How to Attend Longfellow Farmers Market Summer

The Longfellow Farmers Market Summer is more than just a weekly shopping destination—it’s a vibrant community ritual that connects local growers, artisans, and residents in a celebration of seasonal abundance, sustainable living, and neighborhood spirit. Nestled in the heart of the Longfellow neighborhood in Minneapolis, this summer market draws thousands of visitors each week, offering fresh produce, handmade goods, prepared foods, live music, and educational experiences. Whether you’re a longtime local or a first-time visitor, knowing how to attend the Longfellow Farmers Market Summer with confidence and efficiency enhances your experience and supports the local economy. This comprehensive guide walks you through everything you need to know—from planning your visit to navigating the market like a pro—so you can make the most of every sunny Saturday morning.

Step-by-Step Guide

Attending the Longfellow Farmers Market Summer is straightforward, but preparation is key to maximizing your time and enjoyment. Follow these detailed steps to ensure a seamless and rewarding experience.

Step 1: Confirm the Market Schedule and Dates

The Longfellow Farmers Market operates weekly during the summer months, typically from early June through late October. Hours are generally 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM, with peak traffic between 9:30 AM and 12:30 PM. Always verify the current season’s calendar on the official Longfellow Farmers Market website or their verified social media channels, as dates may shift slightly due to holidays or weather. The market is held rain or shine, so check for updates if heavy rain or extreme heat is forecasted.

Step 2: Plan Your Transportation and Parking

The market is located at 2500 E 36th Street, Minneapolis, MN, adjacent to Longfellow Community Center and across from the Minneapolis Public Library’s Longfellow branch. There are several transportation options:

• Driving: Street parking is available along 36th Street and surrounding residential blocks. Free parking is limited, so arrive early—before 9:00 AM—to secure a spot. Avoid blocking driveways or fire hydrants.
• Public Transit: Metro Transit bus lines 12 and 17 stop within a five-minute walk. Use the Metro Transit app to check real-time arrivals.
• Biking: The market is on the Hiawatha LRT Trail and has dedicated bike racks near the main entrance. Bring a lock and consider a basket or panniers for carrying purchases.
• Carpooling: Coordinate with neighbors or friends to reduce traffic and parking pressure. Many attendees form informal ride-sharing groups via neighborhood Facebook pages.

Step 3: Prepare Your Shopping Essentials

Before heading out, gather the items that will make your market visit more efficient and eco-friendly:

• Reusable shopping bags: Bring at least two sturdy canvas or mesh bags. Many vendors do not provide plastic bags, and you’ll need space for produce, bread, flowers, and other items.
• Cash and small bills: While many vendors accept credit cards and mobile payments, some smaller stalls operate on a cash-only basis. Bring $20–$50 in singles and fives for ease of transaction.
• Reusable containers: For cheese, honey, baked goods, or prepared foods, bring clean glass jars, silicone containers, or cloth wraps. Some vendors even offer discounts for bringing your own packaging.
• Hand sanitizer and wet wipes: Public restrooms are limited, and you’ll handle fresh produce, flowers, and samples. Stay clean and comfortable.
• Water bottle and sunscreen: Summer days can be hot and sunny. Stay hydrated and protect your skin. The market has limited shaded areas, so plan accordingly.
• Small folding chair or mat (optional): If you plan to linger for live music or a snack, a portable seat makes for a more relaxed experience.

Step 4: Review the Vendor List in Advance

Each week, the Longfellow Farmers Market publishes a list of participating vendors on its website. Review it before you go to identify the producers you want to visit. Look for:

• Seasonal produce: Early summer brings strawberries, asparagus, and lettuce; midsummer offers tomatoes, zucchini, and corn; late summer features apples, squash, and grapes.
• Specialty items: Artisan cheeses, sourdough bread, organic eggs, maple syrup, pickled vegetables, and herbal teas are consistently popular.
• Prepared foods: Don’t miss the food trucks and stalls offering tacos, empanadas, falafel, ice cream, and fresh-squeezed lemonade.
• Non-food vendors: Local artists sell pottery, candles, jewelry, and botanical prints. Many offer custom orders.

Make a priority list: Top 3 food items, 1–2 non-food purchases, and 1 “try something new” item. This prevents impulse overbuying and keeps your budget in check.

