Market Frequently Asked Questions

Hours, Vendors, & Operational Questions

Where is the market located?

The West Allis Farmers Market is located at 6501 W. National Avenue in West Allis, Wisconsin. Click here for a map.

When is the market open?

The West Allis Farmers Market is open the first Saturday in May through the Saturday after Thanksgiving (closed Independence Day and Thanksgiving Day) on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Hours are as follows: Tuesday & Thursdays from 12 p.m. through 5 p.m. and Saturdays 1 p.m. through 5 p.m.

Please note we are closed on Independence Day and Thanksgiving Day.

What do vendors sell at the market?

A variety of local farmers, food vendors and specialty vendors are at the market offering produce, herbs, fresh flowers, seasonal plants, fresh meat and eggs, cheese, honey, syrup and prepared foods such as baked goods, pickles, preserves and more! Click here for the list of farmers or click here for the list of food and specialty vendors.

Are there bathrooms at the Farmers Market?

Yes, the Market has public bathrooms that are ADA compliant.

What vendors will be at the market each week, and what will they bring?

That’s the fun of the Farmers Market! We don’t know exactly what each vendor will bring to the market, but we invite you to come and explore! Check out this guide to the seasonal availability of Wisconsin fruits and vegetables to give you an idea of when your favorite items may be available.

You can also subscribe to receive notifications of market news and events here or follow our Facebook and Instagram accounts.

Are all Farmers Market products certified organic?

No. Different vendors choose different production methods. Talk with each vendor to learn more about their specific products.

Does the Farmers Market accept SNAP benefits?

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as FoodShare, is in place at the Farmers Market. The Market’s goal is to increase access to fresh fruits and vegetables for low-income families and to provide an additional value-added revenue source for our vendors. Persons eligible for FoodShare benefits are able to purchase tokens with their benefits card at the Market and utilize the Market to purchase fresh items that are nutritious for them and their families. Learn more about the SNAP program here.

Does the Farmers Market accept farmers market checks from WIC?

Some farmers/vendors do accept farmers market checks from WIC. You’ll have to ask the farmer/vendor specifically to find out which ones accept this type of payment.

Are you a partner of the Milwaukee Market Match Program?

We are a proud partner of the Milwaukee Market Match program! When you use your QUEST card at the Market, you will receive tokens and additional coupons for free produce (up to $60 per person per Market).

Milwaukee Market Match coupons expire on December 29, 2024. The last West Allis Farmers Market of the year is on November 30, 2024. Visit the Market Office (just off 65th Street near the restrooms) to learn more, or visit here for a list of participating markets in Milwaukee.

Milwaukee Market Match logo

What payment types are accepted?

Vendors determine what payment types they choose to accept, but generally, cash is preferred. An ATM is available on-site for your convenience.

Are elderly or older adult transportation services provided?

Milwaukee County Aging and Disability Services is happy to offer an accessible transportation service, Older Adult Transportation Service (OATS), to eligible Milwaukee county residents aged 60 years and older. Accessible transit vans provide rides to a variety of destinations around Milwaukee County including grocery stores and Farmers Markets.

OATS is only available on weekdays, and therefore can only service rides to the Farmers Market on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Service is NOT provided on Saturdays. Riders need to be enrolled to use this service and can do so by calling (414)-289-6874 to enroll or (414)-847-2744 to schedule a ride. More info is available here.

Are dogs allowed?

The West Allis Farmers Market welcomes well-behaved dogs to join in the market fun! It’s the owners’ responsibility to ensure dogs are non-aggressive, on a leash, and under control at all times. Dogs (like humans) are required to use the appropriate restroom facilities. There are several grass areas located around the market areas, and owners/guardians are required to clean up after them. Dogs and owners not following these requirements may be asked to leave at the discretion of the Farmers Market Attendant.

Who runs the market?

The City of West Allis Department of Communications is responsible for overseeing the operations of the market. The grounds are owned by the City and maintained by the City’s Department of Public Works. Our Tourism & Event Coordinator serves as the point-person for the market and market vendors.

I am interested in hosting a public event at the Farmers Market. Who should I contact?

Contact the Tourism & Event Coordinator, Chelsea Famularo, at cfamularo@westalliswi.gov.

Can I collect signatures,  solicit sales or engage in political conversations at the Market?

The West Allis Farmers Market does not allow political or religious organizations to be vendors or day sponsors. Soliciting of any kind is not permitted on the West Allis Farmers Market property.

Any other insider tips to know?

Talk to the vendors and other shoppers! If you see a vegetable you’ve never tried, don’t be afraid to ask the vendor or the shopper next to you for tips on storing or preparing it.

Come often – the selection at the Market is different each day.

Come early – vendors are not required to stay until close of the Market. Some may leave early if they sell out of items or choose to close their booths earlier in the day.

Subscribe to our email list here to be the first to know when your favorite items start appearing at the Market.

Parking and Construction Questions

Where can I find parking?

The West Allis Farmers Market has several parking locations available for use, providing a total of 184 available spaces in addition to street parking. A few we recommend are:

– The West Allis Farmers Market Parking Lot – Access is located off 65th Street at 6501 W. National Ave and has 68 stalls available

– Farmers Market Overflow Lot – Access is located off Lapham Street, as well as the alley off of 66th Street. Please note that Lapham Street is closed for programming on Market Saturdays. At those times, this lot is only accessible via 66th Street.

– SoNa Lofts Shared Parking Lot – Access is located off National Avenue, just half a block west of the Market at 6675 W. National Avenue. Once the SoNA Lofts development is complete in 2023, there will some shared parking stalls with the SoNa development itself, allowing for Farmers Market patrons to use them when available. Long-term, as the properties to the west of the SoNa site get developed, the City plans for even more shared parking, up to 160 additional parking stalls to be shared amongst the future users. Once these areas are developed, there will be more paved 0ff-street parking stalls. These stalls will be shared with visitors of Markers Row development across the street from the Market and will have a limited parking time restriction on them.

– Horace Mann Elementary School Parking Lot – Access is located off Lapham Street, just one block east of the Market at 6213 W. Lapham Street. This lot is only available during NON-SCHOOL DAYS.

– National Avenue – Access may be disrupted given the construction projects near by.

While visiting the Farmers Market, we ask that you please be respectful of our parking partners’ property, pick up all garbage, and drive safely.

Where is disabled parking?

There are spaces dedicated for disability parking in our primary Market parking lot located off 65th Street at 6501 W. National Avenue. Spots are first come, first serve.

What is the construction happening by the Farmers Market?

The SoNa Lofts portion of the project has included the construction of approximately 110 market-rate apartment units and approximately 5,177 square feet of retail space in the three-story building.

The Makers Row portion of the development along S. 66th Street includes two buildings anchored by Valentine Coffee’s new headquarters at the Corner of S. 66th Street and W. National Avenue. Three more businesses – Heaven’s Table BBQ, Dairyland, and Lola’s Empanadas – have been added to the list of tenants that will set up shop at Makers Row, a food and beverage-based development being built in the Six Points neighborhood in West Allis.