Where is the West Bend Farmers' Market (Market) located?
The West Bend Farmers' Market is located on Main Street in downtown West Bend, between Washington Street (Hwy 33) on the north and Hickory Street on the south. Parking lots are located along the Milwaukee River to the east of the Market and additional parking is available on city streets surrounding the Market on all sides.
When is the Market open?
The Market is open every Saturday from the third Saturday of May through the last Saturday of October, rain or shine. The hours of the Market are 7:30 am - 11:00 am. Sales to the public are not allowed until the Market opens at 7:30 am with the ringing of bells. Sales must end promptly at 11:00 am when bells are rung again to mark the end of the Market day.
Is there an Information Booth?
The Downtown West Bend Association (DWBA) owns and operates the West Bend Farmers' Market. The DWBA has an information booth at the Market which is staffed by an association employee each week. Beyond information about the Market itself, DWBA has information about the annual calendar of special events that the association hosts, about downtown specialty shops, bars and restaurants and about the City of West Bend in general. The booth also serves as the Lost and Found location for the Market and is the booth to address emergency situations. If you need to contact someone regarding the West Bend Farmers' Market, call the DWBA at (262)-338-3909 or email to [email protected]. You can also visit us in person at 120 N. Main Street, Ste. 120, just inside the Main Street entrance to the Centrum Building.
The Downtown West Bend Association (DWBA) information booth at the Market serves as the Lost & Found location. Any items turned into the DWBA during a Market, but not claimed by anyone during the Market, will be brought to the DWBA offices at 120 N. Main Street, Suite 120, West Bend, WI 53095, after the Market day. For unclaimed items, the DWBA will either take photos or write a description of the found item(s) and post the information on the organization's social media.
Are nonprofits, including political parties, allowed at the Market?
In addition to traditional farmers' market vendors, the West Bend Farmers' Market includes stalls each week for service businesses, craft vendors and nonprofit organizations. Nonprofit organizations include churches, religious organizations, educational organizations and political parties. The DWBA believes that the Market is an extension of our community, where free speech, and the free expression of views and beliefs should be allowed. There are restrictions for any vendor regarding offensive language and signage, promoting specific political policies and active campaigning. For example, candidates running for office may not reserve a vendor space for their campaign, but may help man a booth reserved for the political party to which they belong. Candidates are not allowed to walk the Market to collect signatures to get on a ballot, but may have ballot clipboards at a booth reserved by the political party to which they belong. All nonprofits are restricted to no more than 6 dates at the Market each season.
What do vendors sell at the Market?
Products for sale at the West Bend Farmers' Market include vegetable plants and fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, honey, fresh and frozen meat products, frozen fish, bread and bakery items, mushrooms, candies, teas, coffees, soups, cooking oils, pet treats, natural and organic cosmetics, herb plants and fresh herbs, flowering plants and fresh cut flowers, wood products, metal products, jewelry, CBD products, food and beverage vendors for something to eat or drink while at the market, craft items, clothing and much more. Throughout the year different vendors are featured on the Market's Facebook page, including the specific products or services that they sell: West Bend Farmers Market.
Are dogs allowed at the Market?
The West Bend Farmers' Market welcomes well-behaved dogs and their handlers. The DWBA emphasizes WELL-BEHAVED, and reserves the right to remove and ban dogs and their owners from the Market. Dog owners/handlers are 100% responsible for their dog's actions at the Market. It is the owner’s responsibility to ensure that dogs are non-aggressive and exhibit safe behavior around children and other dogs. Dogs must be on a short leash, and under control at all times. Dog owners are encouraged to have their pets relieve themselves outside of the Market, before or after visiting, and are absolutely required to clean up after them at the Market if the need arises. Dogs and owners not following these requirements will be asked to leave the Market and may be banned for the remainder of the season at the discretion of the DWBA.
Are all Farmers' Market products certified organic?
No, but there is a percentage of the 90 + weekly vendors that offer organic products every week. Different vendors choose different production methods. We encourage shoppers to talk to each vendor to learn more about their products.
Can I get a map of the Market?
Yes, maps are available online, digitally, at the Market website. They can be downloaded and printed. Throughout the season the map is updated as needed, but typically only the Full Season vendors are listed permanently, with the rotating stalls changing with different Partial Season vendors each week. The DWBA posts a new listing of each week's specific Full and Partial Season vendors on the office window at 120 N. Main Street, and has a copy at the Information Booth each week.
How do I volunteer to help at the Market?
The DWBA appreciates having a volunteer or two man the Information Booth each week while staff makes its attendance rounds at the Market. The commitment is typically for 2 hours, from 8:00 am to 10:00 am. It includes answering questions, distributing information related to the Market and other upcoming DWBA events, and sales of DWBA retail items.
Can I use a credit card at the West Bend Farmers' Market?
Each vendor at the market has different payment policies. Some vendors do accept credit cards, Venmo or PayPal, or government payment programs (see below). All vendors at the Market accept cash.
Can I use WIC and/or Seniors Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) vouchers at the Market?
The WIC (Women Infant and Children) and Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Programs (FMNP) offer one-time food benefits to eligible participants each year. Each eligible participant receives checks that can be redeemed by participating vendors at local farmers' markets June through October on fresh fruits, vegetables, and fresh-cut herbs. This program is separate from Foodshare, and checks can be redeemed directly at participating vendors. Only participating vendors accept FMNP checks. Vendors that accept FMNP checks may have a yellow sign displayed at their market stall. We encourage shoppers to speak with vendors regarding what payments they accept before making purchases.
Does West Bend Farmers' Market Participate in FoodShare programs?
The West Bend Farmers' Market does not participate in FoodShare at this time.
