Fondy’s Milwaukee Winter Farmers Market

Best Winter Market on the North side of Milwaukee. Checkout Elevated Essentials Fresh Fruit Lemonade best in town, amazing customer service, they also hot drinks; have hot Lemonade, freshly made and delicious all year round

Thank you for coming back this year!! The building is perfect for the winter weather - so much sunlight that warms up and cheers up the building. And such a wonderful variety of vendors!

Busy place today only one more for the season. Will be a great loss to the city of Milwaukee if they tear down the Mitchell Street Domes. This is a great community gathering space

This market advertises using Facebook, but if one does not belong to Facebook, you can't see the posts. I have been able to view posts from other merchants without having a Facebook account, which I'm not going to do.

First time. I'd go again, but there wasn't a lot of fresh produce. A great apple guy, some mixed greens, bread seller, 2 mushroom sellers: River Valley with all their standards, and a new seller with fancier mushrooms and kits: lion's name, blue oyster, and some I haven't heard about, from East Troy. Meat, soaps, CBD oil, juniors BBQ, olive oil, spice mixed, a pretty good variety for first time at this site. Go check it out.

Great little diversion for the winter time. In the greenhouse at the Domes so nice and sunny in there today. Very eclectic of boutique and small business vendors. Food, soaps, meats (we bought some beef bacon to try) , and of course cheese's. Many samples were had including spicy hot toffee and a meatless meatball. Go yourself to try, I'm not going to give you my thoughts.

A hidden gem of goods in the middle of the winter. Parking was challenging and the parking lot really hadn't been scraped for the snow.. But once inside it was all worth it. There were so many great things to buy, and everyone was so friendly. A great way to get fresh goods while waiting for summer to return.

We had so much fun wandering around the winter farmers market! I love the different variety of items available - it’s definitely got more than your average farmers market. Thank you to The Domes for having this and giving us something to look forward to in the winter!

I visited the Winter market for the first time, and it was a pleasant experience. I enjoyed talking to a few of the vendors ago make and sell their own products - so impressive. One vendor had apples and honey - and there were artisans there as well. This market is indoors (thank goodness), so it's warm and cozy indoors to shop. The live musician singing and playing music provided the right ambiance. I recommend stopping by!

This is a great market. It helps bring back good memories of summer, while offering buyers cozy and comforting goods. Loved Matt's Wild Foods for exotic mushrooms I also spent far too much money on handmade pain balms, vegan spring rolls, fantastic preservative free wine cheese and several other items. You owe yourself a visit. Several vendors also offer snack or lunch/breakfast items for immediate consumption.

The winter farmers market is a fun way to spend some time on a Saturday morning. It is indoors and there are several vendors with a variety of goods ranging from soaps and lotions to homemade pasta to salsas and pickled goods. The vendors rotate every week and you can find the vendor list on their website or social media. They require masks to enter (they offer some at the entrance) and allow you to only go in one direction. It is not that big and you can probably stop by every table in half an hour or less. I wish it were larger and had more vendors. Hopefully the winter farmers market will continue to grow over the next few years!

tl;dr Perfect Saturday morning event when you feel cooped up at home during the winter! The MWFM is open from 9 AM to 1 PM between November and April and is a stunning winter market that still gives people the ability to grab local produce, eggs, dairy, meats and see other locally-driven businesses all while getting out of your house because you're feeling stir crazy (thanks a lot, Wisconsin weather!) It's at the Greenhouse Annex at the Domes which also means the natural sunlight in and everyone bustling around keeps things plenty warm inside while you're perusing vendors and sampling stuff. Some of my personal fav vendors: River Valley Ranch (mushrooms, canned goods, granola, etc.) Rushing Waters (fishery), Decatur Dairy (cheese), Valentine Coffee Co (duh), Press. (waffles) and more. Obsessed with granola from River Valley Ranch and smoked salmon from Rushing Waters! Lots of stuff to grab, so bring some tote bags if you're smart (sometimes it even has free tote bags from the sponsors of the market!) If you haven't been to the Domes in a while, you can hop over to the other side and do a walk through (I went in January and it was a fun experience - it had an "Alice in Wonderland" theme at the time.) I'm a firm believer in visiting the Domes and then not needed to go for several more years ..... but the MWFM I will hit up time and time again. Like others have said, parking is ROUGH. I've been lucky enough where when I'm riding through, someone just so happens to be leaving and I'm able to snag a spot. Bonus tip: go in the morning to the market and hit up lunch at El Canaveral (it's this little hole-in-the-wall Mexican restaurant that has AMAZING food - get ready for spicy salsas!)

