OK, I will say I just moved here. Just moved from a city with a great Farmers Market, amazing I…read moremight say so I am a little bias...but this is not really a bias things, more a question. I have spent the last 25+ years going to the Minneapolis Farmers Market every weekend from April to Sept/Oct. Even on weeks that I wasn't going to be home I would come down for the people, the sounds, the smells, the fresh produce. I have this thing in my mind about Farmers Markets and supporting local businesses, local growers and buying good clean healthy products from people who do this year after year! Watching young and old, rich and poor come down to buy locally grown, seasonal products! As a trained Chef, lover of food, lover of people and crowds everything about a farmers market hits for me! I have been to a lot of famers markets in a lot of Cities and States as well, all along those lines for the most part... Now the Boise Farmers Market is very nice, lots of great vendors, good food trucks, Awesome Bagels (shout out to @Good Time Bagels) but the pricing for produce is quite honestly bizarre ! I have been here only 3 months but I find Boise overall to have a much lower cost of living to what I am used to. Restaurants, stores, coffee, alcohol...the little things I enjoy in life are much less expensive...except veggies at the Farmers Market! I would routinely pick up fresh lettuce of various types at the market for $1-2 dollars a head...Boise $7-10??? $7 dollars for a bag of lettuce, are you kidding me, $10..WTF??? $3 for a very, very small bunch of carrots...something that I would expect for $1...This is NOT the markets you would pick up your weekly need of veggies at, you couldn't afford to. $11 for a loaf of fresh bread, really...that's like double what I would pay at Whole Foods (whole paycheck as it's known). Now I get getting a fair price for your product, for your work, what you do...but it's a head of lettuce, it's a carrot...are the costs of growing that much more? That is a general question. MN is a very high tax State, especially compared to ID...not why I moved here at all, love the Boise vibe from the first time I came for work! I very much love this city, the people are so nice but the farmer market both confuses me and disappointed me all at the same time! I will come down ever weekend, I will enjoy the people, the smells, the food and coffee...especially the Bagels...but I will NOT buy lettuce which is such a shame! If you have ever eaten freshly grown lettuce compared to the stuff you get from the grocery store, everything about it is so much better. It actually has flavor, a crunch, taste...but not for $8 (using an average) that's just stupid! Where do the chefs buy fresh produce? Where do the families who want to buy local, want a healthier life for their families...where do they shop? Curious!

What a cute market! Tons of parking in the area or on the street as well as bike parking in the…read moremarket. Every one of the vendors we spoke with was friendly and the myriad of products available was great. We spit a breakfast sandwich (olive tapenade, sausage, egg, and more!) as well as a mango smoothie (tart) from one vendor, before walking through the market. We ended up buying a bottle of wine and a jar of jam for our journey home. Minus 1 star because it was a) a bit expensive and b) full of dogs even though signs say no dogs (I like them, but not everyone does - for those who don't, it would be good to enforce or at least be aware, it's not a dog free market).

I had such a disturbing experience today when I came to buy a box of peaches that truly left me…read morestunned and tarnished the reputation of the farm stand in my book. I have been coming here for a couple of years and thought that it's wonderful to have a farm stand so close to where we leave. The prices of the goods, although high to me is reasonable because I know how competitive it is out there and quite hard for small business to turn a profit. That said, I think if they can't compete with the prices then I believe they must go out of their way to be friendly and exhibit excellent customer service. I happened to passed by the store today and turned around because I saw that the box peaches are now available. I parked and picked a box of peaches from the middle rack after inquiring how much they are which was $38.99. When I brought my box to pay an older man sorting the vegetables with glasses commented that the box I picked seemed too full and asked where I picked them up. I then pointed at the row of peaches to which he replied he was surprised that I could even get the boxes out from the second shelf insinuating that I somehow put more peaches on top of the box that I picked. On closer look all the boxes are bursting with peaches. I said I'm happy to pick another box. He stormed off inside and I simply smiled and paid cash and took my box. I daresay as much as I love to support local business I don't believe I will be coming back. It's a shame really but this one experience put such a sour taste in my mouth. Maybe he was having a bad day, but surely to run a successful business you must put aside your emotion and go about being a nice person to those who pay good money so you can in turn put food in your stomach. I overlooked the dilapidated building, the endless exposure of produce to harmful chemical from cars whizzing by, the high prices but I draw the line on customer service. If you are treated kindly the prices and conditions sometimes can be overlooked. Now my eyes are opened. Guess I'm back to Whole Foods. At least they don't harass me and they are a lot nicer. Plus they have fresher fruits and vegetables and more selection.

We are recent transplants from CA. First time here for us. Located on the south side of W State 44…read morenear the Eagle Island State Park entrance. Dirt parking lot and a bit dilapidated. Good selection of produce, the young man at the register was personable, prices seem reasonable, unlike at the Eagle Farmers Market. Wish they sold fresh eggs.

