Summer on the Leelanau Peninsula is filled with delicious farm-fresh food. From May through October you’ll find farmers markets almost every day of the week plus quaint farm stands dotted all over the place. If you want some succulent sweet corn or tart and juicy cherries here is your ultimate guide to all of the best farmers markets along the Leelanau Peninsula.
Weekly Farmers Markets
Glen Arbor Farmers Market – Tuesday Mornings
While most people want to come to Glen Arbor on the weekend, one of the best days to visit is Tuesday. From June-September you’ll find the Farmers Market behind the Glen Arbor Township Hall open from 9 am-1 pm. Wake up at Glen Arbor Bed & Breakfast, enjoy your breakfast, and take a leisurely stroll through town to the Farmers Market. Pick up little treats from all over the peninsula to create a delicious picnic basket or a gourmet charcuterie board to enjoy in the evening. A couple of local favorites include Boss Mouse Cheese’s traditional cheeses and smoked butter, Bardenhagen’s sweet Michigan berries, and Leelanau Savory’s to-die-for pesto. And don’t miss Michigan Signery for all of your souvenirs and home decor depicting our favorite Michigan places.
Leland Farmers Market – Thursday Mornings
Leland’s Bluebird Tavern is a popular dinner spot, but on Thursday Mornings the parking lot is filled with vendors from all over the region. From 9 am – 1 pm, you’ll find fresh cut flowers, farm produce picked earlier that morning, and a wide variety of crafts and locally made goodies. Keep an eye out for the most colorful booth and you’ll find yourself at Bay Meadows Farms where you can pick up a gorgeous bouquet or visit The Beach Walk and find charming jewelry made from sea glass and stones from the beaches of Lake Michigan.
Northport Farmers Market – Friday Mornings
Northport’s Farmers Market is beloved by locals not only for its incredible produce but for its great location. Right on the waterfront at Bay Front Park, you can shop for local goodies and enjoy the view. Enjoy microgreens from Green Spirit Living Farm, snack on roasted maple-ginger walnuts from Leelanau Gourmet, and grab lunch at Crepes & Co where you can pick out a delicious sweet or savory authentic French crepe.
Suttons Bay Farmers Market – Saturday Mornings
When driving along the M22 on any sunny Saturday morning this summer, you’ll most likely find yourself pulling off in Suttons Bay for the farmers market. At the intersection of M22 and M204, this farmers market is impossible to miss. You’ll find Walk Around Ranch, known for their incredible goat’s milk soap, Dancing Moon Gourds selling beautiful pieces of artwork, and Lamie Wellness with delicious one-of-a-kind teas.
Empire Farmers Market – Saturday Mornings
Just down the road from Glen Arbor, you’ll find the quaint community of Empire. This farmers market is the smallest of the Leelanau Peninsula markets, but you can still grab all of your essentials. Bakkers Acres is a popular farm produce stand known for crisp and delicious fruits and vegetables. Rooted in Permaculture delivers produce along with flower bouquets grown just minutes from town. Still Point Market has a little of everything, but most notable is their maple syrup harvested from their own sugar bush.
Farm Stands
Gallagher’s Farm Market
If you can’t make it to one of the farmers markets around the Leelanau Peninsula, don’t fret! You can always visit Gallagher’s Farm Stand just west of Traverse City on M72. This family-run farm market is open 8 am until 6 pm. You’ll find fresh-picked produce from all over the area. Ask for the seasonal specialties that change weekly. One week you’ll find sweet corn and the next the most flavorful cherries you’ll ever taste. You’ll also find freshly baked goodies and local products. Peach-blueberry pies, strawberry shortcake with homemade biscuits, and pumpkin donuts are just a couple treats that you can expect.
Red Gate Farm Stand
Located in beautiful Maple City, Red Gate Farm specializes in heirloom vegetables, baked goods, and farm-fresh eggs. You’ll also find a wide variety of seasonal items from fresh berry jams to cute postcards to fragrant bundles of lavender. Check ahead on Facebook (www.facebook.com/redgatefarm) for the days Andria will open, usually that would be Friday through Sunday starting at 9 am.
All summer long you can find delicious local produce almost anywhere along the Leelanau Peninsula. Stop by any of these quaint farmers markets or farm stands and you’ll be swimming in fresh fruits and vegetables. Ask your innkeeper at Glen Arbor Bed & Breakfast for the latest in-season produce and check out our blog for incredible recipes to enjoy your local finds.
Book a stay at Glen Arbor Bed & Breakfast and Cottages in downtown Glen Arbor and experience the Leelanau Peninsula from our comfortable accommodations.
