Downtown 3rd Farmers Market Gets Fresh

by Julie Kasperson

I visited this Farmers Market on Friday, 4/20. Lots of people there when I arrived in the early afternoon. It took me a while to find it, not knowing that it was next to the Mob Museum in the old RTC bus station. It’s on the corner of Stewart and Casino Center. The space was donated by Mayor Carolyn Goodman, and it’s very atmospheric, being that it’s a train station from the 1920’s with lots of copper and brick on the outside, and marble counters on the inside. They are calling this area the “new metropolitan center of Las Vegas.”

Good to know, especially in the heat, that this will be held inside. I'm a California native, so I'm used to bountiful produce at farmer's markets. I've lived in Vegas for eight years and have yearned for more selection at what passes for farmers markets here. Now, with the revival of the Downtown area and more markets springing up around town, this is a welcome addition to the mix.

I bought some fresh raw spinach from Quail Hollow, roasted red beet hummus, garlic hummus, and fresh baked pita chips from 86 Eats Hummus. There are other vendors selling baked goods, breads, fresh pasta, as well as in-house businesses selling tamales and salads. There are also craft vendors selling jewelry, soaps, and clothing. They have chef demonstrations that are held at 11 a.m.

Bring your cash, your appetite, and bags to hold all your goodies! When I left, I went outside where the food trucks congregate and bought my favorite mango smoothie from Grouchy John's. I was told by a vendor that they might eventually expand this market, which is now held only on Fridays, from 9:00 a.m. to 2 p.m., to include Saturdays and Sundays. They really should! For more information, check out www.downtown3rd.com.

Photos (click photos for larger image)

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All photo credits: Julie Kasperson,

© 2012 Julie Kasperson - All rights reserved.

-VegasJules ( Julie Kasperson ) can be contacted through her facebook page.

The Las Vegas Farmers' Market

Out here in the desert oasis of Las Vegas, we depend on most goods being shipped in via truck. It is nice to know that there is an outlet where local vendors ( Artisan's, Artists & Farmers ) can sell their wares to the public.

The following is from About Las Vegas:

"The Las Vegas Farmers' Market® began in November 1999 with 9 booths. According to the Las Vegas Farmers' Market web site, today you can find "...over 25 booths, including furniture, jewelry, arts and crafts. Over 5,000 people stop by each week."

There are two farmers' markets open now, one at Gardens Park and one at Bruce Trent Park. The farmers' market at Centennial Hills Park will open in March. Here are the directions.

The big draw at our Farmers' Markets is, of course, the fruits and vegetables. There are four categories of producers at the markets:

1. Self. Grown, organic, supplemental

2. Conventional. On your own farm or in your garden

3. Organic. Biodynamically grown


4. Conventional/supplemental. Grown on a neighboring farm, bought from other farmers, or picked by you from another farm.

Besides fruits and veggies, you'll find local fresh breads and pastries, nuts, plants and more. Local artisans and artists will be on hand with arts & crafts to sell. Here's a list of the usual participants."


Farmers' markets--a family destination!


- By Judy Hedding

Saturday January 13, 2007