Farmers Markets: Fresh, Local, and In Season

It’s spring, which means flowers, green trees, pollen—and, coming soon, farmers markets. No matter where you live in the Upstate, finding a wide variety of locally grown food is just a short drive away. You’ll find fresh fruit and vegetables, eggs, meat, honey, and herbs, as well as prepared foods such as jams and jellies and seasoning mixes. Even non-food items made with local ingredients—soaps, candles, lotions—can be found at many markets.

With 452 Upstate vendors being Certified South Carolina grown, that means plenty of variety for your kitchen right here at home. And with many markets accepting SNAP/EBT, WIC and senior vouchers, buying local can be affordable for everyone.

In Spartanburg County, the Hub City Farmers Market has a new home at Northside Harvest Park as part of the ongoing Northside revitalization initiative. In Greenwood, construction is underway on a permanent home for the Uptown Market—it should be finished by the end of this year.

Abbeville Farmers Market (Abbeville County): Opening Thursday, June 4th

Hours of Operation: Thursday 3:00 –7:00 p.m., Friday 7:00 a.m.–noon

Market Location: Livery Stable on Trinity Street, Abbeville

Programs Accepted: Check with individual vendors

Anderson County Farmers Market (Anderson County): Open year-round on Saturdays (Facebook)

Hours of Operation: Starting in June, Tuesday 5:00 – 8:00 p.m., Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., plus holiday markets

Market Location: Murray Ave. & Tribble Street, Anderson

Programs Accepted: WIC, food stamps, and senior vouchers

Gaffney Station Farmers Market (Cherokee County): May 31 – November 1 (Facebook)

Hours of Operation: Tuesday, Thursday 3:00 – 6:00 p.m., Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Market Location: 500 North Granard Street, Gaffney

Programs Accepted: check with individual vendors

TD Saturday Market (Greenville County): Opens May 2 (Facebook)

Hours of Operation:  Saturdays, 8:30 am - 12:30 pm

Market Location: Downtown Greenville South Main @ McBee Ave. & Court St., Greenville, SC 29609

Programs Accepted:  SFMNP - Senior Checks

Greenwood Farmers Market (Greenwood County): Open mid-June through mid-October

Hours of Operation:  Wednesdays & Saturdays, 7 am - Noon

Market Location: Hwy 72/221 E, Greenwood

Programs Accepted:  EBT/SNAP, SFMNP - Senior Checks, WIC Vouchers

Uptown Market (Greenwood County): Open year-round; summer hours in effect now (Facebook)

Hours of Operation (summer hours): Monday 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., Wednesday 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Market Location: 301 Edgedfield Street, Greenwood

Programs Accepted: Check with individual vendors

Fountain Inn Farmers Market (Laurens/Greenville Counties): Kickoff Saturday May 30 (Facebook)

Hours of Operation:  Saturday 8:00 a.m. – noon, June through September

Market Location:  102 Depot Street, Fountain Inn

Programs Accepted: Check with individual vendors

Foothills Heritage Market (Oconee County): May 3rd – November 1 (Facebook)

Hours of Operation: Saturday 8:00 a.m. – noon

Market Location: 178 Hayfield Rd., Westminster, SC

Programs Accepted: Check with individual vendors

Clemson Farmers Market (Pickens County): May 15 – October 16 (Facebook)

Hours Of Operation:  Every Friday, 3:30-6:30 pm

Market Location: 578 Issaqueena Trail, Clemson

Programs Accepted: Check with individual vendors

Easley Farmers Market (Pickens County): Opens April 11 (Facebook)

Hours: Saturday 8:00 a.m.–noon (rain or shine)

Market Location: 205 North 1st St., Easley

Programs Accepted:  EBT/SNAP

Hub City Farmers Market (Spartanburg County): March 28 – December 19

Hours: Saturday 8:00 a.m. – noon, Wednesday lunch market 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (Wall Street downtown Spartanburg)

Market Location: Northside Harvest Park, 498 Howard Street, Spartanburg

Mobile Market: Check Facebook for times and locations

Programs Accepted: SNAP, Double SNAP, Healthy Bucks

Union County Farmers Market (Union County): May through November

Hours of Operation: 7:00 a.m. – noon, Monday through Saturday

Market Location: Main Street, Union

Programs Accepted: senior vouchers; check with individual vendors on WIC

Photos, from top: Foothills Heritage Market, Gaffney Station Farmers Market, TD Saturday Market, Easley Farmers Market

Sharon Purvis is a freelance writer and editor who makes her home with her husband in Duncan, South Carolina. You can find more of her work at SharonPurvisWrites.com.