Shop Local Nampa 101: Nampa Farmer's Market

On Saturday, we packed up the kids and headed into downtown Nampa for the weekly Nampa Farmer’s Market. The first day of autumn felt like a perfect way to spend time outside with the kids and check out local vendors. I was in the market for bulk tomatoes because I wanted to start canning salsa or tomato sauce. The kids were hoping for any kind of treat that would more than likely involve sugar.

According to NampaFarmersMarket.com, the market is celebrating their 24^th year of business. The market is located in downtown Nampa across the street from the Nampa train depot on Front Street. There are a variety of vendors offering local produce, handicrafts, and ready-to-eat foods.

We arrived about an hour before the market shut down, so parking was fairly easy to access. I usually go to the market in the early summer months to buy fruit for canning jam. There seemed to be a smaller number of vendors and shoppers on this visit, which actually made it easier to keep an eye on four kids with four separate ideas of what they wanted to look at. 

Will not open eyes until appropriate levels of sugar are found!

Most noticeably, the local vendors love Boise State and you can buy anything Boise State Bronco themed in blankets, clothing, hats, pet clothes, doll clothes, and household goods! They about have the Blue and Orange store beat on variety and price too. ;-) 

First purchase stop was a vendor that had cotton candy. A large bag for $2.00 was a fair price and the kids were thrilled with the variety of flavors. While they were buying and inhaling their sticky treat, I visited with a vendor named Lois who hand sews Barbie doll clothes. This may not interest many, but as a mom to three girls who are always dressing Barbies, the clothes wear out very quickly. Most outfits ranged from $5.00-$10.00 and I'm thinking these handmade goodies would make great holiday gifts. 

A little back story. My third kiddo, Zippy, had oral surgery the day before and had a nasty experience with anesthesia. I was a little worried that this small outing would be too much for her to handle. Zippy was a trooper however, and her weekend was made when one of the vendors gave her a sunflower! Awww... it was so sweet! 

Zippy's day was made!

The awesome vendor was also selling a variety of pumpkins too, so one came home with us. I loved the fall look to his booth and the prices were reasonable. Plus, he scored points with mom and kids which is a win for everyone!

Beautiful display of Fall colors!

We hit the trifecta with the next vendor who was selling homemade goat cheese products. Her name is Diane and she owns Wild Country Nubians out in Oreana. She has a herd of Nubian goats and sells raw/unpasteurized goat milk and cheese. She offered me a few samples and I quickly bought up a small log of herb du provence which was soft goat cheese rolled in herbs. I was excited to get this home for dinner and have a glass (or two) of red wine with it.

I kept looking for tomatoes, but did not see anything in bulk for a price I liked. The kids paired up with their father or I and just browsed. We saw a lot of items that certainly are unique to Idaho.

Handicrafts with a western flair!

Redneck wine glasses! Oh, Idaho!

After another fifteen minutes of browsing, we also bought a ceramic bowl with a chopsticks holder and lemon cucumbers. The market was about to close up and I got a great deal on those cucumbers. Normally priced 4/$1.00, he gave me eight! It does pay to show up at a market in the last minutes for those free deals!

$15.00 for all this goodness!

The Nampa Farmer's Market runs from April-October with October 27th being the last day until the new 2013 season. If you enjoy eating local, seasonal produce this market is a wonderful place to visit. The weekend before Halloween is always fun for families because they turn the market into a Trick or Treat adventure for kids. The joys of the market, plus everyone is in costumes!

Parent Satisfaction Rating: 4/5 :) 

Comments: Good parking, easy to navigate, friendly vendors, shop around for good prices, would like to see more variety of vendors 

Kid Satisfaction Rating: 3/5 :) 

Comments: Yummy cotton candy, it was good, we saw trains! 

Nampa Farmer's Market:

Every Saturday from April-October (check website for exact dates of open/close of season)

9 A.M.-1 P.M.

Exact location: 14th Ave South and Front Street (across the street from the Nampa train depot)

Live music every week!

Payment options:

Vendors also take VISA, MasterCard, and the Idaho Quest Card. There is also an ATM available. 

For more information: 

http://www.nampafarmersmarket.com/

Nampa Farmer's Market Site. Nampa Farmer's Market, n.d. Web. 29 Sept. 2012.