growing roots: A permanent home
Planting Seeds, Growing Community
Imagine this: a vibrant, permanent home for the Boise Farmers Market—a place where local growers, makers, and community members can gather every week, year after year. Through the Idaho Botanical Garden’s Expansion Campaign, we are making that happen.
The Idaho Botanical Garden’s Community Grows Here Expansion Campaign isn’t just about plants and paths—it’s about PEOPLE. Together, we’re collaborating to build a permanent home for the Boise Farmers Market.
2026 Market Season Locations
The Boise Farmers Market has big changes happening this year!
We are eager to welcome the community back to the market for the Summer Market Season at 1500 Shoreline Drive for one last Summer Market season April - October, every Saturday from 9am - 1pm. Come support your favorite farmers, ranchers, and makers for another bountiful Summer Market season!
Starting in November, the market will officially be moving to our fresh, new home at the Idaho Botanical Garden. This year’s Winter Market will be abundant with the same local vendors and high quality products you love, but in a new vibrant setting. We are thrilled to put down roots and look forward to what the future holds through our partnership with the Idaho Botanical Garden, with an annual April - December season in our new home. Join us for our grand opening of the new space on Saturday, November 7th!
Why Roots Matter
The Boise Farmers Market historically has had to renew temporary leases, constantly renegotiating terms, resulting in unpredictable changes and limiting what the market is able to build upon and accomplish. With this new collaboration to build long-term roots, the market will have additional open space and freedom in how we conduct market operations. This allows BFM the chance to grow our programs and expand community opportunities for accessing the market more so than has ever been possible before.
Having a permanent home means our farmers will have the opportunity to continue to extend the growing season and sell year-around. It also gives us the space to expand the Boise Farmers Mobile Market so we can serve more of our neighbors who are food insecure. Having a permanent home lets us begin to plan long-term for facility enhancements that will add value to vendor products, such as a large walk-in cooler, dry storage and a certified kitchen for minimal processing. The partnership with Idaho Botanical Garden will allow for many new opportunities that will enhance our ability to serve our community.
MOST IMPORTANTLY, IT MEANS WE CAN EXPAND AVAILABILITY OF HEALTHY AND DELICIOUS LOCALLY GROWN FOOD, RASIED IN ENVIRONMENTALLY PROGRESSIVE WAYS THAT ARE ECONOMICALLY SUSTAINABLE.
Support the Expansion campaign
The Boise Farmers Market is working to be a vibrant, year-round destination that will expand food access, support local growers, and build lasting connections between our urban and agricultural communities. Community grows stronger when we grow together. Your support of the Garden’s Expansion Campaign ensures a permanent home for the Boise Farmers Market and a vibrant future for local food in Boise.
Learn more about the Community Grows Here expansion campaign and support our collaboration with Idaho Botanical Garden for growing the future of the garden.
Frequently asked questions
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The Boise Mobile Market and our pre-order Drive Thru Market currently serve the majority of Boise neighbors. The Boise Farmers Market strategic plan includes exploring a satellite market(s). Since we offer multiple ways to access our Market, both on Saturday and during the week, future plans would be beyond 2027.
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The Boise Farmers Market continues to offer free delivery in our pre-order Drive Thru Market. These orders are placed Tuesday – Wednesday for pick-up or delivery on Saturday. The Boise Mobile Market, exclusively featuring BFM vendors, will continue as well. Run in partnership with City of Good, from June – September, the Boise Mobile Market makes 16 total stops Mondays – Thursday at various locations throughout Boise.
Additionally, our sister organization, West Bench Farmers Market, includes many Boise Farmers Market vendors and has our full support and partnership. It is open June – September on Thursday evenings.
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The Boise Farmers Market will have a presence nearly year-round in 2027. We will have Pop-Up Markets in February and March, our Drive Thru and Outdoor Walk Thru Market in April through October, and our Winter Market November and December.
We continue to help and support the Idaho Botanical Garden and their efforts to fundraise for a permanent indoor facility. This will make a one-location, year-round market most viable.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Erin Anderson first approached BFM with the idea to be housed at IBG as they moved forward on their strategic and master plans to expand. After further reviewing other options and attempting to stay in the same location, the Board confirmed BFM’s commitment to maximize our interests and permanency at Idaho Botanical Garden.
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The Boise Farmers Market will continue to run its “General Store” on Saturdays during the Outdoor Walk Thru Market. This currently includes items not raised by our farmers, ranchers, and makers and/or items which help shoppers have a well-rounded grocery experience. We offer Idaho wild rice, asparagus, dates, cranberries, tote bags, and other merchandise. We continue to expand those offerings.
A year-round, general storefront is our goal. This will occur beyond 2027.
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In the simplest terms, Boise’s growth has made it increasingly difficult to maintain large open-space parking lots in or near downtown. From permitting to leases, permissions, and even basic logistics of traffic/trash/bathrooms, we could not take up roots downtown.
The most significant factor in selecting our partnership with IBG is the stability and permanency it offers, coupled with a strong alignment of values. We did attempt to stay at our at our current site but could not be guaranteed any longevity.
BACKGROUND:
In 2017, the Board began looking for permanent locations to purchase or lease long-term throughout Boise. Options were limited, cost prohibitive, and were not in the best interest of our member vendors, or even our shoppers. Open space with ample parking and viable infrastructure is simply non-existent in Boise. BFM has moved, or adapted significantly, four times in thirteen years. Not to mention the Winter Market which has experienced at least six different locations in as many years. Every move takes a financial toll on our organization as well as an exhaustive toll on our shoppers, vendors, and staff trying to navigate and communicate changes.
During the Covid-19 pandemic Erin Anderson first approached BFM with the idea to be housed at IBG as they moved forward on their strategic and master plans to expand. After further reviewing other options and attempting to stay where we were, even through 2024, the Board confirmed our commitment to move and maximize our interests and permanency at IBG.