The Bentonville Farmers Market has seen tremendous growth over the last 10 years, with sales surpassing $3 million in 2025. That momentum has led to national recognition, including being named one of the Best Farmers Markets in the country by USA Today as part of its “10BEST” Readers Choice Awards. The program highlights the “best of the best” in travel and lifestyle categories, with winners selected by public vote. Earning a No. 4 spot in the Top 10 reflects the strength of the market’s vendors and the community that supports them.
In a region full of farmers' markets, it would be easy to get lost in the shuffle—but one Saturday in Bentonville makes it clear why this one stands out.
Take the first market of the 2026 season on April 11. It marked the debut of the A Street Promenade, expanding the market’s footprint from the area in front of the Compton Hotel all the way down to Lawrence Plaza. Vendors also wrapped around the Bentonville Square and extended along NE Second Street to NW A Street. The expanded layout not only allows for a wider variety of vendors—spanning food, produce, art, and crafts—but also creates space for the thousands of visitors who attend each week. On average, between 3,500 and 5,000 people stroll the market on Saturdays, with even larger crowds on peak weekends. That’s a significant portion of the city’s population, along with visitors drawn to Bentonville’s continued growth and its reputation as a mountain biking destination.
But attracting visitors is only part of the equation—keeping them coming back is what truly defines the market. And that comes down to the quality of products and the people behind them. What many might assume is just a place for produce quickly becomes something more. From locally raised meats and fresh-baked bread to artisan cheeses (and cheese dip), handmade goods, and even clothing, the market offers some of the highest-quality products you’ll find anywhere.
Some vendors have become staples year after year, including McGarrah Farms, Sylvan Artisan Bread, and R-Family Farms. While picking up my go-to chips and salsa from Mamma Z Tortilla Tamale Factory, I spoke with owner Rosalba, who shared her excitement for the new season. “Every year, I have a fellow vendor where on the first market of the season she comes over and we hug,” she said. It’s a simple tradition, but one that speaks to the camaraderie and sense of community that define the market.
The Bentonville Farmers Market will enter its 50th season in 2027—a milestone for a market deeply rooted in tradition and seasonality. Whether you’re a longtime local or visiting for the first time, it’s the perfect starting point for a Saturday downtown. Grab a coffee, explore the vendor booths, and spend the rest of your morning shopping, dining, and discovering everything the square has to offer.
These mornings in Bentonville have become something special—and now, the rest of the country is taking notice.
