With the popularity of local and organic foods increasing country-wide, farmers markets have started popping up across New Hampshire like so many wild berry patches. Now, instead of getting the goods second-hand at grocery stores, you can get it straight from the source—apples sold by the people who grew and picked them, milk and cheeses from the dairy farmers who cared for the cows, and maple syrup from the very guy who tapped the trees.

Here are some of the biggest and best markets around the state:

Amherst Farmers Market

Amherst Village Green

603/673-9489

Thurs. 3-6pm June–Oct.

www.amherstmarket.com

Find organic produce, cut flowers, wine, seafood, milk, cheese, baked goods, preserves, and soaps.

Bedford Farmers Market

Rte. 101, Wallace Rd. to Benedictine Park

603/749-6410

Tues. afternoon June–Oct.

Stock up on organic fruits (the berry selection is epic) and vegetables, wine, venison, baked goods, and cheese.

Claremont Farmers Market

Broad Street Park

603/542-4321

Thurs. late afternoon June–Sept.

Along with plenty of children’s activities (from face painting to live entertainment), the market offers produce, fresh bread, baked goods, eggs, flowers, fudge, honey, jams, maple syrup, meats, seed, soaps, plus hand-crafted clothing and quilts.

Franklin Community Farmers Market

206 Central St.

603/648-6586

Tues. afternoon late July–Sept.

Find produce, naturally raised meats, honey, maple syrup, jellies, ice cream, and baked goods.

Laconia Farmers Market

Beacon Street East, upper parking lot

603/267-6522

Sat. morning late June–Oct.

Farmers and their families sell fresh fruits and vegetables, baked goods, flowers, crafts, maple syrup, honey, goat cheese, milk, and eggs.

Lancaster Farmers Market

Centennial Park

603/788-3391

Sat. morning June–Oct.

Find a wide range of goat cheeses, eggs, and pies, plus homemade pestos, jams, maple syrup, free-range chickens, honey, and cider.

Peterborough Farmers Market

Depot Square Park

603/878-6124

Wed. afternoon May–Oct.

Choose from bushels of produce, bouquets, eggs, lamb, tarts and cakes, pickles, preserves, honey, maple syrup, goat cheese, jewelry, soap, candles, hand-knit clothing, and poultry (including goose and duck).

For more information on these and other farmers markets, contact the New Hampshire Farmers’ Market Association (603/673-5792, www.nhfma.org).