The winter farmers market isn't so much about farmers, but you will find some there, as it is about local vendors of various products such as cheeses, soaps, wellness products, gourmet foods, hot and ready-to-eat foods, eggs, meats, and bakery. It's located in the greenhouse next to the Domes and open Saturdays from 9am to 1pm. I think it does a nice job filling the void until the outdoor markets start up and again and provides a nice option for a Saturday morning activity. It gets crowded, so sometimes you'll have to park on the street, and the aisles are narrower than an outdoor market, so please be considerate and don't stop in the middle of the aisles to chat. Also, take the small stroller instead of the RV-sized stroller when you visit. Enjoy!

The Winter Farmer's Markets is one of my favorite markets. I actually think I visit the market more in the winter than in the summer! I love that the market is located in the greenhouse attached to the domes. Perfect place to be on a cold Saturday morning as the greenhouse warms up nicely. I like to start out my morning by grabbing a cup of Valentine coffee and a pastry from Lopez bakery or a waffle from Press depending on which one is there that weekend as they alternate Saturdays. Once I have my breakfast, I take a lap around taking stock of what's available. Produce is almost secondary to me which seems funny for a farmer's market but I get caught up in the cheese, bakery, and local honey but there are great produce options. I seem to spend my money quickly at the market but I feel good knowing I'm buying quality items and supporting a local business owner.

What to do on a Saturday in January? Hit up the Winter Farmer's Market and go to the Domes! This farmer's market is popular, so parking in the Domes' lot can be scarce. Street park it if you can. Held in the greenhouse, the market is free, and very popular. Since it's a winter market, there's obviously going to be less produce than in the summer and fall months, but root vegetables and tubers abounded, as well as other food items and handmade goods. In mid-January the market offered: - Carrots, onions, beets, sweet potatoes, ginger, apples, garlic, spinach, herbs - Elk antlers (dog chews, DIY hipster crafts?) - Handmade soaps - Valentine Coffee Roasters (buy beans, get a free coffee!) - A rotating food vendor. Belgian Waffles was the food of the day - Cheese, cheese, cheese! - Edible fungii - Farm fresh trout - Antibiotic free meats - Homemade jams and sauerkraut The greenhouse space is nice, and has its own bathrooms. Since it's winter, we could put our take back in the car, which served as a refrigerator while we hit up the Domes.

A farmer's market in the winter. Yes please! Just simply the fact that you can get produce in the winter is a big bonus and just like that, the Milwaukee Winter Farmer's market was born. Not only is the market itself pretty amazing but it's right next door to the Domes! Winning! I truly love this place. It's a tribute to all things Milwaukee and the greatness that surrounds this city. Held in the greenhouse next to the Mitchell Domes it's a nice breath of fresh air from the winter blues. It is especially cool place when the sun comes out and you can walk-through and enjoy picking out some choice winter goods. From doggy bones and apples to jams or cheese you can find just about anything at the market. It's all done every weekend over the course of winter and we love it. I have never been so privileged to be in a city that has a winter market. Unique as can be! We usually make a ritual of our jaunt here and hit up brunch at one of our favorites, Story Hill BKC, which is not far away at all. What a gem of a opportunity to be able to support local and hop to a winter market right here in MKE! Go early and be rewarded with easy in and out. Also park on the street its just easier...

The market seems to have outgrown the greenhouse space at the domes. The market has become very popular over the past couple of years which is great, but it's so hard to get through the rows and check out all the vendors. Would be nice to see more seating so that you can sit and enjoy food from the different vendors.

Great place to find Beatrix Foods and their tasty, affordable vegan treats! Cash or charge--yay! There is also an empanada booth (Olanda's ?) with a delicious purple corn based drink (chicha morada). I was also happy to see the waffle and Valentine's coffee booths. We arrived before 10:30 and it was packed already. A good array of vendors and also, clean bathrooms on site. A hop away from the 27 and Purple bus lines and not too far from the 23 or Blue on National.

