Now concluding its 22nd season, the Edmond Farmer's Market continues to serve as a vital hub for locally grown produce and handmade goods. Since 2005, it has been held at the Festival Market Place at 26 W. 1st Street, drawing crowds every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. with its vibrant selection of fresh food and artisan products. Emily Harmon, Marketing and Special Events Coordinator for the City of Edmond Parks & Recreation Department and the Farmer's Market Manager, emphasizes the efficiency and variety of the market. "In 30 minutes or less, you can get everything you need to make dinners for the week, and pre-make lunches and after school snacks," Harmon told the City of Edmond.
While the market sees a consistent flow of customers through late summer and early fall, its produce offerings shift with the changing seasons. Shoppers can soon look forward to a fall harvest of sweet corn, adding to the current selection of squash, potatoes, and a variety of other fruits and vegetables. Harmon reflected on the market's resilience amid early challenges, noting: "The abundance of rain at the beginning of peak growing season did cause some crop failure, but our farmers have bounced back," in a statement obtained by the City of Edmond. Registered with the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, the market remains firmly committed to supporting local agriculture and homegrown products.
Along with a wide selection of produce, the Edmond Farmer's Market offers meats including beef, Mangalitsa pork, chicken, goat, and lamb. Local nurseries provide fall plants, shrubs, and trees appropriate for the season. The market has also expanded to include additional vendors selling fresh flowers, healthy snacks, and handmade goods.
To enhance the shopping experience, the market space now includes a family area with games, picnic tables, and food and beverage trucks. Despite summer heat or occasional rain, a sound system provides music and announcements throughout the day. The upcoming Indoor Winter Market at the Edmond Senior Center in Mitch Park, set to launch in November, will feature around 40 vendors in a climate-controlled environment.
Since its incorporation into the City’s Parks & Recreation department in 2004 and its opening at the Festival Market Place in 2005, the market has experienced steady growth in both size and vendor sales. Plans for further expansion include analyzing customer preferences and market trends. Harmon stated to the City of Edmond, "I am currently looking at trends like what products sell out consistently, what products are the most popular, and what products are missing from the current vendor lineup," outlining the approach to adjust the market’s offerings moving forward.
