Columbia Farmer’s Market

Providing fresh, local food to Columbia MO for 30 years

“First organized in 1980, the Columbia Farmers Market has grown to become one of the premier locations for locally grown and produced food, crafts, plants, and more in mid-Missouri. The Market was founded by a small group of farmers who had been selling their wares out of pickup trucks at gas stations and other locations around the city.”
“As a producer-only market, everything sold here is offered by the farmers and artisans who help sustain the culture, economy, and environment of our region. If you did not grow or produce it yourself, you cannot sell it here. This ensures the freshest and highest quality product for our consumers, who can find out exactly where their food came from and how it was grown or raised. The Columbia Farmers Market has almost 90 vendors, most of whom are located in or near Boone County.”

“Recently, a renewed effort to establish a permanent home for the Columbia Farmers Market has begun to yield results. An important Memo of Understanding with the City of Columbia was signed in May 2007, allowing fundraising and design work on the project to begin. The Columbia Farmers Market Pavilion is currently being envisioned as a resource available to all in the community. The goal is to build a permanent, roofed structure at the current market location, with established restroom facilities that can be used to house both the market and larger community events such as weddings, reunions, and festivals. Visit www.farmersmarketpavilion.org to learn more about the project.”

“Over the last few years, the Columbia Farmers Market has experienced tremendous growth, with weekend customer counts regularly surpassing 4,000 and membership expanding to include nearly 70 local farmers, producers, and artisans. The Market is deeply involved within the community, regularly hosting musicians, artisans, non-profit groups, educational opportunities, and many other special events for which the Market is a natural source of public contact. With more and more national attention focusing on the benefits of local food supplies, and a renewed push for a permanent home, the future looks bright for the Market. Come visit us and experience the best foods and crafts that mid-Missouri has to offer!”