Photo: Rachel Nadeau
Wayzata and Excelsior farmers markets help shoppers support local.
The Lake Minnetonka area is spoiled for choice when it comes to farmers markets, in particular the popular Wayzata and Excelsior markets. Excelsior’s market is every Tuesday afternoon and Wayzata’s is on Thursdays. Here are a few of our favorite vendors.
Wayzata Farmers Market
The market has a new location this year in the Promenade of Wayzata. Vendors stretch out along the wide sidewalk in the courtyard and then out along Lake Street.
Family Farms
From: Delano
Sells: Homemade jam and maple syrup
“I grew up farming,” says Deb Hoen, whose Family Farms label has been at the market for 27 years. “That’s something that’s the core of a lot of the Minnesota-grown people and thoughts: It should stay local and support the farmers that are trying to bring these goods to people.”
Otto’s Garden
From: Delano
Sells: Gladiolus and dahlias. Won two grand champion ribbons at 2019’s State Fair. “We plant 12 to 13,000 bulbs of gladiolus. We have over 200 varieties,” Jim Otto, owner, says. Otto and his family grow the flowers on 20 acres of land. Will be at the market August 6 through September.
iStock/AnastasiaTurshina
Excelsior Farmers Market
Find them on Water Street in between Second and Third Avenues.
Abundant Kitchen & Kowalski’s
From: Excelsior
Sells: Home goods, kitchen items
“Kowalski’s Market is going to work at Abundant Kitchen, a store on Water Street that’s on the front steps of the market. We are going to have weekly demos,” Laura Hotvet, executive director of Excelsior-Lake Minnetonka Chamber of Commerce, says.
Twin Orchards
From: Shorewood
Sells: Organic, locally grown vegetables and produce. Feel like growing your own? Pick up a starter plant. Also known for perennial and annual shrubs and flowers. Everything is grown in their Shorewood orchard. “Nothing’s getting shipped from all over. We’re getting it here, growing it here and selling it here. It’s about as local as you can get,” Alan Brandhorst, owner of Twin Orchards, says.
Crepe and Cake Food Truck
From: Plymouth
Sells: Crêpes (her grandmother’s recipe)
“I moved from Paris to Minnesota in 2014,” Florence Aymard, Crêpe and Cake’s owner, says. “I said, ‘It’s a new job and a new life. Let’s live the American dream and open my own business.’” Minnesota’s first crêpe food truck was born with a menu of more than 50 flavors. She has new combinations every week such as pears, almond and chocolate. In addition to the traditional Crêpe Suzette, there is a menu item of Bailey’s and bananas. For the kids, she recommends chocolate M&Ms and marshmallows.
Wayzata Farmers Market
850 Lake St. N., Wayzata
Every Thursday through the end of September; 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Excelsior Farmers Market
Water Street between Second and Third Avenues, Excelsior; Every Tuesday through Sept. 1; 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
