BOISE, Ida. — The Boise Farmers Market is set to open once again this weekend, and this year, it's welcoming visitors to a new location!
The Market spent the last six years at a space at 10th and Grove. Now it's moving to 1500 Shoreline Drive. The move allows for more parking and more vendors at the market. The new location is still downtown, adjacent to the greenbelt, and features a large bike corral for cyclists. The "Market Bee" will shuttle shoppers from the BFM location to the corner of 8th and Main and back all day from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The Bee will stop for ten minutes in each location.
BFM's opening day is set for Saturday, April 6, at 9 a.m. A grand opening ceremony will take place ten minutes before, featuring Boise Mayor Dave Bieter and the Boise Chamber of Commerce for a ribbon cutting and the ringing of the market bell. Pastry and coffee samples from Gaston's & Acme Bakeshop and Form & Function will be available.
Opening day features more than 60 local farmers, ranchers and vendors. You'll find carrots, arugula, fresh herbs, lettuces, radishes, spinach and kale. There are also hot house tomatoes and cucumbers, garden plants and seeds up for sale. Visitors can purchase proteins, including cuts of beef, bison, chicken, fish, goat, lamb and pork. Duck and chicken eggs will also be available. Dairy products like milk, yogurt, and artisan cheeses will be for sale. You'll also find jam, pastries, breads, hummus and other locally prepared edibles.
April is Get Garden Ready Month and BFM is offering you a chance to ask questions and find out what grows best in our area. University of Idaho Master Gardeners will be on hand April 6, 13, and 27. You can set up a 15-minute appointment here or take your chances with a walk-up appointment. University of Idaho Master Gardener Dave Hopkins will also present a No Till Gardening Class on April 20. Seats for 20 are available with space for more.
This summer, BFM will welcome back the Sprouts Kids Club. Registration is open throughout April and Sprouts will kick off the fun during the first weekend in May with a Chop! Cooking Class. Sprouts is for kids ages 5 to 12 years old. Each week, there is a local food and health-related activity. Sprouts participants will also receive two $1 tokens to spend on fruits, vegetables or food-bearing plants at the market.
BFM accepts SNAP/EBT and has a Double Up Bucks match from the city of Boise that allows SNAP/EBT users to double their purchasing dollars up to $20 each week. The market encourages SNAP/EBT recipients to come to BFM and enjoy the benefits of healthy local food.
The Boise Farmers Market is open each Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., April through October. It's located in the parking lot between Americana Boulevard, River Street and Shoreline Drive. You can find more information online here or on social media: Facebook and Instagram.
