Oshkosh Farmers Market kicks off this weekend

OSHKOSH, Wis (WISS) – Lovers of the Oshkosh Farmers Market have been waiting for it to return to downtown Oshkosh since it wrapped up last year on October 26. Now, the wait is over. The Oshkosh Farmers Market kicks off its 2025 season on Saturday, June 7. 

Michelle Schmid-Schultz, Market Manager of the Oshkosh Farmers Market, says it looks to be a fantastic year with more vendors than ever before.

“We’ve taken over 200 applications this year.  I’m thinking opening day we’ll have around 110, and peak season will be about 140 vendors, mid-July to the end of September,” she said.

For the Farmers

The Oshkosh Farmer’s Market does offer craft booths and entertainment, but it is agriculturally driven, with farmers and ranchers taking up most of the booth spaces.

“Our focus is to keep America’s farmers thriving. And so we always promote them. Look for ways to help them. A lot of our programs focus on healthier eating and guide people to buying healthier food choices, such as fruits and vegetables, and fresh-cut meats,” Schmid-Shultz said. “We really gear a lot of our focus on all the other things we do to helping those farmers thrive.” 

What will visitors see?

The farmers, vendors, and organizations at the Oshkosh Farmers Market this year will showcase many different products, including fresh produce and flowers.

“With our first markets, you’re gonna see your early-season vegetables,” Schmid-Schultz said. “You’ll see sugar snap peas, rhubarb, asparagus, fresh greens. We have a microgreen vendor. You’ll see exotic mushrooms.” 

She said the farmers will also share their knowledge and will help gardeners get a leg up in their own plots with starter plants. There will be crafters, entertainment, buskers, and food trucks.

“ This year, I have almost 30 food trucks scheduled to vend at various times. Our Indian food truck is gonna be there this year. We have a Caribbean Taste. We have barbecue; we have smoked foods. We have gelato this year,” Schmid-Schultz said. “And, of course, we are the egg roll capital of the world, so we still have our egg roll trucks. But also the kombucha truck. We have some mocktails coming this year. So, just a lot of new things coming in the food segment this year. 

Non-profits and other organizations also set up at the Oshkosh Farmers Market to promote their message, fundraise, educate, and connect with the community. 

One of the things Schmid-Shultz said she is most excited about happens next week on June 14. It’s “Tomato Mania” where kids can get a free tomato plant to take home, plant, nurture, and from which to harvest tomatoes.

“ So they come to the market booth; they get a certificate. They go pick out a tomato plant anywhere they want. They come back and show us their tomato plant. We give them a T-shirt that tells everyone they’re a tomato maniac!” She added, “We give out about 150 tomato plants. So, first come, first served.”

If tomato plants remain at the farmers market’s close on the 14, “Tomato Mania” will continue on the Saturday, June 21.

“Tomato Mania” is a great way to teach children how food is grown and where the food on their table comes from.

Oshkosh Farmers’ Market Downtown

The Oshkosh Farmer’s Market closes the 400 and 500 blocks of Main Street and the 100 block of Church Street to traffic, allowing vendor booths to set up and shoppers to browse safely. Schmid-Shultz says the downtown businesses have embraced the market and open early to encourage shoppers. 

“ It is the social event of the summer. Rain or shine, it’s the social event.”

Most vendors are ready to sell by 7:30 a.m., so many people shop early. Learn more about the Oshkosh Farmers Market, special events and more, by visiting their website or Facebook page.