Jackson Park Farmers Market

Jackson Park Farmers Market operates as a collaborative venture with the Jackson Park Community Association, tying the market directly to a neighborhood organization rather than a stand-alone event. In Milwaukee, it sits on the Kinnickinnic River Parkway between South 43rd Street and West Forest Home Avenue, next to the pond and boathouse at 3500 W. Forest Home Ave.. That parkway-and-boathouse setting gives the market a clear physical identity, and the association behind it gives it a clear local base. The season runs from June through September, with an added winter market at the Jackson Park Boathouse in December.

Why it matters locally

The Jackson Park Community Association is built into this market’s structure, with the farmers market named as part of the association’s board responsibilities through Dena Radtke and supported by board roles for business membership, volunteer coordination, community events, social media, and grants. The market is also linked to the Southeast Wisconsin Farmers Market Collaborative, which says its work is meant to strengthen local communities and promote healthy living through promotional efforts and the Taste It Tent program. Funding support from the University of Wisconsin Madison Extension adds another local-network layer to that effort. Together, those connections place the market inside a neighborhood association, a regional market collaborative, and public-facing nutrition programming.

What you'll find there

This market’s strongest documented emphasis is benefits access rather than a published vendor roster. The market highlights programs that let shoppers use tokens and approved nutrition benefits across participating vendors, which shapes the experience on the ground even without a current public vendor list.

• -Use JPFM tokens with any vendor after using QUEST EBT at the market.
• -Shop with several vendors who accept WIC benefits at this approved market.
• -Find several vendors that accept Senior FMNP benefits at this approved market.
• -Purchase fruits and vegetables with MKE Match coupons through the Milwaukee Market Match program.

Beyond the main season, Jackson Park also hosts a winter market at the Jackson Park Boathouse on Sunday, December 14th from 9:30am to 2:00pm. A separate tree lighting ceremony is held at the triangle of South 43rd Street, West Forest Home Avenue, and West Oklahoma Avenue on Friday, December 5th.

Know before you go

No dogs are allowed at Jackson Park Farmers Market, a detail that can change plans if you usually combine a park visit with shopping. The market is set on the Kinnickinnic River Parkway between South 43rd Street and West Forest Home Avenue, next to the pond and boathouse, so the park landmarks are more useful for navigation than a storefront-style entrance. Restrooms are not available, another practical point to sort out before you arrive. For off-season browsing, the winter market shifts indoors to the Jackson Park Boathouse in December rather than using the parkway setup from the main season.

Payments & SNAP

Jackson Park Farmers Market accepts SNAP/QUEST EBT and issues JPFM tokens for use with any vendor. It is also a WIC-approved market and a Senior FMNP-approved market, with several vendors accepting those benefits. Through Milwaukee Market Match, shoppers can get up to $20 matched in food share at participating Milwaukee County farmers markets, and MKE Match coupons can be used for fruits and vegetables.