A Guide To The Bend’s Farmers Markets

There’s a buzz at the South Bend Farmers Market, especially on Saturdays in the summer. You can feel it as locals chat with vendors they’ve known for years while the scent of fresh popcorn and flowers waft through the air. The market is open Tuesday, Thursdays and Saturdays year round. It is open Fridays starting the first week in May and ending in late September.

Visiting the market is a must for any foodie traveler spending time in The Bend.

The Farmers Market Café sits at the heart of the market. Most dishes are prepared using ingredients — fruits, vegetables, eggs, etc. — right from the nearby vendors. That freshness helped make the café one of 10 finalists during 2017’s Breakfast Wars competition.

Spring is in the air when the Mishawaka Market comes to life. Located at Ironworks Plaza in downtown Mishawaka, this open-air market takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Sunday beginning May 21 until Sept. 24.

You’ll find many vendors unique to the Mishawaka Market, plus fun activities for kids. Several parks and the Mishawaka Riverwalk, which runs on both sides of the St. Joseph River ear nearby. Visiting the market could be the start of a morning spent exploring some of The Bend’s best parks and trails.

Located near the Commerce Center building in downtown South Bend, River Valley Farmers Market features about 20 vendors and includes only fresh produce and other farm products. It’s open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

A seasonal market that runs from late May through October, Portage Farm Stands sets up from 10 a.m. to noon Saturdays in the Near Northwest Neighborhood of South Bend. You can find it in the parking lot across from The Local Cup, one of our favorite coffeeshops. Its vendors bring organically grown produce, meat, eggs, baked goods and more.