May 4, 2018

Farmers market season is getting underway, and at least three will operate in Sioux Falls this year.

The biggest one, Falls Park Farmers Market, opens Saturday just north of Falls Park.

“Usually, the first week is always busy,” said Nicky VanDerWerff, the nonprofit organization’s treasurer. “People are always excited, especially after this winter, which seemed longer than most. People are excited to get out and start planting gardens.”

The market, which is entering its 106th year, is held every Saturday through October from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. While the vegetable selection is limited at this time of year, other vendors offer bedding plants, coffee beans, cheese, meats, eggs, baked goods, soap, jewelry and more.

Twenty-five of the 26 vendors from last year are returning, and there are two new ones, VanDerWerff said. Joining this year are Homegrown Honey and Dee’s Smoked Nuts.

“All are local within 100 miles of Sioux Falls, she said.

There’s live music and food to eat on-site. VanDerWerff and her husband, Kyle, run Skipping Stone Pizza, which serves wood-fired pizzas, including a breakfast version with egg, ham, bell pepper and onion. One of the meat vendors cooks up breakfast sandwiches and hamburgers, she said. There are cinnamon rolls, other baked goods, coffee and chai tea.

The market is selling reusable tote bags this year featuring artwork by vendor Miranda Koltze of Sweetgrass Soaps.

Callaway’s Farmers Market is back this year on the south side of Sioux Falls and had its first sale Wednesday.

It operates Wednesdays and Saturdays in the parking lot south of the restaurant at 500 E. 69th St. at Prairie Green Golf Course.

The four vendors this year are offering bedding plants, cut flowers, vegetables, meat, eggs, baked foods, jam, salsa and other home-canned foods, said Nancy Iott of Iott’s Greenhouse.

Iott’s doesn’t have any vegetables yet, she said. “We’re waiting for the asparagus to take off.”

Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Pettigrew Central Market kicks off May 12 in The Co-op Natural Foods parking lot at 18th Street and Minnesota Avenue.

So far, there’s only one vendor lined up: Mary’s Kitchen and Gardens.

The market will be open from 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays.