The Bozeman Winter Farmers’ Market (BWFM) is gearing up for its’ ninth season. The market has grown from just a few markets during the winter months to 15 markets over the course of three seasons. Saturday, September 24th marks the beginning of the winter market season with a special harvest festival from 9 AM to 12 PM at The Emerson Center in downtown Bozeman. The event is fortunate enough to feature some live “beets". The Dirt Farmers, a foot-stomping strong band, who call their musical style “paisley grass” will play a mix of old school country, bluegrass blues and rock. The event signifies the best time of the season where summers’ bounty is still available along with all of the fall gems.

Local vegetables do exist during winter in Montana! Even though Bozeman has a shorter growing season, shoppers can buy fresh, local vegetables all winter long. Winter markets are notorious for offering a few root vegetables and mostly crafts. The Winter Farmers’ Market is truly driven by farms. At each market, Gallatin Valley Botanical, Amaltheia Organic Dairy, Strike Farms and Three Hearts Farm will offer a variety of vegetables and greens at each market including spinach, arugula, mizuna, cabbage, carrots, parsnips, beets, potatoes, winter squash, onions, shallots, garlic, cabbage, turnips, leeks, and more. That’s quite a spread!

 
The winter farmers’ market showcases an additional 25 food and farm product vendors that allow you to cross off everything on your grocery list. Shoppers will find eggs, cheeses, beef, pork, lamb, honey, bread, MT grown grains, fermented vegetables, jams & syrups, soaps & salves, locally made dog treats, wool, coffee, locally grown and blended teas, hot breakfast, and much more all under one roof in the Emerson Ballroom.

 
The market dates for 2016-2017 are: September 24, October 8 & 22, November 5 & 19, December 17, January 7 & 21, February 4 & 18, March 4 & 18, and April 1, 15 & 29.
 
In addition to food and live music, each market will feature coloring for the kids and drawings for BWFM tote bags filled with products from featured vendors. The market will continue the Farmers’ Market Fan Cards program. As shoppers leave the market with purchases, volunteers will stamp their Fan Cards. Cards that are filled with twelve (12) stamps by noon on April 30th (the end of the fifteenth market) will be entered into a drawing for prizes from market sponsors, farms and vendors.

 
The BWFM is sponsored by Downtown Bozeman, Community Food Co-op, Gallatin Valley Botanical, Montana Parent, Rocky Mountain Gardening Magazine, Broken Ground and Bozeman Magazine. Join us for another season of fine local foods!  Who’s your farmer?
 
For more information, visit www.bozemanwintermarket.com or contact Stephanie Archer, Market Manager, at wintermarketbozeman@gmail.com.