Late Summer Farmstand Crawl

Hi, Friends! Here in Bennington County, there’s a farmers market four days a week in the summer and early fall, which makes for a proper Farm Crawl over a long weekend. Hop in the car, stay local, and stock up on the bounty of the season.

Photo courtesy of the Arlington Village Farmers Market

Kick off Thursday at the Manchester Farmers Market (709 Depot Street, 3pm to 6pm), where 20-plus vendors sell produce, meats, cheeses, and prepared foods rain or shine. Friday evening, head to Arlington Village Farmers Market (Route 7A in Arlington, 4pm to 7pm) — a genuine, community-wide draw that pulls shoppers from Manchester, Dorset, Bennington, and Pownal, with live music and 30-plus vendors slinging everything from sourdough bagels to maple-cured beef.

Saturday belongs to the Bennington Community Farmers Market (100 Memorial Drive, 10am–1pm), the county's producer-only anchor market, where tomatoes, corn, peaches, and blueberries are at their peak. Round out the weekend Sunday at the Dorset Farmers Market across from H.N. Williams General Store (2732 VT-30, 10am–2pm), which is strong on cheese, mushrooms, and fresh-baked bread.

In between market days, two farm stands are worth the detour: Hill Top Farm in North Pownal, a multi-generation operation known for organic beef, pork, eggs, and wood-fired maple syrup; and Clear Brook Farm in Shaftsbury, a nearly 30-year fixture with organic vegetables and a one-stop picnic shop of meats, cheeses, and fruit.

This is also the last real stretch for Vermont's summer stone fruit before the shelves turn over to apples and squash. It’s worth planning around if peaches or blueberries are the goal. They are always priority items on my grocery list this time of year!

Photo courtesy of the Arlington Village Farmers Market

Manchester Farmers Market, Thursdays from 3pm to 6pm

Arlington Village Farmers Market, Fridays from 4pm to 7pm

Bennington Community Farmers Market, Saturdays from 10am to 2pm

Dorset Farmers Market, Sundays from 10am to 2pm

Anytime — Hill Top Farm (North Pownal) and Clear Brook Farm (Shaftsbury)