St. Paul Farmers Market and Food Halls Guide

The St. Paul farmers market is the anchor of the city's food scene, and it has been for generations. It sits in Lowertown, a district of brick warehouses near the river, and draws growers from across Minnesota and western Wisconsin to sell directly to the public. Listings give 290 5th Street East for the outdoor market.

What is the St. Paul farmers market?

The St. Paul farmers market is a weekend market held in Lowertown. Listings give the outdoor address as 290 5th Street East and the indoor market as 308 Prince Street East. Most listings show an outdoor market in the warm months and an indoor market in winter, and sources disagree on the exact times, so check before you travel.

The market sells vegetables, fruit, flowers, plants, honey, eggs, meat, cheese, baked goods and prepared food. Many sellers are small family farms.

How does the Lowertown farmers market work in winter?

The Lowertown farmers market continues in the colder months with reduced hours and an indoor space. One listing describes reduced winter hours through April, and another describes year-round winter hours. Because the sources differ, treat the schedule as something to confirm.

Winter stock changes. Expect root vegetables, storage apples, greens from hoop houses, preserves, meat and baked goods, with fewer flowers and less fruit.

What should you buy and eat there?

Eat first. The market has food vendors, so a breakfast sandwich or a pastry is easy to find. Then shop. In summer buy berries, tomatoes, sweet corn and herbs. In fall buy apples, squash and potatoes. In winter buy cheese, bread, honey and meat.

Ask the grower how to cook something unfamiliar. Many will give you a recipe, and some will tell you which day of the week their produce was picked, which helps you judge how long it will keep. Take a cooler bag if you are buying meat or cheese, and leave it in the shade of the car rather than the trunk on a warm day. Bring a bag, and carry bills and a card. See the Seattle markets guide for a comparison with another city's neighborhood markets.

What happened to the Keg and Case Market?

Keg and Case Market history is a short one. The market opened in a restored building on the former Schmidt Brewery grounds at 928 West 7th Street, with about two dozen independent vendors, and USA Today reportedly named it the best new food hall in early 2019. Visit Saint Paul said all of its businesses were independent and locally owned.

Later reports describe trouble. A Star Tribune report said the developer's loans had defaulted and the bank had taken the property. Clutch Brewing, one of the original tenants, announced it would close, and the developer later filed for bankruptcy. A bar owner was reported to be in talks to buy the building. A mapping listing shows the market as permanently closed. Do not plan a visit; look for current news on the building.

Is there a Twin Cities food hall to visit instead?

A Twin Cities food hall is a moving target, since halls open and close often. Rather than name a place that may have changed, use a short method. Search for a recent article from a local paper, check the venue's own page for a list of current vendors and read the most recent reviews.

If you want a similar experience, the farmers market itself is the best one: dozens of vendors, food to eat on the spot and a mix of crowds. The Atlanta food halls guide shows how food halls are organized in a city where they are thriving.

How do you plan a St. Paul winter market visit?

A St. Paul winter market visit is a quieter, warmer version. Dress in layers, and wear boots for ice. Arrive early for the best selection of bread and cheese. Take a thermos for a hot drink between stalls.

Combine it with a walk through Lowertown, a museum or a lunch. The district has restored warehouses, a square with a fountain and views of the river bluffs, and an hour of strolling makes the market feel like part of a day rather than a chore. Bring a scarf, because the wind off the river is sharp in January. Parking is easier in winter than in summer. The US guides hub lists more pages about regional markets.

What are the small tips?

Visit on a weekend morning for the fullest market. Carry cash for small vendors. Ask about samples. Buy only what you will use in a few days, and plan a meal around it that evening.

Check the market's own page for changes in the schedule, especially around holidays. Weather can change opening hours. The guide to finding good food in a new city has advice on using markets as a way into a place.

How can Mosey help at a St. Paul market?

If a group is deciding where to shop and eat, each person can add a stall to a shared Mosey list and the group can compare ratings by the dish before anyone leaves the house.

After your visit, get the Mosey app, rate the vendors and dishes you enjoyed and build a list of the market tables you would recommend to a friend.