Been coming here for years. Always great produce. Especially the Snake River Cantaloupe!read more

I've been coming here since the first year you opened. I have always been happy with my purchases…read moreuntil two weeks ago when I purchased a flat of strawberries. I don't think I've ever had strawberries without ANY flavor. These had less flavor than water and I ended up throwing the entire bunch out. I was there yesterday and saw new flats, that seemed to be from a different grower, although still from Mexico, I attempted to ask the older gentleman if he knew if these were any better. All I got was a surly response about how he didn't even like strawberries and how would he know? I then asked about when California berries might be available. A mumbled response of "not now" was all I got. I guess business is so great that you can treat long-time customers like crap. Nice.

Dazed am I, in the way of being impressed, by the multitude of things classically trained chef and…read morededicated farmer Christian Phernetton accomplishes. I am also confused on how to keep track of it all to purchase what my hubby and I need. For those who figure it out there are rewards in the way of accessing via The Chef's Farm wonderful local produce grown with sustainable and organic farming practices as well as, in 2020 at least, completed meals and finished food products that could be delivered to your door. PRODUCE FOR DAYS: This is the farmer Christian making it happen via his farm in Dry Creek Valley. As in the outstanding lettuces, really at the top of the list for best of our 40 years of cooking together at home, that we bought from The Chef's Farm for a couple of weeks via the Saturday morning Boise Farmers Market in Summer 2020 until Christian stopped selling via that market. But I think The Chef's Farm is set up to sell at a sometimes pop up Farmers Market in the Hyde Park neighborhood on Saturdays if one can find that outlet for this excellent produce of all kinds. For a while earlier on The Chef's Farm did a sort of CSA box too and may be doing it again (?). And in 2021 there is a subscription service for fresh microgreens for which the only downside may be they are packaged in greater quantity than can be consumed even by two devoted daily greens eaters. Still, a very good thing. Check the website to see what the plans might be for 2021 for any or all of these services. And as produce - farm aside, not only does Christian grow some of the most remarkably delicious carrots we have eaten, he creates some of the most incredibly delicious dishes with carrots as focal point...and we say this as people for whom carrots have never been a "thing" until Christian's dishes provided revelation. Which leads to the next point. MMMM...ARVELOUS FINISHED FOOD DISHES: At times it is chef Christian Phernetton at work via The Chef's Farm to create finished food dishes including complete meals ready to heat and plate and eat which we were able to order and savor in the last half of 2020. After the 2020 holiday season this service paused. If started again we will use it again as provided remarkable meals from this "Chef with Chops". Keep in mind Christian has impressive background as a chef in the DC and Bay Areas at fine restaurants in those locales and was the inaugural chef at Boise's acclaimed Camel's Crossing...where his Carrot Steak was a diner favorite and as aside I'll say his lamb cassoulet was the best dish even to now that I have been served in any Boise eatery. ( Camel's Crossing closed early in pandemic months.) You'll see my photos on this page for the great way in which The Chef's Farmmeals were delivered to homes on Fridays and Saturdays. (In Eagle where I live for a mere $7). My husband and I also appreciated that the weekly menus included options for omnivores and vegetarians alike. Also that in this service Christian remained true to the sustainability practices he embraces (we do too) and delivered the meals in reusable glass vessels which he also picked up as part of that minimal charge for delivery. It wasn't only our bodies that felt well fed by Christian's work but our consciences too. Every purchase we make reflects our values. GIFTS NO LESS: During the holiday season - and maybe at other times - The Chef's Farm website listed things like condiments and holiday boxes that one could order to give to friends and neighbors. It was a great way to delight food centric people and people who support small local food producers. We purchased these too in 2020. FIGURING IT OUT IN 2021: As we determine what is being sold by The Chef's Farm in 2021 that is in a venue and format that we can use for our home kitchen we will happily remain customers. This is an example of a business growing and creating unique and delicious things.

Affordable dinner (kit) planned and prepared remotely by a professional chef for me to heat, serve…read moreand eat in the safety of my own home? Yes!!! The meal was delicious, and the prep for me was minimal. They deliver but I chose to pick up at their pop-up tent in Hyde Park neighborhood. And, the fresh veggies are beautiful and yes, very fresh - lovely alternative to the farmer's market. Bravo! So happy to find The Chef's Farm. I will definitely be a regular.

Love this place. Usually hit it at the end of mtn bike rides on the greenbelt. A chill enough place…read moreto drink a Ruth's Lager by one's self, or to make some friends around the fire pits on the cool evenings. Tuesdays are great for a variety of foods, and Fridays seems to be music nights. Love that it's right on the greenbelt. Just makes Boise that much cooler for the walkers and bikers on the greenbelt enjoying the outdoors. Mike is as friendly an owner as I've met. Just does a great job making this place a cool hang.

