There is an ongoing movement to gather, invest, and thrive in the local community. Some would state that this movement is "going back to your roots," and that those roots are embedded through our local businesses, including farms. Spring and summer are the seasons that many venture outside of the grocery store shelves in search of locally grown and harvested produce and products. Bring your baskets, your reusable bags, and/or your cooler and join us as we explore a few of our local Farmer's Markets. There are many options, from weekend markets, to markets that open multiple days per week, and you will not be disappointed with any. 

The long running State Farmer's Market is located on Rutherford Road in Greenville and is open to the public Monday through Saturday 8-6pm. This market offers local produce, plants, homemade soaps/lotions and other local vendor's products. 

Downtown Greenville offers the bustling Saturday Market which attracts tourists and locals alike. Residents flock to this market to stock up on everything from produce, to local honey, to fresh made pasta. The Saturday Market is held on cordoned off blocks right on Main Street, in Downtown, each week from May until October. The market is open from 8 to noon. Visitors can also purchase breakfast, coffee, and snacks from local restaurant booths. This market also holds cooking demonstrations, has live music, and hosts other special events. Of course, the added bonus of hanging out Downtown after the market is a plus!

Further south in the county, there are smaller markets to explore. The Farmer's Market at Fountain Inn is held in the beautiful pavilion area, accessed directly from Main Street. The farmers that feature edible delights here are so local that you may find that a few are your neighbors. If you have not ventured to this smaller market, you will be pleasantly surprised. After shopping the market, you may enjoy browsing the shops and grabbing a bite at one of the local restaurants located on the quaint Main Street. This market is open each Saturday from 8 until noon.

Only a few miles away the Simpsonville Farmer's Market is also open for business each Saturday from 8 am until 12 noon. The market is held on the City Park grounds in the lawn area. The vendor list has grown to 36 this year, making the 2018 market lineup the largest yet. There are vendors selling handmade items such as healthy dog treats, popcorn for the humans, and of course, tons of fresh produce. Speaking of treats, this is a dog-friendly market, so bring your furry friends along to enjoy the sights and smells. 

Just South of Greenville is the Mauldin Farmer's Market. This Market is sponsored by Bon Secours St. Francis Healthy System and unlike the other markets, this one will be open every Tuesday night from 5-8 pm. One thing to note is that it doesn't open until June 5th. The market is held at the Mauldin Cultural Center's outdoor amphitheater. Some of the items the vendors will be selling include produce, dairy, honey, gifts, clothing, accessories, treats, pastries, and more! There will also be live music, food trucks, beer and wine. Mauldin Farmer's Market also includes health screenings, cooking demos and small-group fitness.

To the east of Greenville, you have the Greer Farmer's Market. The market is held at Greer City Park and is open every Saturday from 8:30 until noon. The vendors sell a variety of different items such as pastured meats, eggs, jams, candles, jewelry, and much more for you to enjoy!

For those are closer to the northern portion of the county, the Travelers Rest Farmer's Market on the Swamp Rabbit Trail is heralded as "Greenville County's largest open air market," according to the website for Trailblazer Park where the market is held. With over 70 vendors, there are so many choices that a full grocery store trip could be substituted for a few hours here. Everything from homemade cleaning and beauty products are available on top of the fantastic produce. This market is open each Saturday between 8:30 am and 12 noon. Arrive early for the best selections! 

The outlets for shopping local abound in the Upstate of South Carolina. If you have not yet ventured out beyond the grocery store to purchase weekly fares, this may be just the right time to try one of the many markets and see how buying local not only grows our economy, but also offers the freshest items around. We will be browsing the bounty at one of the local markets this weekend and hope to see you there, too!

If you have any questions about Greenville, South Carolina or the surrounding areas, please give us a call at 864-438-5050 and we will be happy to help!  Visit www.GreenvilleRealEstateHub.com for information on local real estate.