Westside Community Market

Westside Community Market is hosted by University Research Park at the MG&E Innovation Center, giving this Madison market a setting tied to one of the city’s west-side work and research corridors rather than a downtown square. It runs at University Ave. and Segoe Rd. on Saturdays from spring through late October, with a producer-only, vendor-run identity that goes back to its 2005 start on the west side. That combination matters here: a neighborhood market shaped by farmers and food makers themselves, with a mix that spans produce, cheese, meats, honey, bakery, flowers, plants, and hand-crafted foods from Wisconsin growers and artisans.

Why it matters locally

The Westside Community Market describes itself as Madison’s first vendor-run, producer-only market on the west side, a model that grew from demand for local food and for a place where farmers could sell their own goods. That producer-only emphasis still defines the market today, with Wisconsin farmers, nursery owners, and artisanal food producers making up the Saturday lineup.

Its location inside University Research Park adds a distinctly west-side anchor, and the market’s own history traces a long local presence from its 2005 opening at the Hill Farms Department of Transportation complex to later moves within Madison’s west side. The current mix stays grounded in fresh food and farm products while also making room for neighborhood-scale extras like flowers, plants, compost, and prepared specialties from regional food artisans.

What you'll find there

The vendor mix leans heavily toward Wisconsin-grown and Wisconsin-made staples, with a strong produce bench supported by dairy, baked goods, flowers, beverages, and pantry items. The current roster also shows how the market balances long-table farm shopping with a handful of specialty food producers and useful plant vendors.

• -Pick up coffee from Alice Good Coffee.
• -Find sweet corn from Alsum Sweet Corn.
• -Bring home granola from Anna's Granola.
• -Shop honey from B's Honey.
• -Look for dairy from B. Kurt Dairy.
• -Browse produce from Black Earth Valley.
• -Choose produce from Blue Moon Community Farm.
• -Add seasonings and pantry staples from The Deliciouser.
• -Start a garden with plants from Domann's Plants.
• -Stock up on vegetables from Don's Produce.
• -Take home chocolate from Driftless Chocolates.
• -Pour olive oil from Firma Olive Oil.
• -Cook with mushrooms from Fungi Farmers.
• -Sign up for compost service through Green Box Compost.
• -Pick up bakery items from Honey Bee Bakery.
• -Carry home cut flowers from Hope and Hill Flower Co..
• -Buy fruit from Kopke’s Fruit of the Bloom, Inc..
• -Taste cheese from Landmark Creamery.
• -Grab bread from Madison Sourdough.
• -Sip kombucha from Mr. Tea's Kombucherie.
• -Find greens at New Life Greens.
• -Bring home maple syrup from Open Kettle Farms Maple Syrup.
• -Shop native plants from Tend Native Plants.
• -Look for orchard fruit from Ten Eyck Orchard.
• -Pick up tortillas from Tortillas Los Angeles.
• -Add cranberries from Wetherby Cranberry Co..
• -Finish with dips from Yalladips.
• -Shop flowers from Yellow Dog Flowers.

Live music is described as happening nearly every week, and FoodShare shoppers can also look for the return of the Double Dollars program.

Know before you go

No dogs are allowed, which is the clearest rule likely to change how you plan a Saturday stop. Parking is available along the east side of Rosa Road, with additional lot parking in front of the MG&E Innovation Center. The market sits at University Ave. and Segoe Rd. within University Research Park, so drivers should look for the Rosa Road and Research Park approach points rather than a central plaza setup.

Restrooms are not available on site, another practical detail worth knowing before you head over. If you need a direct contact, the market manager is Ben Zimmerman.

Payments & SNAP

SNAP/EBT is accepted at Westside Community Market, and the market also highlights the return of Double Dollars for FoodShare shoppers. The market notes clear payment methods, which helps when you are mixing produce stops with bakery, cheese, and prepared-food purchases across the vendor lineup.