Frequently Asked Questions

When is the Saturday market open?

Year-round, from 9am-1pm. Summer hours in July and August are from 9am-12pm. We communicate Market closings through social media and our community newsletter.

What is the address?

the Bridge Street Plaza, 200 E. Bridge Street, 76704

HOW DOES THE WDFM DEFINE LOCAL?

According to the Farmers Market Permit Ordinance, local includes vendors within 150 miles of Waco.

WHY run A YEAR-ROUND MARKET?

While the traditional farmers market season is May to October, we Texans can grow produce well all year - even without utilizing many season extension techniques. If we lived up north, a typical market season would be fine - but in Texas, those months include our harshest season - the scorching summer months when most of our crops stop producing. Even though it's cold and windy (and sometimes snows), we continue to grow lettuce and carrots and onions and pasture our cattle and goats.

Where do I park?

Street parking is widely available (and free) in the neighborhood surrounding Market. Please be mindful of neighboring businesses and only park with our neighbors if you are shopping there, recycling metal, or attending Sunday service. We hope that our customers take the opportunity to park and explore businesses along the Elm Avenue corridor - including Bikesmith Waco, Brotherwell Brewing, Street Dog Cafe, Marilyn’s Gift Gallery, Revival Eastside Eatery, and the East Waco Library. (View: suggested parking spots.) If you are visiting Waco and staying at a neighboring hotel (Cambria, Even, Holiday Inn Express Downtown, Hilton, Courtyard Marriott), we highly suggest walking to Market!

Will there be ADA accessible parking? 

We are working with Mobilize Waco to develop creative solutions for ADA accessibility. To start, we encourage customers with limited mobility, elderly patrons, expectant parents, and families with young children to park along Bridge Street, between Myrtle and Mann Streets. We appreciate feedback on the spaces provided. 

Can I walk from downtown?

Yes! The Suspension Bridge safely connects the two sides of the river, including a protected pedestrian crosswalk on MLK. Wacoans are encouraged to park on the downtown side of the river and walk the 3 blocks to the Bridge Street Plaza or enjoy a bike ride along the river before heading to Market. According to the Waco Metropolitan Planning Organization, 24% of all car trips in Waco are less than a mile in distance. We see our new location as an opportunity to encourage more movement for our Waco community - one block at a time. (View: suggested pedestrian parking.)

WHAT FORMS OF PAYMENT CAN I USE?

WDFM accepts cash, credit/debit cards, and EBT (SNAP or food stamp) cards. We also operate a token system at our Welcome Booth where you can swipe your card and use tokens with our vendors who don't accept cards. If bringing cash, please be considerate and bring small change (20's and smaller), since we are operating as a collaboration of small business and may not have the cash on hand to change a $100 bill (unless you are buying $100-worth of produce or pastured meat, of course).

Can I use my food stamps at the Market ?

Yes! SNAP, Double Up Food Bucks, and the WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program will all continue at the Bridge Street Plaza location. Visit our website for more information about WDFM’s Food Access Programs. 

are there places to sit and eat?

Yes! COW Parks and Recreation has provided picnic tables at the Plaza so customers don’t need to sit on broken down curbs in the Courthouse Parking lot to eat their food. We also encourage customers to bring picnic blankets and camp chairs for enjoying entertainment at the Plaza.

is there be shade?

Market staff is talking with Parks and Recreation about a long term solution for shade structures at the Plaza. We are grateful for the opportunity to make infrastructure improvements to the Plaza that we were not able to fix in the Courthouse location.

Is the Bridge Street Plaza family-Friendly?

We believe the Plaza lawn provides a safer location for our children and pets to explore than busy downtown intersections surrounding the Courthouse parking lot. Bollards will be in place during Market hours, preventing vehicles from driving the Market space. The City of Waco has invested in the safety and infrastructure of the Bridge Street Plaza, along with improving sidewalks, roads and lighting along the Elm Avenue corridor.

is the market tourist-friendly?

The Bridge Street Plaza neighbors three hotels in East Waco (Cambria, Even Hotel, and Holiday Inn Express) and is across the river from two more hotels (Hilton and Courtyard Marriott). Tourists will be able to walk out the door of their hotel and access the Market before exploring Waco’s other highlights.

Can I take my dog/cat/monkey?

Yes. Please keep all pets on a leash and clean up after them. The Bridge Street Plaza has a large grassy lawn as well as a doggie clean up station, much better for pet paws than the Courthouse parking lot.

Are there be indoor bathroom facilities?

WDFM provides portapotties and handwashing stations on Market days.

CAN I VOLUNTEER AT THE WDFM?

Please register to volunteer through the POINT app. Each week we need help from folks staffing the WDFM Market Welcome Booth, cleaning the grounds of trash and recyclables, helping customers navigate the Market, assisting with parking, and helping vendors.

HOW CAN I BECOME A VENDOR FOR THE WDFM?

Check out our Become A Vendor tab on the main page of the website, and read through all basic qualifications for becoming a vendor at Market. If you have questions or concerns prior to ordering an application, feel free to email the Market Manager (Rachel@WacoDowntownFarmersMarket.org). We are more than happy to chat with you - during the week or at Market - and want to make sure you are comfortable with regulations and procedures before you join.

I AM A PHOTOGRAPHER/SOAP MAKER/KNITTER/EMBROIDERER/POTTER - CAN I SELL AT THE WDFM?

According to the City of Waco’s Farmers Market Permit Ordinance, the WDFM must keep an 80/20 balance of agricultural producers (meat, cheese, vegetable/honey/wine/etc.) to artisan goods (non-agricultural products). Review the Become a Vendor tab and reach out to the Market Manager (Rachel@WacoDowntownFarmersMarket.org) with questions.

I WORK FOR A COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION AND WOULD REALLY LIKE TO HAVE A BOOTH AT THE WDFM - HOW DOES THIS WORK?

Great! Each week we hope to feature a great Waco community organization at our Community Booth. Please review our Community Booth Guidelines and reach out to the Market Manager (Rachel@WacoDowntownFarmersMarket.org). We are unable to consider religious or political organizations, and do not allow organizations to sell products.