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The Local Food Lover's Guide

The locavore movement is more popular than ever, so we traveled across the state to track down the best in local farmers markets, bread, seafood and more.

Buying local is more popular than ever, thanks to the growing outreach of our state’s beloved farmers, purveyors and fishermen. Rhode Island is top notch when it comes to producing wholesome food, including fruits, vegetables, meats, cheeses, bread, seafood and even home-spun goods. The most recent Census of Agriculture ranks Rhode Island third in the nation when it comes to direct marketing sales on a per-farm basis, and the number of farms has increased by 42 percent since 2002. We traveled the area to find the best farmers markets, locally made products, bread bakeries, fish markets, livestock breeders and farm stands, where you can meet the people and families who put their heart and soul into what we eat.

Guide to Farmers Markets
No matter where you are in our little state, there’s a farmers market selling everything you need (and want).

By Brooke Constance White

Burrillville Farmers Market
Where: Historic Stillwater Mill, East Ave. and Main St., Harrisville
When: May through October. Sat. 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Although it may seem to be in the North Pole of Rhode Island, this farmers market promotes a sustainable lifestyle by being easily accessible by RIPTA bus and bicycle.


Goddard State Park Farmers Market
Where: Goddard State Park, 345 Ives Rd., Warwick
When: May through October. Fri. 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
Besides being in a beautiful park, customers can bike to this farmers market because it’s located right along the Warwick and East Greenwich greenway.


Hope Street Farmers Market
Where: Lippitt Park, 1059 Hope St., Providence
When: June through October. Sat. 9 a.m.–1 p.m., Wed. 3:30–6 p.m.
Ever hear of someone watching your bike and giving it a tune-up while you shop for fresh produce? Now you have. The Hope Street market has a bicycle valet program for bicyclists who want to shop without dragging their bike around.


Sakonnet
Growers Market
Where: Tiverton Four Corners, Rt. 77 and East Road, Tiverton
When: June through October. Sat. 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
This market offers two states’ worth of goods with vendors from Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Highlights include fresh shellfish and homemade goat’s milk soap.


Richmond Farmers Market
Where: Richmond Town Hall, Routes 138 and 112, Richmond
When: May through October. Sat. 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Interested in purchasing composting worms? The Worm Ladies of Charlestown attend this market and can handle all of your composting needs.


Coastal Growers Market
Where: Casey Farm, 2325 Boston Neck Rd., Saunderstown
When: May through October. Sat. 9 a.m.–noon.
With vendors coming all the way from Chepatchet, customers can cross everything off their shopping lists because this market has it all.
 

To read about locally made products, bread bakeries, fish markets, livestock breeders and farm stands please visit your nearest newsstand or click the link below.:

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