Boise Farmers Market opens winter season at Botanical Garden
The market shifts to a permanent site on Old Penitentiary Road, ending years of temporary winter locations.
By Samantha Reed ·
Boise shoppers can buy local goods at a fixed location this winter. The Boise Farmers Market moves to the Idaho Botanical Garden on Saturday, Nov. 7. This ends a period where the winter market shifted between different sites each year. The new home allows the market to operate from April through December.
More than 70 vendors will participate in the 2026 Winter Market. A large covered area hosts over 40 of these vendors. Additional sellers will occupy outdoor spaces near the garden. The market opens at 9 a.m. at 2355 Old Penitentiary Road. Shoppers can find seasonal produce, meats, cheese, breads, and other local items.
Amber Beierle, executive director of the Boise Farmers Market, described the move as a step toward stability. The organization previously operated its regular April through October season at Shoreline Drive since 2019. Winter operations moved to various temporary spots. Beierle said the new location removes the need to relocate frequently or deal with surrounding construction.
“Now, we don't have to move around, be afraid that things will move around us, not a ton of construction around us,” Beierle said. “We're finally home, home.” The permanent site provides a consistent backdrop for the community to gather for local food.
Local artist Bobby Gaytan is helping decorate the new space. He created a mural that reflects the market's offerings. Gaytan said he has visited the market with his family for years and wanted to incorporate those elements into the artwork. The mural depicts food moving from farms to the market and onto tables.
Beierle noted that the mural helps create a sense of place. It tells the story of local food distribution visually. The garden and the market are also planning a permanent indoor home as part of a larger expansion. Funding for that project is currently being sought, but no construction timeline is set yet.
The winter season marks the first full run of the market in this new location. Vendors are set up and ready for the opening. The market will continue to serve Boise residents with locally produced goods until the end of the year.