Step 5: Arrive Early for the Best Selection

Arriving between 8:00 AM and 8:45 AM gives you first access to the freshest produce and most popular items. Vendors restock early, and high-demand goods like heirloom tomatoes, organic honey, and handmade pastries often sell out by noon. Early birds also benefit from cooler temperatures and fewer crowds.

If you prefer a quieter experience, consider visiting between 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM. While selection may be reduced, you’ll find vendors eager to close out the day and may offer discounts or free samples to clear inventory.

Step 6: Navigate the Market Layout

The market spans approximately one city block and is divided into themed zones:

• Produce Row: Located along the east side, this area features fruit and vegetable growers from Minnesota and Wisconsin farms.
• Artisan Foods: Centered near the main pavilion, this zone includes bread, cheese, honey, preserves, and baked goods.
• Food Trucks & Prepared Eats: Clustered near the north entrance, offering hot meals, coffee, and desserts.
• Arts & Crafts: Found along the west side, showcasing handmade goods from local artists and designers.
• Community Corner: Near the center, this area hosts nonprofit booths, cooking demos, children’s activities, and seasonal workshops.

Start at the produce row to secure seasonal staples, then work your way through artisan foods, followed by prepared eats and arts. This order ensures you’re not weighed down with heavy bags while browsing delicate items like flowers or ceramics.

Step 7: Engage with Vendors Thoughtfully

At the Longfellow Farmers Market, vendors are farmers, bakers, and makers who pour their passion into their products. Take time to ask questions:

• “Where is your farm located?”
• “How do you grow your tomatoes—organic, heirloom, or greenhouse?”
• “What’s your favorite way to prepare this?”
• “Do you have any samples?”

Most vendors welcome conversation and are happy to share tips on storage, ripening, or recipe ideas. Building relationships with vendors can lead to future perks—early access to new crops, reserved items, or seasonal newsletters.

Step 8: Pay Efficiently and Leave No Trace

When making purchases:

• Have your cash ready and count it out before the vendor opens their register.
• Ask if they accept Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Square for faster transactions.
• Always thank the vendor and acknowledge their work.

After shopping:

• Dispose of any trash in designated bins. Compostable packaging is accepted in the compost station near the east exit.
• Return any reusable containers or bags you borrowed from vendors.
• Leave the market cleaner than you found it—pick up litter if you see any.

Step 9: Plan Your Post-Market Routine

Once home:

• Wash and store produce immediately. Leafy greens should be dried and refrigerated in breathable containers.
• Freeze excess berries, herbs, or tomatoes for winter use.
• Label and date homemade preserves or baked goods.
• Take a photo of your haul and share it on social media to support vendors (tag them if possible).

Consider planning one or two meals around your market purchases. This reinforces seasonal eating and reduces food waste.

Best Practices

Attending the Longfellow Farmers Market Summer isn’t just about buying food—it’s about participating in a sustainable, community-centered ecosystem. These best practices ensure your visits are respectful, efficient, and impactful.

Support Local, Not Just Trendy

It’s easy to gravitate toward the most Instagrammable stalls—lavender honey, rainbow carrots, or artisanal sourdough. But some of the most meaningful contributions come from smaller, lesser-known vendors who rely on consistent customer support. Make a point to visit at least one new vendor each week. Ask about their story. Buy a small item. Your patronage helps diversify the local food economy.

Buy in Season, Eat in Season

Seasonal eating isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a practice that reduces environmental impact, enhances flavor, and supports regional agriculture. In early summer, prioritize asparagus, peas, radishes, and strawberries. In July, choose corn, cucumbers, and tomatoes. By August, turn to apples, beans, and squash. The market’s offerings change weekly; embrace the rhythm of nature.

Bring a Shopping List—But Stay Flexible

While a list keeps you focused, leave room for discovery. You might find a new favorite jam from a vendor you’ve never seen before, or a basket of perfect peaches that change your weekend dessert plans. Balance intention with spontaneity.

Respect Vendor Space and Time

Don’t hover over items without intent to buy. Avoid touching produce unless you’re selecting it. Don’t ask for free samples unless the vendor explicitly offers them. Vendors work long hours in the sun; a little courtesy goes a long way.

