While Vermont might be most famous for skiing and Ben and Jerry’s world-famous ice cream, there is so much more to do. Winter is not the only worthwhile time to visit. You can enjoy a plethora of outdoor summer activities, historical sites, and cultural events.
Dairy products are certainly a Vermont specialty, but there is so much more: fresh produce, local handcrafts, artisan bread, craft beers, just to name a few. To really experience local Vermont culture, visiting an authentic farmers’ market is a must! This is a family-friendly activity that everyone can enjoy.
Within driving distance from Killington, there are four markets to choose from. Each has its own vendors and products to sell, so if you’ve seen one, you certainly haven’t seen them all!
Vermont Farmers’ Market
With over 60 vendors hailing from Vermont and Washington County, NY, the Vermont Farmers’ Market is one of the largest and most diverse farmers’ markets in the state. It is also the first to operate 52 weeks out of the year.
Weekly on Saturdays and Wednesdays, shoppers can visit the summer market at Depot Park in Downtown Rutland. The Saturday market runs from May 8th to October 30th, and it takes place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Wednesday market is held from May 19th to October 27th, and you can visit between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. During the summer months, you’ll find farm fresh veggie and fruits, artisan cheeses, handcrafted bread, maple syrup, Vermont crafts, jars of every time, and more.
If you’re on a ski vacation to Vermont, you can still make the most of the winter market, held every Saturday between November and May, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The winter market is held at 251 West St. in Rutland. There you’ll find a seasonal variety of produce, including local grass-fed meat, eggs, artisan cheeses, freshly baked bread, jellies & jams, maple products, honey, CBD products, delicious hot foods, wine & spirits, and artisan crafts. Live music makes the event even more memorable! During the holiday season, there are special holiday craft shows on the first Saturday in November and the first Saturday in December, which take place at the Holiday Inn.
Perusing local farmers markets, you’re always in for a surprise! Here you’ll get a true sense of local Vermont culture and agricultural products. Besides supporting small-scale business, the products are also of the highest quality. If you’re looking for something specific, you can explore the full list of vendors beforehand on the Vermont Farmers’ Market website.
Burlington Farmers’ Market
Another great stop along the Vermont farmers market circuit is the Burlington Farmers’ Market. Since 1980, the market has been held every Saturday from late spring through autumn in downtown Burlington at 345 Pine Street. This year, the market runs from May 8 to October 30 and is held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday.
What can you find at the Burlington market? The best question is what can’t you find? There are classic fruit and vegetable vendors, like Half Pint Farm, which sell diversified vegetables and fruits like heirloom and cherry tomatoes, ground cherries, wonder berries, sweet potatoes, melons, and more.
Then you have sweets and baked goods that come from vendors like Barrio Bakery. They sell fruit tarts, savory tarts, cookies, croissants, biscuits, French bread, loaf bread, and pretty much every kind of bread you can think of!
Some unique food items come from Benito’s Hot Sauce. These hot sauces are one-of-a-kind original to Vermont! Where else would you find chili pepper-infused organic Vermont maple syrup? Flavors include chipotle, chipotle bourbon, habanero, ghost, and Carolina Reaper.
Of course, you’ll find much more than just food at the Burlington Farmers’ Market. Vendors like Claude Lehman Pottery sell handcrafted artisan products for use in the kitchen and around the home. You might just find the perfect souvenir to take home!
Rest assured, all vendors sell the highest quality products. In order to participate in the market, there is a rigorous quality assurance product, and only vendors who meet strict requirements are able to participate.
Woodstock Farmers’ Market
Since 1992, the Woodstock Farmers’ Market has been centered on building relationships. The “Farmers family” is made up of long-time customers, employees, farmers, and producers, many of whom have frequented the market for decades. Those involved in running the market care deeply about the people they serve, and they also care about the process, from cost to quality of ingredients to customer service.
The Woodstock Farmers’ Market is located at 979 W Woodstock Road. To get there, follow US Route 4 in South Central Vermont. The market is just one mile west of the Village of Woodstock and a 30-minute drive from Killington. This market is open far more regularly than most farmers’ markets, so you don’t have to plan your trip around the weekend. They are open Tuesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (closed only on Mondays).
Items for sale include grab-and-go sandwiches, soups, fresh salads, and a selection of entrees. There are freshly baked goods prepared daily in the Farmers’ bakehouse. Specialty Vermont cheeses, charcuterie, and provisions are available for sale, as well as a large selection of olives and cured meats. Other items include coffee and espresso, local meats and poultry, fresh seafood, fresh Vermont produce, wine, beer, cider, and cut flowers.
For any questions or concerns, staff can be contacted at 802-457-3658 or mail@woodstockfarmersmarket.com. Let them know you’re interested in coming, and they’ll be glad to help!
The Killington Farmers’ Market
Located in Killington itself, this local farmers’ market runs every Friday from spring through September 25, when Killington’s weather is best. Attendees are welcome between 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. The market’s new location is at Killington Sports on Route 4, which runs past Gifford Woods State Park. While this outdoor market may not be as large as others in Vermont, it is still worth a visit as it features the best local Killington products. While on vacation, this is a wonderful place to pick up everything you need to make freshly cooked meals from your vacation rental! It is conveniently located so you won’t have to travel far.
Most vendors accept credit cards, although some can only take cash. An ATM is nearby, so you can still purchase what you need if you do forget to bring cash. You are encouraged to bring a reusable grocery bag!
Even if you don’t buy a thing, just the experience of visiting an authentic Vermont farmers market is a worthwhile experience! But it’s unlikely you can walk away from all the fresh food and beautiful crafts you encounter. The offers are always too tempting!
In particular, farmers’ markets are a great place to stock up on groceries for your vacation. There you’ll find all the ingredients you need to make tasty home-cooked meals. This is a perfect option for families trying to save money by not eating out all the time. It can also be a good time to be with your four-legged friends in your pet friendly Killington rental!
Plan Your Mountain Getaway
Going on vacation can often mean eating out, and sampling local food. But, sometimes you just want to cook your own meal, and using fresh local ingredients can be fun! Check out our Killington vacation rentals and book your stay today.
Fortunately, our Killington vacation homes come with fully equipped kitchens. You’ll have all the tools needed to chop, slice, fry, bake, or boil the perfect meal. With farm-fresh Vermont ingredients, your meals will never have tasted so good!Explore our full range of Killington rentals to find the right lodging for your trip. Whether it is a Killington condo rental or a full-sized townhome, we have the right place for you.