I've been teased quite often for my insistence that Wisconsinites really can "eat locally." But your growing season is so short... What could possibly grow in Wisconsin in February? The taunting, especially from out-of-state friends, seems to never end. But, the idea that there are no fresh green vegetables or local products available in Wisconsin during the winter is a myth. Wisconsin is home to countless farmers, many of whom use innovative methods to grow (and store) vegetables and fruits all year round. Apples, greens, turnips, celeriac, beets, potatoes, carrots and onions represent just a few of the favorites local farmers have to offer during the winter months. In addition to fruits and vegetables, there are also a multitude of local farms which produce milk, dairy products, and meats. Milwaukee County started its own indoor winter farmer's market last fall, prompted in part by groups like the Wisconsin Apple Growers Association, which were looking for ways to assist local growers in marketing theirPinhold Gardens at winter market products after the traditional season ended. The market, which featured produce and products from local farms and Wisconsin artisans on Saturday mornings from November through April, was a resounding success. In 2010, market goers have experienced an even larger market with 30+ vendors including Jen Ehr Family Farm, Pinehold Gardens, River Valley Ranch, Pin Oak Farms, Bolzano Artisan Meats, Saxon Homestead Creamery, and Eden's Market. Products include fruits, vegetables, mushrooms, cheeses, meats, baked goods, pasta, herbs, and a variety of canned & preserved products. The market not only provides a warm respite from the cold Milwaukee winter, but it's a great place to get some of the freshest and best in local products. Artisans & farmers are friendly and helpful, and they're always excited to give you more information about their wares. The Milwaukee County Winter Farmers Market is open Saturdays from 8am-12pm, November through April.

My first visit here . It is a small farmers market. They were doing it right with precautions. You can only go in 1 way and go around to each vendor and suppose to be only 1 customer by the vendor to look and pay . I mean more than 1 person was around each vendor but waited their turn in a good fashion and it worked out smoothly . You are asked to wear masks throughout and to not handle any product unless your sure to buy. There wasn't as much as I would have liked to see but had some vegetables, honey, sauces and salsa, apples,soaps, dips, soup and bakery among other things. In the beginning I saw 1 pump of hand sanitizer. I bought 2 soaps that were naturally made and some homemade granola a churro and a cup of coffee. It was nice to have this indoors so when its Wisconsin freezing you can stay somewhat warm and comfortable walking around and looking. A quick nice thing to do and give your locals some business.

This review is for the parking, not the actual market or vendors. Parking sucks. Suggest whoever runs this show allow curb parking around the entire facility - there's a ton of wasted space. When you're one car of 50 making circles and stalking spots, and end up driving to Cermak instead...

I've heard about the Milwaukee County Winter Farmer's market before but I've never gone so my husband & I decided to check it out. The first time I went, it was the weekend before Christmas (I believe). There were a lot of different vendors ranging from cheese, apples, different kind of meats, some vegetables, bakeries among other others. I was pleasantly surprised how many vendors there were in the lobby & the main dome. I didn't bring any cash so I didn't buy anything. The second time we went was this past Saturday and we went closer to when they opened versus around 11:30/12 pm like last time. There weren't as many vendors but I didn't leave with some dressing and vegetables. I would highly recommend going to this if you are a fan of farmer's markets.

I was disappointed on my first visit, because there was a lack of produce.....it was mostly specialty products like jams and cheeses and hand made candies. However, my first visit was on the last day of the winter market for the season, so I can see why there was a lack of produce. I can also see that this must be an amazing place when it is in full swing. I plan to come back when the next winter season begins so I can experience the real deal. As for the venue, the parking lot at the Domes stinks. It hasn't weathered well and needs to be repaved. It would also help if the parking lot were expanded to where the pond once was and shortened up along Pierce. That area could be made a bit more park-like. The green house where the farmers market is held is bright and warm on a chilly day and a perfect place for an "outdoor" market. 44/2015

Love that Milwaukee has so much wonderful local products and we are lucky that MCWFM allows us to get it year round! I love getting to know the farmers handling my eggs, chicken, pork, cheese, and honey! They are hardworking and super knowledgeable about their products! Not only that they really do appreciate you frequenting their business. I love the organic hand fed chickens and the farm fresh eggs. I also have purchased some beautiful produce! Last week one of the vendors had beautiful watermelon and black winter radishes! Produce also last so much longer than grocery store produce. My spoiled dog has also gotten some treats from farmers market, one vendor has elk antlers and another sells smoked bison bones. Free parking all the time, even during special events. Worth the trip every Saturday morning!

