The Farm Market: A Door County Favorite

With all the orchards in Door County, one would have to assume that we have many farm markets to offer.

Whether you are looking for the freshest fruits and veggies or a specific pie filling that your cousin told you about, they seem to have it all. My family was visiting and I decided to join them as they toured some of the farm markets along hwy 42. We stopped at Wood Orchard Farm Market in Egg Harbor to find that “amazing pie filling”.

Growing up in Door County, I never really saw the appeal of these little shops that have become a staple of our economy. This was my first time in one and I didn’t realize that I was with seasoned farm market veterans. As we walked in to Wood Orchard Market in Egg Harbor, I was amazed at the amount of samples! They had cherry salsa, cherry mustard, wine mustard, everything under the sun. I had never seen cherries being used in so many different types of food.  There were rows of samples all over the store. There were candies, salsas, mustards, cider, dips, donuts, and so much more.  The walls were decorated with tons of pictures and crafts from all over.

After Wood Orchard, we made a stop at Orchard Country Winery & Market just south of Fish Creek. This place was more focused on wine so there weren’t as many samples. We did purchase some local smoked fish and some cherry juice.

Koepsel’s Farm Market lies on Hwy 57 between Baileys Harbor and Sister Bay. Koepsel’s opened in 1958, which makes it the oldest farm market in Door County. They still use some of the original recipes from when they first opened! Walls were lined with jams & jellies and there was an entire section of antiques.

Seaquist Orchards in Sister Bay seems to be the god father of all farm markets. The Seaquist family owns almost 700 acres throughout the county and has the market to prove it. A hay bale maze keeps kids of all ages occupied while adults walk thru the aisles tasting everything  that Seaquist’s has to offer. If there is anything fruit related in Door County, you can find it here.  Located just north of Sister Bay, this market seems to bring the most tourists every year and is well known throughout the county.