Shop Around

There’s Something for Everyone at the Broad Ripple Farmers Market

Writer / Alesha McCarty

Photographer / Michael Durr

The Broad Ripple Farmers Market is full of fall treats and goodies. The market currently is in its outdoor season, which occupies the back lot at Second Presbyterian Church. The outdoor season starts in May and ends in October. The market is led by Barbara Wilder, market manager, along with Kent Springer, and a whole team of volunteers.

You can find fresh, crisp apples from Wild’s Apple Farm and Compean & Sons. If you get there early enough, you can also snag one of the coveted apple cider doughnuts or cider slushies from Wild’s. David Boots and his wife run the family farm out of Zionsville. Compean & Sons is an orchard based out of Huntington, founded by Guillermo Compean and his wife Sara. Additional produce includes pumpkins, gourds, Brussels sprouts, hardy greens, beans, squashes, cauliflower, broccoli and much more.

Full Hand Farm has a bounty of pumpkins and beautiful squashes available, which are scrumptious roasted up with some local maple syrup, also available at the market. Pumpkins are plentiful, so you can get a head start on all those fall pies.

Jim Baughman, owner of Freedom Valley Farm, grows a variety of mushrooms including lion’s mane, oyster and shiitake. The hardy mushrooms are perfect in fall soups, stuffings and casseroles to warm up the chilly fall nights.

The market is full of hardy local goods that are perfect for fall bonfires and barbecues. Vendors have a variety of fresh local meats, eggs, artisanal treats, flowers, ready-to-eat goods, and gifts. You can find a full list on the official market website.

Vendors like Schacht Farm, Old Major Market, Phelps Family Farm and many more, have fresh meats perfect for grilling and roasting. Batch No. 2 has plenty of condiments and seasonings. Amelia’s, Native Bread and Jason Michael Thomas can supply all your bread and bakery needs.

If you’re looking to butter your bread, Tulip Tree Creamery has cultured butter, and Home Ec sells preserves.

“We feature over 70 diverse vendors, so we are able to offer customers a wide variety of products,” Springer says. “It makes for a great Saturday morning with friends or a casual, family-friendly outing.”

Need to check a pumpkin spice latte off of your fall to-do list? Hubbard & Cravens serves up delicious fall drinks including hot cocoa and their pumpkin spice latte, made with real pumpkin. Pots & Pans Pie Co. offers a variety of pies that will make you feel warm inside. One of their most popular pies is the S’mores Pie, with a graham cracker crust that holds a decadent chocolate ganache, topped with delicate, toasty marshmallow meringue. For a refresher, you might check out offerings from 317 Juicery, Circle Kombucha, or Ash & Elm Cider Co.

“Many of our vendors tailor their products to the fall season,” Springer says.

Fall flavors also include Nicey Treat’s Not-So-Hot Chocolate, Lick Ice Cream’s Vegan Chocolate Marshmallow, or Three Dog Bakery’s Caramel Apple Cupcakes. You can pick up fall decor like wreaths, mums, fall produce plants and bouquets.

The farmers market offers cozy, covered pavilion seating to eat your morning breakfast, or sip on some coffee while enjoying live music. The market will have trick-or-treating during their Saturday, October 30 market, and kids and adults are welcome to join.

Springer has great admiration for all the vendors, and mentions a few that stand out. Better Edges offers on-site blade sharpening – perfect to get your fall tools in tip-top shape. Corea Kimchi offers delicious kimchi. Byrne’s Grilled Pizza offers grilled breakfast pizza, perfectly enjoyed down at the pavilion alongside Williams Creek whilst enjoying live music. When it comes to fall produce, there are two things on Springer’s list – apples from Wild’s and unique pumpkins from Compean.

“We are a well-established market, started in 1994, and we are fortunate to have loyal customers and numerous vendors with organic growing practices,” Springer says. “For ready-to-eat foods, we select vendors who utilize local, high-quality ingredients.”

It’s a community where you can always find a friendly face, good conversation, and something to bring joy to your day or your belly.

The Broad Ripple Farmers Market operates at 7700 North Meridian Street in Indianapolis, every Saturday 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. For more info, visit brfm.org.