Love the market at the domes. I go here every week in winter to get my fix of fresh local mushrooms. There are so many venders and such a good mix of food its the beat in the area. Can recommend highly enough!

I went on what I think was opening weekend for 2016-2017 and I was shocked at how FANTASTIC it was. Maybe my expectations were a little low to start with. The variety was great, somehow everything seemed clean, the booths were friendly, it was every wonderful thing you'd expect from a really good farmer's market, except inside. Things I found: Kombucha Cheese Elk Antlers Chocolate (x2) Mushrooms Eggs Cider/Apples Meats Soaps Books Salsa Bakery Vegetables (it was still early in the winter season) Tomatoes Ummm....and now I can't remember what else. What I do remember is calling my mom afterwards and telling her we needed to go again next weekend! Dress in layers, it gets hot in the glass box.

HOW IN THE BLUE HELL DID I MISS THIS WINTER WONDERLAND! I don't know if it was procrastination, or just not knowing what this place was all about, but I slept on this place. I probably would still be sleeping on it if my Wife didn't take advantage of a small break in our recently busy lives. I came here not expecting much. I pull in and see mobs of people parked so tightly here that I had to slip on my Spanx for Men and do about six yoga moves to get out of my car. What the fuck? Are they giving out free food or something? We walk through the doors and YES THEY ARE GIVING OUT FREE FOOD! Samples, samples, more samples, SAMPLES EVERYWHERE! Hey, try this bread! Free soup here! Hey Tubby, do you like brownies? It was like a little forty course meal for Oompa Loompas. And that didn't stop me from ordering food from the Blue's Egg Booth (insert heart and smiley face emoticons here). Polenta and a fried egg in mushroom sauce and a breakfast sausage roll? Yes please! I would have been happy just eating breakfast here, but all the good food had me dusting off the wallet. We bought Bison Meat! And Bakery! Cheese from Clock Shadow Creamery! Farm fresh eggs! Noodles made out of fresh kale! Fresh frozen corn with Jalapenos! Hell, I even bought kale and spinach frozen enchiladas! So much good, local food! And it's not only prepped food, cheeses and meats. There were plenty of root cellar-dwelling veggies like potatoes, carrots and turnips. I saw mushrooms and heck, there were even bushels of apples. I would have bought more if I hadn't already stocked up on produce a couple days before. That didn't stop me from buying some red potatoes though! There was even a girl with pink hair and a guitar playing oldies music with her own folksy flair. Did I just walk onto the set of Portlandia? Total sensory overload, and then we start to head towards the door. I realize I'm running low on coffee at home. I walk over to the Valentino Coffee Roasters booth, grab a bag of Sumatra and then the man tells me I get a free cup of Joe with the purchase of my beans..... HAPPY HAPPY JOY JOY!!!!

Yes, Virginia, you can find fresh food in Milwaukee during the winter. If you are up for a little adventure on a Saturday morning in November through April, why not check out the Milwaukee County Winter Farmers Market? Most vendors are "regulars" with a few rotating. River Valley Kitchens (fresh mushrooms), Rushing Waters (trout, salmon and pet treats), Clock Shadow Creamery (the best curds you will ever had and quark), sorghum, herbs, handmade soaps, wild game, farm fresh vegetables and eggs....just to name a few. They do have a good problem that turns into a bad problem - popularity. In my opinion, their audience and vendors have grown out of the space and really should look into a larger building. The isles can be very crowded - be careful to watch for children and strollers. The current site does have free parking, however the lot can be crowded as well while conveniently located to the ramp for the interstate. Take a deep breath, put on some steel-toed shoes and check it out. It is worth the minor hassles. I imagine it is still infinitely better than braving the crowds for Black Friday. Fun facts: Some of my favorite items (in no particular order are): Clock Shadow Creamery Garlic Dill Cheese Curds, River Valley Kitchens Dill Pickled Mushrooms (gone in about 15 minutes when added to a relish tray), Thymely Herbals Homemade Sage Butter (there are shallots in it too...so good) and Mamma's Dressing (the best balsamic I've had in a long time and great to use when roasting brussel sprouts, also found fresh at the market) from Mia Famiglia. Also, if Beehive Alchemy is there, their Aster Goldenrod honey is to die for. Her shaving soap, bar soap and candles are also something to write home about. Bring cash! Most vendors are cash only. There are a small handful that accept credit, but cash is still king.

