INSIDER’S GUIDE
Farmers’ Markets
Brookfield Farmers’ Market
The Brookfield Farmers’ Market opened in 1991 with 6 farmer vendors and was staffed by volunteers. Now in its 34th season, the market continues to thrive under the direction of Market Manager Bobbi Harvey.
More than 60 farmers
More than 60 market vendors offer a variety of products literally from soup (The Soup Market) to nuts (The Peanut Butter & Jelly Deli) and everything in between. Many of the vendors have been with the market for at least 10 years (the sign of a successful market). There are some new faces this year too. Here are just a few you should look for.
Food Fantasies – Chynna Denny is the woman behind the goodness. Crediting cooking shows for planting the seed, MATC for the discipline and technical skill, and Tenuta’s for the experience, Chynna launched her business in 2020. She keeps about 10 different pastas in rotation all made by hand from scratch in small batches, using only the freshest, natural ingredients. Ravioli and pappardelle are cut by hand. Her sauces are made from scratch too.
Pasta will be available at the market weekly until mid-June, then on alternating weeks. Find her here- Food Fantasies
Peanut Butter & Jelly Deli – This is definitely not the PB & J we put in our Scooby Do lunchboxes, friends. This is Wisconsin’s only shop dedicated to America’s favorite sandwich. The nut butters are freshly ground and include natural peanut, honey roasted peanut, almond, cashew and- peanut butter and dark chocolate (sounds like Reese’s Pieces in a tub, doesn’t it?) 55 varieties of jams, jellies and fruit butters are regionally made. Choose from favorites like apricot, blueberry and cherry, or take a walk on the wild side and try kiwi, pear apple chai or watermelon. Outside of the market, find them online at www.thepbjdeli.com.
Sammy May’s BeerBQ Sauce – Made with beer- the Wisconsin way from a 30 year old family recipe crafted by her dad when he owned his first brewery. The recipe was perfected, Sammy asked her dad if she could take the recipe and sell it, and the rest is history. The original sauce comes in 2 sizes and is also available online so you can get your sauce fix year-round. Find them at https://sammymaysbeerbq.com/
Market and More
Once each month, the market expands to include pottery, wooden items, candles, jewelry, soaps, and other hand-crafted items. Go to www.brookfieldfarmersmarket.com and click on the Market & More for a complete list of vendors. Vendors change each month, so don’t miss your favorites!
We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention 2 of our neighboring farmers markets- West Allis, and Wauwatosa.
Established in 1919, he West Allis Farmers Market offers a wide variety of seasonal produce, fresh meats, eggs, honey, maple syrup and more. The market opens on the first Saturday in May through the Saturday after Thanksgiving. (NO markets on 4th of July or Thanksgiving.) Open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12-6pm, and Saturdays from 1-6pm. We like the variety of vendors, and the week day hours. Check out the complete vendor list online at https://thatswhywestallis.com/farmers-market/
The Tosa Farmers Market is a newbie compared to West Allis! For over 10 years they’ve been supporting local farmers, food producers and artisans. Tosa offers a nice variety of prepared food vendors, produce and plants, as well as meat, fish, and dairy. This year’s market opens June 1, and runs through October 12, from 8-noon, with a Makers Market of hand crafted items held on the first Saturday of the month. Find a complete list of vendors online at https://www.tosafarmersmarket.com/.