Engage with Community Activities

The Longfellow Farmers Market often hosts free events: cooking classes, seed-saving workshops, children’s storytelling, and live folk music. Attend at least one per season. These activities deepen your connection to the market’s mission and introduce you to neighbors you might not otherwise meet.

Reduce Waste at Every Step

Bring your own bags, containers, and utensils. Decline plastic-wrapped samples. Choose unpackaged goods when possible. Compost scraps at the designated bin. These small actions multiply across thousands of visitors and significantly reduce the market’s environmental footprint.

Learn to Recognize Quality

Learn to identify ripe, fresh produce:

• Tomatoes: Firm but slightly soft, deep red or golden color, fragrant at the stem.
• Berries: Dry, plump, no mold or juice leakage.
• Herbs: Bright green, no wilting or yellowing.
• Eggs: Clean shells, no cracks, labeled with packing date.
• Bread: Crust should be crisp, interior soft and airy. Smell should be warm and yeasty.

Don’t hesitate to ask vendors how to tell if something is at its peak. Their knowledge is invaluable.

Share Your Experience

Post photos, write reviews, tell friends. Word-of-mouth is the lifeblood of small businesses. Tag vendors on social media. Leave a positive review on Google or Yelp. Your visibility helps them thrive.

Tools and Resources

Maximize your Longfellow Farmers Market Summer experience with these curated tools and digital resources.

Official Website

The Longfellow Farmers Market website is your primary resource. It features:

• Weekly vendor lineup
• Seasonal calendar and holiday closures
• Maps and parking guides
• Volunteer and vendor application forms
• Newsletters with recipes and market updates

Subscribe to their email list for weekly reminders and special announcements.

Mobile Apps

• MarketFinder: A national app that locates farmers markets by zip code, with real-time vendor lists and reviews.
• Google Maps: Use it to navigate to the market, check parking availability, and read recent visitor photos.
• Seasonal Food Guide (by Local Harvest): Helps you identify what’s in season in Minnesota each month.
• Mealime or Yummly: Search for recipes using ingredients you bought at the market. Many include “farmers market” filters.

Community Groups

• Longfellow Neighborhood Association Facebook Group: A hub for ride-sharing, vendor recommendations, and last-minute updates.
• Minneapolis Farmers Market Coalition: Connects you to other markets in the metro area and seasonal events.
• Local Food Co-ops: Some co-ops offer pickup locations near the market or host joint events.

Printable Resources

Download and print these free guides:

• “What’s in Season in Minnesota” (University of Minnesota Extension): A color-coded chart showing produce availability from May to October.
• “How to Store Fresh Produce” (USDA): A one-page guide to maximizing shelf life.
• Market Shopping Checklist: A printable list of essentials to bring (bags, cash, containers, etc.).

Workshops and Educational Programs

The market partners with local organizations to offer free educational events:

• “Preserving the Harvest”: Learn canning, fermenting, and freezing techniques.
• “Cooking with Seasonal Veggies”: Demo classes led by local chefs using market ingredients.
• “Seed Saving 101”: A hands-on workshop for gardeners interested in saving seeds from tomatoes, beans, and herbs.

Check the market’s events calendar monthly—these fill up quickly.

Real Examples

Real stories from attendees illustrate how the Longfellow Farmers Market Summer transforms everyday routines into meaningful rituals.

Example 1: Maria, Teacher and Single Mom

Maria, a 3rd-grade teacher and single mother of two, started attending the market last summer after her daughter asked why their vegetables at home didn’t taste like the ones at school’s farm-to-table lunch. Maria began arriving every Saturday at 8:15 AM with her kids in tow. They’d pick one new vegetable to try each week. They learned to identify carrots by their greens, tasted honey straight from the comb, and even helped a beekeeper label jars. By August, Maria’s kids were asking to eat broccoli. “It’s not just food,” she says. “It’s education. It’s connection.” She now brings her students on a field trip each September.

Example 2: James, Retired Engineer and Gardener

James, 72, has grown tomatoes in his backyard for 40 years but never sold them. Last June, he brought a few baskets to the market on a whim. A vendor offered him a booth spot. Now, he sells heirloom tomatoes, peppers, and homemade salsa every Saturday. “I never thought I’d be a vendor,” he says. “But I love talking to people. I tell them how I prune my vines, how I water at dawn. They tell me their recipes. It’s the best part of my week.” His salsa recipe, “James’ Sun-Kissed Blend,” is now a market staple.