The Winter Farmers Market move this season from the fairgrounds to the Mitchell Park Domes is turning out to be one of the wisest decisions of late 2013. 1. It seems as though there is much more space for the vendors this year. This is huge, because the space at the Thompson center (fairgrounds) could be quite limiting. 2. You can usually get into one of the domes (whichever is not closed for maintenance) -- for FREE! Stroll around and observe while drinking some fine coffee or noshing on Blue's Egg. 3. Great selection of fresh produce and other items so far -- potatoes, apples, squash, onions, etc. Some of the usual suspects (Lakeview Buffalo Farm, Aleka's Kitchen, Mia Famiglia, etc) and some new faces (Rushing Waters Fisheries, Savory Accents) -- to me, at least. In nicer weather, I would probably opt to ride my bike to this event. It has been quite crowded the last two Saturdays, and the snow/ice has not helped the parking situation. If you must drive, might I recommend street parking on Pierce (just south of the Domes) and walking in? Definitely a must-visit, especially if you went to the old location in the past and were disappointed with either size or selection of items.

I've been going to the Winter Market for a while now-back when it was at the state fair and now at the Domes. Without a doubt, the Domes was an incredibly smart move on their part. 1. More space. It's still pretty packed during prime time, but that's the case with Farmers Markets. It's about the social experience and learning more about where your food comes from, not a simple and fast transaction. Strike up a convo with the vendor and get the deets on where they're from, how they harvest, what they use, etc. 2. Free entry to the Domes. I like going to the market on the tail end as the crowd is dwindling and thinning out. Gives an opportunity to soak in a mellowed out Domes experience, and there's usually still a food amount of food left. 3. Tip: bring cash. Some vendors take cards, some don't. There is an ATM, but it's a $2 fee. You're already paying enough for quality good-don't make it any more expensive on yourself. 4. Parking can get a little gnarly. It's winter bundle up. You may be walking a little. It's Wisconsin, comes with the territory... 5. Go. The food has more flavor, you can meet the farmers, you're supporting local business, and it's a great way to kick off a Saturday morning and soak in some vitamin D in chilly southeast Wisconsin!

This is my favorite Farmers Market in SE Wisconsin. Summer has become dreary while I wait for my beloved MCWFM to open up again. We always start our morning out with a pastry from Amaranth bakery and a cup of joe from Valentine coffee roasters. It gets us out of bed plenty early on even the laziest of Saturdays. Here's the simple truth: you get the best of all the farmers markets in one location. The best meat from some of the best farms in WI (lamb, bison, elk, beef, turkey, chicken, pork, fish and even goat!). You get the best artisanal sausage, cheese, honey, liquor, cider--to name a few. Plenty of veggies all winter too! Biggest Tip: Arrive early. 9 AM at the latest or it gets super crowded and you start to feel claustrophobic. Plus, all the good stuff will be gone by 10. The meat will be more expensive than your used to if you shop at a regular grocery store. But once you eat it, you'll start saving your pennies for the next week. Contact me if you need any first timer recommendations!

