By Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor, Podcast Host Published Oct 31, 2014 at 1:02 PM

The Milwaukee County Winter Farmers Market will observe its first market day this Saturday, November 1 in its spacious quarters at the Mitchell Park Domes, 524 S. Layton Blvd.

And, for those who enjoy sleeping in on weekends, there’s also good news. You can rest a little bit longer thanks to changes to the winter market’s hours, which now begin at 9 a.m. and run through 1 p.m.

The sixth annual market will feature over 50 vendors from over 21 counties across Wisconsin, including farmers, ranchers, beekeepers, orchardists, cheese makers, hydroponic and aquaculture producers, bakers, confectioners and ethnic specialty food purveyers. Products include fresh, locally grown produce, herbs, grass-fed meat, pastured poultry, true free range eggs, baked goods, stone-ground organic flour, oatmeal, honey, maple syrup, seasonal jams, soup and so much more. The Market also offers on site prepared breakfast/brunch fare along with locally roasted pour over coffee.

This season, in addition to returning customer favorites, market-goers will find new products like duck, Cornish game hens, goat meat, kombucha, sauerkraut and kimchi, with an additional supply of hoop house grown greens, pastured eggs, and heritage breed pork.

Six new vendors include Dalla Terra Pasta, Honey Bee Bakery, LotFotl Community Farm, Roots Chocolates, Sugar Bee Farm and Zymbiotics.

The MCWFM began in 2009 at Wisconsin State Fair Park with just 25 vendors and an average of several hundred shoppers per week. With a strategic move to The Domes last season, the market welcomed an average 2,000 visitors each Saturdayand vendor sales doubled over what they had been the previous year.

"I can’t say enough good things about our farmers and food entrepreneurs," says Deb Deacon, market coordinator. "The combination of our full season, bi-weekly and selected date vendors really makes each Saturday at the winter market unique."

The Milwaukee County Winter Farmers Market is open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.  Nov. 1 to April 11, with the exception of Nov. 29 and Dec. 27.

Visit mcwfm.org to sign up for the weekly MCWFM e-newsletter and visit the market’s Facebook page for regular market updates.

Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor, Podcast Host

Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with each and every dish. She’s had the privilege of chronicling these tales via numerous media, including OnMilwaukee and in her book “Milwaukee Food.” Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. 

When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or recording the FoodCrush podcast, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.