarb, Strawberries

July-August: Apples, Blackberries, Blueberries, Cherries, Corn, Green Beans, Peaches, Raspberries, Strawberries, Tomatoes, Watermelons, Zucchini

September-October: Apples, Green Beans, Tomatoes, Watermelons, Zucchini

Interested in learning more about local agriculture? Read our story about the Agricultural Trail in Mason & Oceana Counties and download a brochure for more details.

Spring Goodness

Asparagus starts the season in the spring, with Michigan being the third largest producer in the nation. Oceana County is actually known as the “Asparagus Capital of the World,” due to its high production of this healthy crop.

Also in the spring comes the maple syrup, a true American sweetener. Here in Mason County, Kistlercrest Farm on Old PM Highway produces about 1,200 gallons of syrup every year. The real thing is thinner than the brands of syrup you buy in the supermarket, but the taste is far superior. The Kistlers also make maple sugar candy, granulated maple sugar, and at Christmas, maple cream candies.

Summer Fresh

As summer arrives, so does a bounty of fruits and vegetables, including apples, cherries, lettuce, sweet corn, and strawberries. Local farm markets and roadside stands sell the freshest produce, picked daily. Near the end of summer, it’s blueberry time. Michigan tops the list for the most blueberries grown in the nation. Various U-picks in the area let you choose your own blueberries.

Fall Harvest

Autumn is a wonderful time in West Michigan, with cool temperatures, trees sprouting gorgeous colors of reds, yellows, and oranges, and best of all…pumpkins! Driving through the countryside in search of the perfect pumpkin is enjoyable in itself, but once you arrive at your destination, you’re in for a treat. Many farms offer corn mazes, hayrides, and pumpkin decorating, just in time for Halloween.