The best Sacramento farmers markets for fresh, local and organic foods

Known colloquially as the Sunday Market or Market Under the Freeway, this teeming, year-round gathering—held on Sunday mornings from 8am to noon—features over 100 vendors set under a stretch of Highway 50. Don’t come looking for kettle corn here. It’s all about fresh produce, meats, dairy products, and greenery. Get there early, and you’ll rub shoulders with prominent local chefs loading up their carts with seasonal ingredients. Look up, and you’ll spy an example of Sac’s thriving street art scene with “Bright Underbelly,” a 70,000-square foot mural by local artists Sofia Lacin and Hennessy Christophel.

Stretching one whole block on the Capitol Mall between 5th and 6th Streets, this summertime gathering wins the award for best setting. Every Thursday (10am–1:30pm) from May through September, the market fills with hungry downtown workers nabbing crispy chicken sandwiches from Nash & Proper, braised beef tacos from Masa Guiseria, and Connecticut rolls from Cousins Maine Lobster. Ingenious shoppers nab a sourdough batard from Grateful Bread, and pair it with lemon-drizzled avocado from one of the fresh produce vendors. 

A central locale and year-round schedule make this dog-friendly market a popular way to spend Saturday mornings (8am–1pm). Against a backdrop of live music, you’ll shop nearly 100 food vendors and artisans including creative refreshers at Wheel Lemonade, Belgian waffles from VolksWaffle, and Cookie Bomb’s impossibly cute macarons (thankfully, small seating areas are scattered throughout the market). There’s also chef demos, a play area for kids, and a bike valet to stash your wheels. Plus, the adjacent MARRS building features more shops and eateries with outdoor decks overlooking the market.

Regulars appreciate the small neighborhood feel of this laid-back market in Sacramento’s Oak Park neighborhood (May–October, 9am–1pm). You’ll find the usual assortment of fresh produce and flower vendors in addition to prepared foods such as tamales from Yolanda’s. There’s live music and kids activities every week, and you can attend cooking demos and classes like urban beekeeping and keeping chickens, presented by community members via the market’s Skill Swap. On your way to the market, grab a latte from Old Soul Coffeehouse located two blocks away.

Downtown lunch options increase exponentially during the summer thanks to this seasonal market held on Wednesdays from 10am–1:30pm. A fleet of food trucks roll in offering options such as bacon and ranch-laden chicken tacos from Drewski's Twisted Taco, brisket sandwiches from Post Oak Barbecue, and lamb and rice plates from the popular Gyro to Go. And don’t pass up a rosemary tangerine popsicle from market staple Wolfpops. There’s plenty of farm stands, too, so you can check off your grocery list before heading back to work. Plus, you can join a chef-led tour of the market with Grange Restaurant & Bar which culminates in a three-course lunch in their dining room across the street.

Situated within North Natomas Regional Park, this low-key, neighborhood market offers a relaxed option to load up on groceries for the week. Despite the cozy footprint, you’ll find a variety of fresh produce, flowers, and dairy products including fresh eggs from The Natomas Farm, breads from Upper Crust Bakery, and a rainbow assortment of herbs and veggies from The ReFarmery. The market is open June through September each Saturday from 8am to noon. 

Since 1976, this Saturday morning market (8am–1pm) has gathered the Davis community in the city’s Central Park. Under a sheltered pavillion, browse dozens of apple and pear varietals from Patrick’s Garden in nearby Apple Hill, and juicy pomegranates and pomegranate syrup from Good Humus, owned by UC Davis grads Jeff and Annie Main who helped found the Davis market. On warm days, slurp a handmade mango sticky rice popsicle from Fat Face. There’s also a Wednesday afternoon market whose hours shift depending upon the season, with summer being the most popular thanks to a buzzing beer and wine garden.