The St. Michaels Farmers Market Returns for its 29th Season on April 11

There are few better ways to start the spring season than by grabbing a tote bag and heading down to the St. Michaels Farmers Market (SMFM) in St. Michaels. For nearly three decades, the small-but-mighty market has served as a beloved community gathering that brings the freshest fruits, vegetables, eggs, meats, seafood, flowers, baked goods—even booze—to the Talbot County community, and beyond. And starting on April 11, it will return to showcase the region’s bounty for its 29th season. Located in the public parking lot behind Pemberton’s Pharmacy at 206 S. Talbot Street, it will operate rain or shine on Saturday mornings between 8:30 and 11:30am through November 21.
Launched in 1998, the SMFM was the second FreshFarm farmers market, open just one year after the revered organization launched its now-iconic Dupont Circle location in Washington, D.C. On a hot Fourth of July weekend in a small parking lot behind what is now The Galley, four farmers set up their booths for the first time. Within two years, the market expanded into Muskrat Park, where it remained until moving to its current, more accessible location in 2015. Today, the SMFM operates as its own independent non-profit, welcoming more than 20 vendors and over 400 customers each Saturday, becoming a vital asset to Maryland’s Mid-Shore.
As the only producer-only farmers market in Talbot County, every item sold at the SMFM is certified to be grown or made within 100 miles of St. Michaels. Customers can feel confident that the tomatoes in their baskets, flowers in their bouquets, and eggs in their cartons all come from the Delmarva Peninsula, with annual site visits conducted to verify the products of each vendor. In turn, every dollar spent goes back into the local economy, supporting small farmers and small food businesses, fostering a resilient food system within our community.
The SMFM also prides itself on supporting fresh-food access for all. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides important financial benefits to help low-income individuals and families purchase eligible foods at approved markets and retail stores. As the only SNAP-friendly farmers market in Talbot County, the SMFM even offers matching dollars for participating customers, thus doubling their ability to buy healthy local groceries. And through its weekly Gleaning Program, SMFM vendors donate items to the St. Michaels Community Center and Royal Oak Community Food Pantry.
On Opening Day, find familiar faces under a stream of multi-colored tents, toting an abundance of the Eastern Shore’s bounty. Think fresh greens from Williwaw Farm. Beautiful root vegetables from Cottingham Farm. Homemade biscuits from Tilghman Island Baking Company. Chesapeake Bay rockfish from Richland Seafood. And so much more from the SMFM’s curated lineup of hyper-local vendors.
Local residents looking to get involved can sign up as a volunteer, with flexible shifts and varied responsibilities available. The market is also on the lookout for local musicians for its weekly live music tent, as well as local partners to take part in its community-education tent. In the meantime, donations are welcome via either their Friends of the Market or Corporate Sponsorship membership programs.
To keep up with the St. Michaels Farmers Market, follow them on Facebook and Instagram via @loveyourfarmer, check out their website at stmichaelsfarmersmarket.org, and sign up for their monthly newsletter for exclusive content.