By Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor Published Nov 03, 2023 at 1:02 PM

The Milwaukee Winter Farmers Market will officially kick off its 15th season tomorrow, Nov. 4 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Table, 5305 W. Capitol Drive.

The market, which is operated by the Fondy Food Center, exists to support local producers as well as to help the local community to continue to eat local foods even after the peak season has passed. 

"We were hoping the winter market would launch this season inside of our offices at 2102 W. Fond du Lac Avenue, in the Lindsay Heights Neighborhood," notes Fondy Food Center Executive Director Venice Williams.  But she says that the reconstruction needed to accommodate the market has not been completed.

Nonetheless, there's much to look forward to at this year's market.

Guests will find vendors offering high quality fruit, vegetables, meat, eggs, poultry and dairy products along with items like baked goods, jams, cider, honey and a variety of health and wellness products. 

This year's market will also see an expansion to the lower level of The Table to accommodate additional hot food vendors, more seating for patrons and additional community activities.

Guests will also notice an increased presence from Fondy Farmers. This weekend’s market will feature produce from Fondy vendors including Craigland Farms, Brehmer's Produce, Lucky Cuisine, Miss Rose’s Watkins Products, Pea Pod Farms, Vang Family Garden, Lily Bells Fine Dining, and House of Vitali-tea.

In addition to the market, guests can reflect upon Milwaukee Food Journeys, a collaborative art exhibit inspired by the stories of hundreds of Milwaukeeans that highlights issues of food access and food justice. The exhibit, which features work from LUNA and TRUE Skool artists, will hold its opening reception at the Nov. 4 market and will be on display through April 13, 2024.

The Winter Farmers Market takes place every Saturday, Nov. 4 through April 13 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. SNAP Benefits are accepted.

For more information and updates throughout the season, follow Milwaukee Farmers Market on Facebook.

Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor

As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.

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 every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.

When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, 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.