In Minnesota, St Paul Farmers Market offers fresh Midwest produce throughout the year. Vibrant fruits and crisp vegetables fill colorful stalls, catching every eye.
Local vendors share their passion and knowledge, adding life to the market. Seasonal flavors mix with unique finds, creating plenty of surprises around every corner.
The market buzzes with energy, flavor, and a true sense of community.
1. Honeycrisp Apples
Born right at the University of Minnesota, these crisp beauties are the pride of local orchards. The perfect balance of sweet and tart makes them irresistible to Minnesota apple lovers.
Farmers from across the state bring their premium harvests to St. Paul each fall. The distinctive crunch and juicy flesh make these apples worth every penny.
2. Sweet Corn
Nothing says summer in the Midwest like fresh-picked sweet corn. The kernels burst with natural sweetness that needs absolutely no butter – though most Minnesotans add it anyway!
Local farmers harvest it at dawn to preserve that perfect flavor. Sweet corn season is brief but glorious across Minnesota, making it a must-grab when you spot it.
3. Juneberries
Also called serviceberries, these native treasures resemble blueberries but offer a unique almond-cherry flavor. Foragers throughout Minnesota prize these small purple fruits for their versatility in jams and baking.
Few commercial growers cultivate them, making the farmers market your best bet. Their short season makes them a special treat worth seeking out in early summer.
4. Heirloom Tomatoes
Forget those bland supermarket tomatoes! Minnesota farmers grow spectacular heirlooms in rainbow colors – purple, yellow, striped, and more. Each variety offers distinct flavors from sweet to tangy.
Many local growers specialize in rare varieties you won’t find elsewhere. The short growing season in Minnesota makes these treasures even more precious when they finally arrive at market.
5. Rhubarb
This spring staple thrives in Minnesota’s climate, producing ruby-red stalks perfect for pies and preserves. The tart flavor makes it a beloved ingredient among locals who eagerly await its early appearance.
Many Minnesota families have backyard patches passed down through generations. Market vendors often share their favorite recipes while you browse their freshly harvested stalks.
6. Wild Blueberries
Smaller than cultivated varieties, these intensely flavored berries are foraged from northern Minnesota forests. Their concentrated sweetness makes them perfect for baking or eating by the handful.
Some dedicated vendors make the journey from the northern part of the state to bring these treasures. The wild growing conditions in Minnesota’s forests give these berries their exceptional flavor that no farm-raised variety can match.
7. Gooseberries
These translucent green berries with distinctive stripes offer a perfect sweet-tart balance. Minnesota’s climate produces exceptional gooseberries that shine in pies and preserves or muddled into summer cocktails.
Local farmers have revived interest in this old-fashioned fruit. The cool nights and warm days in Minnesota create ideal growing conditions for these underappreciated berries.
8. Sugar Snap Peas
Early summer brings these crunchy delights to market stands across St. Paul. The entire pod is edible and bursts with sweetness that makes them perfect for snacking right from the bag.
Minnesota’s cool spring temperatures produce exceptionally sweet varieties. Farmers often encourage customers to sample them on the spot – once you try them fresh-picked, you’ll be hooked!
9. Ground Cherries
Wrapped in papery husks like tiny lanterns, these sweet treasures taste like pineapple with hints of vanilla. Minnesota farmers have preserved this heritage crop that many markets don’t carry.
The husks turn brown when ripe, signaling the golden fruit inside is ready. Their unique flavor makes them a conversation starter among Minnesota market-goers who appreciate unusual local produce.
10. Kohlrabi
This alien-looking vegetable thrives in Minnesota’s climate and delivers a crisp, sweet flavor similar to broccoli stems. The purple and green varieties offer slightly different tastes that shine when sliced raw.
Many Minnesota farmers grow this German favorite due to the state’s strong European heritage. Market vendors often offer samples to curious shoppers who haven’t encountered this versatile vegetable before.
11. Morel Mushrooms
Spring brings these prized wild mushrooms to select market stands. Foragers scour Minnesota woodlands for these honeycomb-textured delicacies that fetch premium prices for their rich, nutty flavor.
Their short season makes them especially coveted among local chefs. Minnesota’s forests provide ideal growing conditions, but knowledgeable foragers keep their hunting grounds strictly secret.
12. Currants
These jewel-like berries come in red, white, and black varieties, each offering distinct flavors from sweet to musky. Minnesota’s climate produces exceptionally flavorful currants that shine in jellies and baked goods.
Once banned in the U.S., they’re now making a comeback in Midwest gardens. Dedicated Minnesota growers have preserved these European favorites that deliver powerful antioxidant benefits alongside their unique taste.
13. Purple Asparagus
This vibrant variety offers sweeter flavor and tenderer texture than its green cousin. Minnesota’s rich soil produces exceptional asparagus that appears briefly each spring to much excitement.
The purple color comes from beneficial anthocyanins, the same compounds found in blueberries. Minnesota farmers harvest these spears at just the right moment for peak flavor and nutrition.
14. Pawpaws
These tropical-tasting native fruits are making a comeback at specialty market stands. With flavors resembling banana custard mixed with mango, they’re a surprising Midwest native that thrives in Minnesota’s river valleys.
Their extremely short shelf life means you’ll only find them at farmers markets. Dedicated Minnesota growers have worked to preserve this indigenous fruit that was nearly forgotten by modern consumers.
15. Garlic Scapes
These curly green shoots are harvested from hardneck garlic before the bulbs mature. Their mild garlic flavor makes them perfect for pestos and stir-fries that showcase Minnesota’s early summer harvests.
Farmers remove them to direct energy to the developing bulbs below. Many Minnesota growers offer these seasonal treasures that might otherwise go to waste, showing the market’s commitment to sustainable agriculture.