Its February so what kind of Farmer's market can there by in Milwaukee? Actually we have quite a nice market but keep you expectations reasonable. The term "Farmer" is used pretty broadly here. Think in terms of nice, natural, things being produced by a back to earth people. Actual grown things are at a minimum (again, it is winter in Wisconsin) but there are several stands where you can get root vegetables and a couple of apple growers. There are also meat producers (grass fed beef, elk, lamb) showing their spendy, but very high quality products. Bread makers (Cheesy Mushroom bread from Water House Bistro is out of this world), Millers, honey producers, soup makers (love the Mulligatawny), Coffee Roasters, soap makers, and Jelly and Jam producers are distributed throughout the lobby and the Show Dome. The new space at the Domes is an improvement over the State Fair Park location. The lobby gets crowded but I love that vendors are situated in one of the Domes. The parking lot gets really crowded so don't be afraid to park on the street. The only reason I can't give it 5 stars is because it is a WINTER market. Can't wait for the Summer versions to kick in around town!

3.5 stars but I rounded up because I'm appreciate having the option to go to a farmers market in the winter. I visited the Mke County Winter Farmers Market for the first time this Saturday. Boy was it crowded! The space was too small for the amount of people and vendors there. I also wish they had a larger selection of foods and products to purchase. However, it was still fun to look around and I left with a small selection of some local foods. Some things you can find there include: yummy cheese, meats, coffee, canned and baked goods, and some produce like apples and brussel sprouts. I like this market, am glad it exists, and am happy to support local farmers. Although there is room for improvement, I still recommend checking out this market!

Ok, so I'm way after the fact here, but I went to this year's final Winter Farmers Market at State Fair Park, and I have been kicking myself that I was not going to this all winter long! What an awesome pocket of bakers, soapmakers, artisans, hydroponic/ greenhouse veggie growers and more! As a lover of outdoor seasonal farmers markets, I was so much more impressed than I thought I would be, and I would recommend it to anyone. Its already on my agenda for next year... but first, summer!

I am totally digging this market, and I wish it was around all year! I have to find more farmer's markets that do this variety of products, as opposed to just produce. Not that there's anything wrong with produce, but coming to a market like this is great. You can buy bakery, jams/jellys, artisan cheese, coffees, spices, meats... and I'm sure more that I'm forgetting. I am used to the West Allis farmers market, which is great. But it's mainly produce. If anyone has other suggestions for summer markets that include a lot of products as well as produce, please feel free to send me a note. The only negative I can seriously say is that the place is busy! I've been there a few times, and it is always full of people and chatter and fun. Love the local businesses, and this place brings the smallest of the small businesses into one spot. Highly recommend this one.

I love farmer's markets, especially West Allis and Dane County in Madison. But in winter I tend to forget about them. Last fall I heard about the Milwaukee County Indoor Market at the State Fair, and I finally got around to checking it out in February. Overall, this is a great Winter Farmer's market. I do think they have outgrown the youth center, as others have mentioned. The space was like any nice summer morning at the Dane County Farmer's Market (PACKED), but without the option to escape to the Capitol lawn in the event of a toddler meltdown or the need to snack on some delicious bakery. It's nice to be surrounded by other people enjoying local goods, but not so surrounded that you can't comfortably carry your bags and monitor your child. But this is not a deterrent to going. I was impressed with the dead-of-winter produce selection (clearly - lots of root veggies, potatoes, and spinach, but also apples!) and the mix of cheese, meats, coffee, mushrooms, chocolate, bakery, soap, and other local goods. The apples I got were great, very surprising at that time, and of course all the winter veggies were as well. I do wish they had more space, but, like I said, this isn't a deterrent to going, as this is a great winter market with a very nice selection of Wisconsin products.

The mushroom people. JenEhr Family Farm. Wisconsin Soup Company. You three are my favorites. But close runner-ups is the guy with the sticky buns on the corner next to the oatmeal guy...oh those sticky buns are sooooo good! Then there's the cheese place in the middle isle (sorry, i'm always the sampler, never the buyer). The Winter Farmers Market is a nice fix for those of us who love them the West Allis Farmers market all summer long. Go.

A great resource for all kinds of food throughout the season one does not associate with fresh and local, as well as healthy and delicious. There are lots of root vegetables (winter radishes, carrots, potatoes, kohlrabi, etc.), but also fresh winter spinach, other greens, as well as apples galore. There are mushrooms, both fresh (cremini, oyster, shitake, button) as well as dried. Oly's oatmeal and granola. Caroline's raw foods. The Wisconsin Soup Company. Gourmet coffee. Etc., etc. Beware, some of the best things (winter spinach) sell out early, so get there early if you want a full selection.