Can I give this place 392 stars? I almost don't want to write this review cuz i want to keep this…read moregem to myself....butttttt Mike & Tom deserve this review. We were on a LIME scooter ride on the greenbelt, and this little set up caught our eye. We paused and discussed going over to check it out. A guy at the bar yelled to us "It's better over here! We have beer!" Come to find out this was co-owner Mike who is such a great person. We were roped in! We sat at the cool bar on the tree stump stools (this place is SO COOL!) and were immediately sold. Tom was talking about these drinks called Boozies. (my new favorite thing) I of course had to try one. They come in grapefruit or cranberry. GO FOR THE GRAPEFRUIT! And this is what I drank ALL. DAY. $7/can. Didn't even care. They brought out 2 cornhole boards and we ruled the court! Probably played 20 games and met so many cool and new people in the process. A band started up around 7, and it was a great vibe. other notes - - only 2 portapotties, but were relatively clean. - Boozies, and 3 beers from Western Collective. The IPA was good! - food trucks & live music! - amazing view of the river - big umbrellas for shade / if that's your thing. Mike and Tom deserve major high fives for this rad place. What might look like a gravel lot with some old spools & tree stumps - officially kicked off my 2019 summer. Planning on coming back every time I'm in town! Thank you for the memories!

The produce is straight from local farms. So delicious. The blueberries are plump, sweet and…read moredelicious! The bread and coffee are local, too; and amazing.

Great place for local produce,meats, honey and a variety of just about anything. Homemade pies,…read morehand crafted items, great family feel.

As someone who is ALWAYS working Saturdays I couldn't be more grateful for the opportunity to still…read moreenjoy a market on one of my free evening!! The live music, local venders, and awesome give-aways!! It's hard to say which is a favorite!!

If you're looking for something fun to do on a Monday night, check out the Meridian Monday Night…read moreMarket. We visited the first one on June 2. They will be running every Monday night through October 6, from 4 PM to 9 PM at Storey Park (205 E. Franklin Rd.). The majority of the vendors are food trucks, and food vendors, many of who were new to me. I've included pictures of the few non-food vendors towards the end of the post. I was impressed by how many vendors there were, as well as the turnout. It made for a nice evening in the park.

Introduced to Richardson Family Farms' remarkably good organic strawberries as available in 2 lb…read more flats in early September at the Boise Co Op by friend Carl Y and his wife, my husband and I found these fragrant, perfectly ripe, super delicious gems to be the best strawberries of the season. That they were local and organic and harvested so late in the summer intrigued us enough to seek out Richardson's in Emmett and pick our own. WORKING MEDITATION There is a sort of meditation involved in being in a place like this doing the work of picking berries. The only sounds were the wind rustling plants, the click of grasshopper wings in flight, the buzz of yellow jackets seeking out the fruit over-ripe and the upbeat voice of brother talking to sister in the next field as they picked berries for the market. Add in the aroma of the berries as warmed by the sun, it was a pretty sweet experience all around. THE DRILL The drill here to pick is pretty informal. When they see your car pull in, one of the folks who work on the farm (we met both the owner and his son) will ask if you're there to pick, give you a box for the berries and point you in the direction of the plants with the most ripe fruit. The owner even gave my hubby a strawberry picking tutorial, how to recognize the perfectly ripe ones from those that seem ready but aren't quite yet. When you're done, they'll weigh your boxes and tell you what a ridiculously little amount of money is owed. WEEDING FOR BERRIES The owner told us for folks who want fresh berries but who feel they cannot afford to buy them, he is happy to trade their work to help weed the rows for berries in return. Nice barter system it seemed to us. Work for food. THANKS TO FARMERS My strawberry picking days are in the rear view mirror due to limits introduced by MS but I had a lot of experience in my youth and enjoyed supervising my hubby's first time efforts! He thought it was fun for an agricultural excursion day and enjoyed every minute of his couple of hours. But he also recognized it would be back breaking to pick berries for a living. We both took a moment to tell the Richardson Farm family members who were doing that work, this is truly a family operation in the fields as the owner has more than a dozen children,, how much we value being able to simply swing by the Co Op to buy their fine berries because of their work. It was a verbal hug of America's family farmers of whom we think good thoughts all the time. CO-OP AVAILABILITY If you're planning on buying via the Co Op the berries should be available there at times into October. The folks we met at the farm went out of their way to say how much they appreciated having the Co Op as their partner. THIS N THAT: 1) PRICE: If you want a true appreciation for what a fair price is on these flats of berries at the Co Op, venture out and pick for a couple of hours and consider the cost to the farmer to organically grow them, pick them, package them and transport them to market. Then consider the cost of the Co Op to put them up for sale. 2 lb. flats at Co Op are $7.95, so just under $4.00 / pound. If you compare to the most commonly available CA Grower (Driscoll) for organic berries pound for pound, these locals are a lower cost. If you pick your own at the farm, they cost a mere $1.50 / pound. Factor in the cost of travel to get to Emmett and the opportunity cost for your time, that Co Op price is a bargain too! 2) ACCESSIBILITY: Hard packed, gravel covered pathway. Neither porta-pot is accessible. 3) OTHER FRUITS AND VEGGIES: Sometimes available. Yesterday they included cherry tomatoes, Armenian cucumbers and Italian prune plums. 4) CONTACT INFO & GETTING THERE: If you plan to venture out, the farm is a little tough to find. The best way to zero in is via their website linked here. http://idahoberry.wordpress.com/ 5) THE OWNER: Worth saying he is an eccentric type of man. He has run for Governor at least once and his personal, legal name is Right to Life. You are not going to meet Old MacDonald if you visit the farm.