El Mercadito de Centro

El Mercadito de Centro gives Madison residents a direct connection to the farms and producers of Wisconsin, with fresh goods available each market day.

Visitors can plan their trip around market hours of Tue: 9:00 AM-1:00 PM, Jun 7 - Oct 25. Seasonal produce availability changes as the weeks progress.

Among the goods you may find at El Mercadito de Centro are Vegetables and Fruits, along with other locally produced items that change weekly.

Shopping at a farmers market like El Mercadito de Centro is a different experience from buying groceries at a chain store. Vendors at El Mercadito de Centro are not middlemen — they are the farmers, bakers, cheesemakers, and food artisans who produced what they are selling. That directness creates a quality and freshness that supply-chain grocery products rarely match.

The seasonal nature of a farmers market is one of its most distinctive features. El Mercadito de Centro carries what Madison-area farms are currently harvesting, which means the selection is always an honest reflection of what is growing well in the region right now. Early-season markets tend to be heavy on greens and transplants; midsummer is the peak of variety; fall transitions to roots, alliums, winter squash, and preserves. Regular shoppers come to understand this rhythm and plan their cooking around it.

Every vendor at El Mercadito de Centro is there because they chose to sell directly to consumers — which generally means they take more pride in what they bring to market. Asking questions about how something was grown, what is coming next week, or how to cook something unfamiliar is not just welcomed at most farmers markets; it is part of the culture.

Every purchase at El Mercadito de Centro supports a local grower or food maker and keeps money circulating within the Madison regional economy.

Contact El Mercadito de Centro directly to learn about accepted payment methods, including whether SNAP/EBT benefits are accepted.