This is my favorite activity in winter on a Saturday morning. It is free and open to the public. The market itself is not in the Domes but inside the Greenhouse Annex which is off to the side. There is plenty of space to leisurely stroll the aisles and see what local vendors are selling. Many of the vendors also have samples for people to try. It is very tempting to try and buy all the wonderful goodness! If you are curious to see who/what is going to be at the market you can always check the website or Facebook page to view the list to find out what vendors/products will be there that week. The market can be busy and vendors do sell out of items depending on the time you arrive. Parking can also be tricky depending on the volume of people. BUT don't let that discourage you from attending. It is such a great asset for our city. See you at the market!

Great market that has really come into its own- complete with multiple prepared food vendors, Valentine coffee roasters, and of course, local farmers. It's amazing how much fresh food is available in January in Wisconsin still! Some random thoughts: This place gets very crowded. I arrived at 9:20 and the front parking lots were all full. Parking attendants directed the rest of us into the back parking lot (by the basketball courts). You then have to walk up to the market entrance. I almost said, "forget it," thinking this is going to be crazy crowded... But then decided to confirm if the crowd INSIDE the market was as bad as it appeared from the outside. And yes, it was very crowded but I still managed to get around. But honestly, come any later than 9:45 and the crowds can be unwieldy. Oh, and for some reason there were a lot of grandparents toting along grandchildren. If crowds make you crazy, then make sure you're here by 8-8:30 am. When I left at 10, the entire back parking lot was full too. I think the popularity of the market speaks to the desire of Milwaukeeans for fresh, local food. If this market's popularity says anything, it's that there's room for another winter market of this caliber in town. But some advice to shoppers: please don't kibbutz in the aisles with your friends. You block the way!

Going to a farmers market in the dead of winter just makes me smile. Local producers putting their blood, sweat and tears, not to mention passion into their products just for us is a beautiful thing. I also appreciated the bison folks selling bones for our four-legged friends. After we tried the Clock Shadow Creamery cheese curds, we headed straight over to the creamery to pick up some of their delicious creamy offerings. Plus, it's free admission and parking. I mean when can you enter the fairgrounds for free?!?

Great place to have breakfast and purchase some wonderful local produce and many unique food and other items. It's HOT in the annex so dress accordingly (it is a greenhouse). The waffles are so good! (Unfortunately I wasn't able to enjoy mine as some old coot knocked it off the table and refused to pay ....). Other than that this is a not to be missed Saturday morning event 8 am - noon.

free admission, free parking - nothing to lose! I enjoy shopping here just about every weekend in the winter. My favorite vendors are Decatur dairy - best cheese evah, the mushroom guy (sorry I do not know the name of the business), the honey lady - Viola, Valentine coffee, Alsum corn, and Alekas greek food - try the olives they are soooo much better than mass produced! I have some elk brats in the freezer that will be put to good use for the game this weekend, can't wait to try those. We always grab a bite from Blue's Egg or Satellite Crepes too while we are there. But word to the wise: buy first, eat later. There are tons of samples and you might over-indulge if you have a meal first. I do want to try the Mia Famiglia vendor next time for their ricotta and some pasta. This is a very scale-able market, easy to get in and out. The veggie valet service is nice too, they will hold your packages for you while you shop in case the load gets too heavy. I also like that there is not a lot of redundancy...each stall has a unique offering. the earlier you arrive, the less people there are. What I like best is that the vendors are so eager to share with you the story of their food, where its sourced, how its made (if applicable), who they are, other products they can offer you. The true benefit of being local is knowing who you are buying from and seeing how much they care. There is an ATM on site, some vendors do not take CC, so be aware... have fun!

This is one of our favorite things to do on Saturday mornings. First off you get free access to the Domes. Second, they have a great selection of local venders. Think cheese, veggies, soup, candy, baked goods, breads, apples, fish, corn, honey...Third, they seem to all offer free samples. Finally, it is our go to place to see Santa. Who needs waiting in lines for hours and being forced to by over priced photos? It is free and we have never had to wait longer than a few minutes (second year going). The only negative is it is VERY busy. I am glad they are doing well but expect to dodge lots of strollers, walkers, and people.