South Shore Farmers Market

The South Shore Farmers’ Market Committee organizes this Saturday market in South Shore Park, where shopping happens along Lake Michigan at 2900 South Shore Drive. The setting is a big part of the draw: the market takes place in Milwaukee’s South Shore Park and pairs that lakefront location with a roster of about 50 vendors. Within one morning stop, you can move from farm vegetables and orchard fruit to coffee, pastries, hot breakfast, mushrooms, maple goods, and prepared foods.

Why it matters locally

South Shore Park Watch launched the market as a committee, and the market was conceived as an extension of Friends of South Shore Park. That origin ties the market closely to the park itself rather than to a generic retail site. The committee still runs the market today, with named market managers including Angela DeStefanis and Caitlyn McWilliams and a larger planning committee behind the season.

The market also keeps a clear food-focused identity. It describes itself as a food-only market and does not accept non-food items such as crafts, soaps, art, advocacy, or recruiting. That policy shapes the experience on the ground: stalls center on agricultural products, prepared foods, baked goods, drinks, and pantry staples rather than mixed merchandise.

What you'll find there

The vendor mix leans heavily into food, with produce growers, ready-to-eat breakfast and lunch stands, bakeries, coffee, and pantry items all represented. It is also broad within those lanes, so one visit can cover raw ingredients, take-home staples, and something hot to eat right away.

• -Pick up raclette wedges, curds, string cheese, whips, and cheddar from Alpinage Cheese.
• -Stock up on strawberries, raspberries, squash, pumpkins, cucumbers, peppers, beans, melons, potatoes, and beef from Alsum Sweet Corn.
• -Pour a cup from Anodyne Coffee Roasting Company, which brings coffee, cold brew, iced tea, sport tea, and whole bean coffee.
• -Find bouquets alongside radishes, carrots, kale, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and strawberries at Bla Chong Thao Produce & Flowers.
• -Watch for apples, pears, and seasonal cider from Brightonwoods Orchard.
• -Grab sweet and savory biscuits, rotating desserts, and spreads from Buttah & Biscuit.
• -Order Mexican breakfast, burritos, tacos, quesadillas, tamales, and house salsa from Guanajuato Mexican Restaurant.
• -Bring home maple syrup, maple mustard, maple caramel corn, maple Chex mix, granola, and nuts from Drewry Farms.
• -Shop dedicated gluten-free muffins, donuts, breads, buns, soups, cookies, calzones, and cinnamon rolls at Mor Bakehouse.
• -Choose beef, pork, chicken, turkey, sandwiches, brats, and burgers from Ney’s Big Sky.
• -Look for fresh mushrooms, wild mushrooms in season, pickled mushrooms, pasta sauces, spreads, tamales, pestos, and soups at River Valley Ranch.
• -Finish with bean-to-bar chocolate and cacao products from Tabal Chocolate.

The calendar also includes named community programming. The first Saturday in August hosted National Day Out, and July 29 featured an anniversary celebration and Community Day Out with area nonprofit resource tables.

Know before you go

No dogs are allowed at this market, a rule that may affect how you plan a Saturday lakefront stop. Access details are also specific: the east side of the market is wheelchair accessible, and eight accessible parking places sit near the pavilion and along South Shore Road by the market. Restrooms are not available on site, so that is worth factoring in before you arrive.

If you are driving, use 2900 South Shore Drive for the destination in South Shore Park. The market runs Saturday mornings only during the June through October season, so the visit window is compact and oriented around an early-day food run rather than an all-day schedule.