What are you hours? When is the market open?

We are open from 9:00 am until 2:00 pm every Saturday. In 2024, the market will open on May 18th. The last market of the season will be October 26th.

Where are you located? 175 Black River Parkway

Are you affiliated with the Watertown Farm and Craft Market on Wednesdays?

No, the two markets are not affiliated. The Watertown Saturday Farmers Market is an independent farmers cooperative operated entirely by its membership. The Watertown Farm and Craft Market on Wednesdays is operated by the Watertown Chamber of Commerce and is located in front of the library on Washington Street. Several of our vendors sell at both markets. Our farmers support having two markets in Watertown as it gives local produce farms two opportunities during the week to sell those items that may not hold in the field or in refrigeration, ensuring peak freshness for our customers.

Is the market handicapped accessible?

Yes, the market is fully handicapped accessible as are the restrooms. Handicapped parking is available.

Why don’t you allow products from outside the four-county area?

We believe that seasonal and local eating is healthier, better for the planet, and provides a better value for our customers. It also ensures that money spent on food at the market stays within our community, helping to support local family farms and food producers rather than distant corporations. Buying locally grown foods helps to preserve family farms for future generations.

Should I bring my own bags?

Our market is committed to reducing plastic waste. We ask that you help by bringing bags with you when you shop. In hot weather, insulated bags can help to keep meats and fresh produce cold until you get home; a small cooler is even better! If you forget, most of our vendors have bags at their stand and will be happy to give you one with your purchase.

What payment methods are accepted?

Individual vendors at our market determine their payment policies. Our fresh produce farmers typically accept Farmers Market Nutrition Program coupons — a program that requires farmers to grow more than 50% of what they sell. All food vendors accept WIC coupons. Several vendors accept credit cards, SNAP-EBT cards, and other electronic payments such as Venmo.

Why don’t you participate in the SNAP Double-Up Bucks Program?

As a cooperative, our market does not have a paid market manager to run a SNAP token and coupon program. These programs require detailed recordkeeping to meet New York State requirements. Vendors may, however, accept Fresh-Connect and Double-Up-Bucks coupons distributed to customers by other farmers markets. Our market does not accept wooden tokens from other markets.

Are crafts sold at the market?

We pride ourselves on selling locally produced foods and farm products. Consequently, we do not allow vendors selling only arts and crafts to participate in our market, particularly given our limited space. Crafts sold at the market must be incidental to a farm stand or food business.

Who owns the pavilion?

The City of Watertown owns and operates the Butler Pavilion. The market rents the facility from the Department of Parks and Recreation. Our vendor fees are used to pay for this rental. The pavilion is available for rental from the City for private events when the market is not open.

Are there bathrooms at the market?

There are handicapped accessible men’s and women’s rooms adjacent to the market pavilion. These are maintained by the City of Watertown’s Department of Parks and Recreation.

Why don’t you have tomatoes or sweet corn in May? Why is there no spinach in August?

Everything at the market is grown locally. Warm-season crops cannot be planted until after frost — which is about May 20th in the North Country — and then they need time to grow. Therefore, our farmers do not sell warm season crops until they have matured later in the summer. On the other hand, spinach does not like hot weather and grows poorly in the middle of the summer. Without a greenhouse or other method of season extension, any tomatoes, corn, or melons you see in the early Spring at other markets were likely shipped in from other areas rather than being grown locally. Increasingly, our farmers are investing in high-tunnels and greenhouses, which allows the growing season to be extended — and the variety of produce available at the market to increase.

How do I sell at the market?

If you are located in the four-county region and grow or produce local foods, we’d love to have you participate. Simply contact us for more detailed information on how to join our cooperative and a copy of the market rules. We try to make participation as easy and inexpensive as possible; however, we do ask that all producers adhere strictly to New York State regulations. Due to the popularity of the market in recent years, space is limited. Consequently, we may have to put new vendors on a waiting list to participate, particularly if you sell foods in a category already well-represented at the market. We do allow seasonal vendors to attend the market for as little as a single Saturday, provided there is space. We would especially love to add new vendors specializing in fruit, value-added foods (e.g. pickles, wine), dairy products, fish, and ready-to-eat foods.

Can my nonprofit have a table at your market?

Yes! As a community service, we happily allow nonprofit organizations to table at our market for free once per year, or more frequently if space allows. Simply contact us if you would like to participate. Please note that we cannot host political organizations or individual candidates.

How can I reach one of your vendors?

Check their Facebook or webpage for direct contact information.