Example 3: The Rivera Family, New to Minneapolis

The Rivera family moved from Texas to Minneapolis in April. They felt isolated until they discovered the Longfellow Farmers Market in June. “We didn’t know anyone,” says Lucia Rivera. “But the market felt like home. The smells, the music, the way people greeted each other—it reminded us of our town in San Antonio.” They now bring their own tamales to sell on the last Saturday of each month. “We didn’t know how to start a food stand,” she says. “The market manager helped us with the permit. Now we have regular customers who call us ‘Tamales Tía.’”

Example 4: Chloe, College Student and Zero-Waste Advocate

Chloe, a University of Minnesota environmental studies student, started bringing her own jars and cloth bags to the market in her freshman year. She began documenting her weekly hauls on TikTok under the handle @FarmersMarketChloe. Her videos—showing how she turns market finds into meals—grew to 50,000 followers. She now partners with vendors for “zero-waste recipe challenges.” One video, “How to Turn 5 Leftover Veggies into a Frittata,” went viral and led to a collaboration with the market to launch a “Waste Not” initiative, reducing food waste by 18% in its first season.

FAQs

Is the Longfellow Farmers Market open every Saturday?

Yes, the market operates every Saturday from early June through late October, rain or shine. It is closed only on major holidays such as Independence Day and Labor Day. Always check the official website for last-minute weather or event-related cancellations.

Do vendors accept credit cards?

Most do, but not all. Many small vendors, especially those selling produce or flowers, prefer cash or mobile payments like Apple Pay. Bring at least $20 in small bills to ensure you can make purchases anywhere.

Can I bring my dog to the market?

Yes, leashed dogs are welcome. However, due to food safety regulations, pets are not allowed inside food vendor tents or near prepared food areas. Be respectful of others who may be uncomfortable around animals.

Are there restrooms available?

Portable restrooms are located near the north and south ends of the market. There are no indoor facilities, but they are cleaned regularly. Hand sanitizer stations are available throughout the market.

Can I sample food before buying?

Many vendors offer small samples, especially for cheeses, baked goods, and jams. Always ask first: “Do you have a sample?” Never take a bite without permission. Some vendors may decline due to allergies or food safety policies.

Is the market accessible for people with disabilities?

Yes. The market is wheelchair accessible with paved pathways, designated parking spaces nearby, and accessible restrooms. If you require additional accommodations, contact the market manager via their website in advance.

What if I forget my reusable bags?

Some vendors sell reusable bags for $2–$5, and the community corner often has free bags available for those in need. But bringing your own is strongly encouraged to reduce waste.

Can I buy bulk items like flour or honey?

Yes! Several vendors offer bulk options in glass jars or paper bags. Bring your own containers to save money and reduce packaging. Ask if they offer discounts for refills.

Are there activities for children?

Yes. Each week features a rotating children’s activity—face painting, seed planting, storytelling, or puppet shows—hosted at the Community Corner. Check the weekly schedule for details.

Can I volunteer at the market?

Absolutely. Volunteers help with setup, waste sorting, information booths, and children’s activities. No experience is needed. Sign up on the market’s website—shifts are flexible and rewarding.

How do I become a vendor?

Applications open in January for the summer season. Vendors must be local producers or artisans. The market prioritizes Minnesota-based growers and makers. Visit the website for application forms, fees, and requirements.

Conclusion

Attending the Longfellow Farmers Market Summer is not merely a shopping trip—it’s an act of community building, environmental stewardship, and culinary discovery. Each Saturday, you step into a living ecosystem where the soil, the sun, and the sweat of local farmers meet the curiosity and care of neighbors. By following this guide, you don’t just learn how to attend—you learn how to participate, to listen, to give back, and to savor the fleeting beauty of seasonal abundance.

Whether you’re picking up your first bunch of basil or selling your third batch of pickled beets, you’re part of something larger than yourself. The market thrives not because of its location or its hours, but because of the people who show up—repeatedly, willingly, with open hands and open hearts.

This summer, arrive early. Bring your bags. Ask questions. Try something new. Share your story. And remember: every dollar spent here supports a dream, a family, a farm, and a future. The Longfellow Farmers Market Summer is more than a place. It’s a promise—a promise that local food, local people, and local care still matter.