Making healthy choices by consuming fresh, locally grown, flavorful, seasonal produce will contribute to your well-being.

In addition to fruits and vegetables, local farmers market vendors sell dairy products, meat, wild rice, honey, preserves, baked goods, plants, fresh cut flowers and much more. Farmers markets offer a unique shopping experience and community engagement with growers and producers.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture has guidance for farmers markets and vendors on their website. All six farmers markets in Crow Wing County have COVID-19 plans to keep local farmers, merchants and patrons as safe and healthy as possible. The way to find their individual plans is noted on the list below.

When asked about COVID-19, none of the vendors at the Franklin Arts Center farmers market on Tuesday, June 9, had seen a decrease in business. There was a hand wash station and health safety signs posted. Some of the vendors wore masks, while others did not. Vendors are being creative with making patrons feel safe.

“My daughter, Rachel Cobb, also takes online orders," said Beth Lindman, Brambling Rows Farms. "That way the produce is ready to pick up for people who want to feel safer.”

People aren't only interested in produce but other locally sourced products.

“We’ve sold a lot of plants, really a lot,” said Al Cunningham, Natural Spring Farm.

Shopping outdoors and breathing the fresh air is a free bonus. Summer is short, so now is the time to enjoy farmers markets. When young Saralynn Thorson, Thorson’s Farm Fresh Produce, commented excitedly on the beautiful, healthy basil plant that I couldn’t resist purchasing, her eyes were sparkling with pride and there is no doubt she was smiling behind her mask.

The farmers market that was in the parking lot on Laurel Street in Brainerd (new last year) is taking a year off. The days, locations and times of the other six are listed.

Area farmers markets

8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Tuesdays in Brainerd

Franklin Arts Center Parking Lot, 1001 Kingwood St.

COVID-19 plan on website.

More info at brainerdfarmersmarket.com or info@brainerdfarmersmarket.com .

8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Thursdays in Nisswa.

American Legion Parking Lot, 25807 Main St.

COVID-19 plan on website.

More info at brainerdfarmersmarket.com or info@nisswafarmersmarket.com .

8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Fridays in Baxter.

Viking Land Harley-Davidson parking lot, 7915 Highway 210.

COVID-19 plan on website.

More info at brainerdfarmersmarket.com or info@brainerdfarmersmarket.com .

2:30-5:30 p.m. Fridays in Pine River.

Next to the Pine River Information Center, near intersection of Highway 371 and Barclay Avenue stoplight. Accepts SNAP/EBT transactions.

COVID-19 plan at facebook.com/pinerivermarketsquare .

More info at prmarketsquare.wordpress.com or prmarketsquare@gmail.com .

9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays in Ideal Corners.

34988 County Road 39, Pequot Lakes.

COVID-19 plan posted in Lake Country Cares.

More info at idealgreenmarket.com , info@idealgreenmarket.com or 218-543-6565.

9 a.m.-noon Saturdays in Crosby.

Main Street Plaza at the corner of Cross and Main streets. Accepts SNAP/EBT transactions; Market Bucks program, offered by Hunger Solutions.

COVID-19 plan at facebook.com/cuyunarangefarmersmarket .

More info at minnesotagrown.com/member/cuyuna-range-farmers-market , cuyunarangefarmersmarket@gmail.com or 218-251-5222.

1/2: Beth Lindman of Brambling Rows Farm offers early season produce Tuesday, June 9, at the farmers market in the Franklin Arts Center parking lot. Millie Engisch / Crow Wing Energized

2/2: Gayle Stevens of Patchwork Farms stands in her market space Tuesday, June 9, at the farmers market in the Franklin Arts Center parking lot in Brainerd. Millie Engisch / Crow Wing Energized