Bloomington Community Farmers' Market

The Bloomington Community Farmers' Market takes place rain or shine every Saturday, April through October, at Showers Common next to City Hall, 401 N. Morton St. in Bloomington.

April-September: 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
October: 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

The Bloomington Community Farmers' Market, a vital part of the local food culture, celebrated its 50th season in 2024. The Market reflects Bloomington's diversity, promotes multicultural awareness, and improves local food security and sustainability by fostering a resilient food supply.

Market goers find a wide assortment of goods from the farm and field, including fruits and vegetables, eggs, meats and cheeses, honey, seasonal flowers, and annual and perennial plants. Food and beverage artisans provide a tasteful variety of drinks, pastries, and savory dishes.

The Bloomington Community Farmers' Market proudly supports nutrition assistance programs, including WIC (Women, Infants and Children), SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and Senior FMNP (Farmers' Market Nutiriton Program) that provide fresh, locally gorwn, unprocessed fruits, vegetables, and edible herbs to people whose incomes are below the federal poverty threshold.

Tuesday Market 

The Tuesday Farmers' Market takes place at Hopewell Commons every Tuesday, June 3 through Sept. 30, from 4-7 p.m. with FREE admission! Find Fresh, local products from the farm and garden plus ready-to-eat artisan foods, and so much more at the Tuesday Farmers' Market! Highlights include live entertainment on the first and third Tuesdays of the month, plus pop-up crafts, events, food-related demonstrations, and other unique surprises throughout the season.

Youth Day at the Bloomington Community Farmers' Market

Celebrate the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit of young community members at Youth Day at the Market! On this special day, youth ages 6-17 yrs. sell produce, art, and other Market-appropriate products alongside regular Market vendors in their very own booths.

Booth spaces are $15 for a 10' x 10' space with one, 6' table and two chairs. Reserve a booth space.

For more information about reserving a booth space to sell fruits, vegetables, or baked goods; or about individual youth or youth groups scheduling music or other performance at Youth Day, contact Clarence Boone via email or call 812-349-3738. 

For more information about reserving a youth artist stand, or for general event questions, contact Crystal Ritter via email or call 812-349-3725.

Bloomington Community Farmers' Market Evaluation Study

The Board of Park Commissioners at their January 2024 meeting approved a contract with Zec Eight Insights for $17,951 to conduct a comprehensive evaluation study of the Bloomington Community Farmers' Market. This evaluation consisted of a review of existing Market data, benchmarking, external stakeholder engagement, and overarching recommendations. During the summer 2024 Market season, Parks and Recreation staff and representatives of the Farmers’ Market Advisory Council worked with Austin Hochstetler of Zec Eight Insights to create questions and determine the desired outcomes of this report. Austin Hochstetler presented a report to the Board of Park Commissioners at their October 15, 2024 meeting that outlined the study's process, and recommendations.

Farmers' Market Rules of Behavior

• Signs and distribution of literature at Market by the public are permitted in the following free speech areas:
  • Areas beyond the Market boundaries
  • Path North of 8th Street on the B-Line Trail (beyond the picnic tables)
  • South of 7th Street on the B-Line Trail
  • The sidewalks on 7th St.
  • The sidewalks on Morton St.
  • North of the Market on the small brick plaza near the north entrance to City Hall
     
• Areas within the Market
  • On Plaza oneA (defined by the arc of light colored pavers) on the B-Line Trail, unless previously reserved
  • On Info Alley, along 8th St. on the west side of the Market
     
• Signs and distribution of literature at Market by the public are not permitted in the following “Market activity areas,” which are limited to Market activities:
  • The blacktop area of Showers Common (where farm vendors are set up)
  • The B-Line Trail within the boundaries of the Market (other than Plaza oneA)
  • The brick plaza and grass terrace in front of City Hall
     
• Signs and distribution of literature at Market by vendors are permitted consistent with the Vendor Contract
   
• Customer and Vendor Interactions:
  • Interruption of commerce is not permitted
  • The following conduct is prohibited in the Market activity areas: picketing, demonstrating, yelling, excessive or unreasonable noise-making, obstructing or hindering the flow of pedestrians or access to a vendor, and other conduct disrupting Market activities. Market staff will ask any persons violating these prohibitions to relocate to a free speech area. If this is not successful market staff will contact the Bloomington Police Department (BPD). BPD will reiterate the request to move, and if this is not successful, the individual may be subject to arrest.
  • Behavior in the market is also subject to City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department Administration Policy 2050, entitled “Removal and Suspension from use of property owned, managed or operated by the City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department.”
     
• Information Alley
  • Anyone wishing to utilize space in Information Alley must fill out a registration form, and if utilizing the fee area, pay the appropriate fees. There are a limited number of free Information Alley spaces.
  • Anyone asked to move to Information Alley will not be charged for that day. If the same party must again be asked to move on a subsequent market day, such party will be charged a fee.
     
• Video Recording/Photography/Amplification of Sound
  • Video recording/photography is permitted anywhere in the Market or the public spaces
  • Amplification of sound is not permitted except for performances/events scheduled by Market staff 

• Bloomington Human Rights Commission
  • Reports of harassment should be directed to the City of Bloomington Human Rights Department

• Additional Rules
  • No selling of anything in the Market except by contract with the City
  • No distribution of items intended for human consumption, unless by special advance permission from the City
  • Pets are not permitted in Showers Common, the B-Line Café and the fee area of Info Alley
  • Smoking and vaping are not permitted in Showers Common, the B-Line Café and the fee area of Info Alley