How to have an Awesome Visit to our Late Winter Market

Farmers' markets can be vibrant community spaces where producers and eaters connect directly. But they can also leave patrons full of questions! Here are our top tips for how to have an awesome time at our inaugural Late Winter Market season at Garver Feed Mill.

1. Come prepared with tote bags and cash.

Although many vendors accept card payment, to ensure that you can purchase every tasty looking radish or block of cheese, bring cash. Bring tote bags and any reusable produce bags you may have as well to help reduce the plastic use of your trip.

2. Navigate to Garver and park with ease.

Garver Feed Mill is nestled in the east-side neighborhood, north of Olbrich Botanical Gardens. Check out our market page for itemized directions or click this link to queue up directions from your point of departure. For those who enjoy a winter stroll or bike ride, Garver Feed Mill is conveniently located just off the Capital City Trail. There is parking available on-site at Garver, but we highly encourage patrons to park at any of the nearby public lots or on-street parking locations - many of which are only a 3 minute walk away.

3. Go early and keep the winter season in mind.

Because the Dane County Farmers' Market is a market made up solely of producers that farm veggies, raise animals, and make cheeses in the state of Wisconsin, you'll find seasonal products at market. Look out for winter vegetables like winter squashes and carrots as well as hoophouse greens. Delights sell out early (like apples, greens, and the rare cut flower find!). Check out our product list (scroll to bottom of page) to help plan your trip.

Frost-sweetened spinach

4. Talk to the farmer.

Every time you shop at a Dane County Farmers' Market, you are purchasing directly from the farmer, baker, and cheesemaker who produced the product in front of you. We encourage patrons to talk directly to the producer at every market - but our Late Winter Market is the best market to do it. It is a smaller, more intimate market so feel free to linger a while and ask the producer what that unrecognizable veggie is, or their favorite way to cook up that cut of meat.

5. Taste-test something new, color with the kids, and enjoy some local music.

Throughout the Late Winter Market season, we will feature local musicians, host taste-tests of our producers' products, and provide supplies for some family-friendly activities. Look out for schedule announcements for maple syrup taste-tests, Veggie Valentines, and much more.

Local maple syrup

6. Visit our neighbors.

Although we have a breakfast-sized hole in our hearts from no longer hosting a Taste of the Market Breakfast, we are so excited to be literally a few steps away from a number of food and beverage spots at Garver Feed Mill - many of whom source locally. Fuel your market shopping with a cup of coffee at Ledger Coffee Roasters. Grab a slice of pizza at Ian's Pizza. After your trip (and if the weather cooperates), ice skate at Olbrich Park or take a tropical stroll in the Bolz Conservatory at Olbrich Botanical Gardens. We'll be highlighting a number of these wintertime adventure ideas in the coming weeks - so stay tuned!

If you want to stay up to date on our Late Winter Market, including the weekly vendor list and upcoming kids' activities, sign up for our weekly e-news.