Rialto Farmers Market: A Local’s Guide to Hours, EBT, and What to Know

by Amanda Zito

When is the Rialto Farmers Market?

The Rialto Certified Farmers Market is held every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 290 W. Rialto Avenue in Rialto. It runs year-round and accepts SNAP/EBT.

If you live in Rialto, there’s a good chance you’ve driven past it or thought about stopping by but never made it over.

It’s a smaller neighborhood farmers market, which is actually part of what makes it convenient. You don’t need to turn it into an all-day trip. You can stop by, pick up fresh produce, eggs, or a few other local items, and keep going with your day.

Here’s what to know before you visit.

Rialto Farmers Market Hours and Location

Day	Every Wednesday
Hours	10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Address	290 W. Rialto Avenue, Rialto, CA 92376
Season	Year-round
Payments	Varies by vendor; SNAP/EBT accepted
Questions	Rialto City Clerk’s Office: (909) 820-2519

One thing to know if it’s your first visit: the market sets up behind the building at this address, not directly along Rialto Avenue.

The market is operated by the City of Rialto through its Healthy Rialto program.

It is also a certified farmers market. In simple terms, that means the produce sold by certified growers comes directly from the farmers who grew it.

You can learn more about how certified farmers markets work through the California Department of Food and Agriculture.

What Can You Find at the Rialto Farmers Market?

Depending on the week and what is in season, you may find:

Fresh fruits and vegetables
Eggs
Local honey
Baked goods
Nuts
Fresh juice
Other seasonal items

It helps to know what kind of market this is before you go.

This is more of a local neighborhood market than a large weekend farmers market with dozens of vendors, entertainment, and food stands.

You can usually walk through it fairly quickly.

And for many people, that’s a good thing.

If you want somewhere you can stop once a week for fresh produce without driving farther into the Inland Empire, this can be an easy option.

How Do You Pay?

Payment methods can vary from one vendor to another. Some vendors may accept cards, while others may prefer cash.

I would bring a little cash, especially small bills, just in case.

Using EBT at the Rialto Farmers Market

The market accepts SNAP/EBT.

Instead of using your EBT card separately at every vendor, start by visiting the market staff table.

You can use your EBT card to receive market tokens, then use those tokens with participating vendors.

The market has also participated in Market Match, a program that can help stretch CalFresh dollars when buying fresh fruits and vegetables.

Programs and matching amounts can change, so ask the market staff what is available when you arrive.

If you are not currently enrolled in CalFresh but want to see if you qualify, you can visit GetCalFresh.org.

Making a Wednesday Farmers Market Fit Your Schedule

The hardest part for many people is probably the schedule.

Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. isn’t convenient for everyone.

But there are a few ways to make it work.

Stop by during lunch.
If you work near downtown Rialto, you may be able to make a quick trip during your lunch break.

Turn it into a weekly errand.
If you work from home, have a weekday off, or have a flexible schedule, add it to your normal Wednesday errands.

Shop with a neighbor or family member.
If one person has a more flexible schedule, you can always take turns picking up produce for each other.

Sometimes the easiest way to use a local market is simply making it part of your normal routine.

A Few Tips Before You Go

Go earlier if you can.

At smaller farmers markets, popular items can sell out before closing. If you are looking for something specific, arriving earlier gives you a better chance of finding it.

Bring your own bags.

A couple of reusable bags make carrying fruits, vegetables, eggs, and other items much easier.

Be ready for the summer heat.

Rialto summers get hot, and this market runs during the middle of the day. Bring water and try not to leave fresh produce sitting in a hot car while you finish other errands.

Check the schedule around holidays.

If a holiday falls on or near a Wednesday, it’s worth calling the City Clerk’s Office before making the trip.

Ask the farmers what is good that week.

This is one of my favorite parts of shopping at a farmers market.

Ask what just came into season, what tastes best right now, or what will be available in the next few weeks.

You may end up trying something you normally wouldn’t pick up at the grocery store.

Can’t Make It on Wednesday?

If the Rialto schedule doesn’t work for you, there are other farmers markets around the Inland Empire.

Nearby options have included:

Arrowhead Regional Medical Center Farmers Market in Colton
Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
400 N. Pepper Avenue

San Bernardino Certified Farmers Market
Tuesdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Court Street Square

Fontana Farmers Market
Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Jessie Turner Health & Fitness Community Center

If you need a weekend option, Fontana may be one of the more convenient choices from Rialto.

Farmers market schedules can change, so check the San Bernardino County Environmental Health events calendar before heading out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a weekend farmers market in Rialto?

The Rialto Farmers Market is held on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. If you need a weekend market, Fontana has offered a Sunday farmers market nearby.

Does the Rialto Farmers Market accept EBT?

Yes. You can use your EBT card at the market staff table to receive tokens that can be used with participating vendors.

You can also ask whether Market Match is currently available to help stretch your CalFresh dollars when buying fruits and vegetables.

Is the Rialto Farmers Market open during winter?

The market operates year-round. Around holidays, I would still call the City Clerk’s Office at (909) 820-2519 to confirm the schedule before going.

Living Local in Rialto

One of the things I like about writing these local guides is showing people what’s actually available in their own community.

Sometimes it’s a restaurant you haven’t tried yet. Sometimes it’s a local event. And sometimes it’s something as simple as a Wednesday farmers market you’ve driven past a hundred times.

I work with buyers and sellers throughout Rialto and the Inland Empire, so I spend a lot of time paying attention to what makes each neighborhood and community different.

And if you’re wondering what homes are selling for in your part of Rialto, or you’re starting to think about buying or selling, I’m always happy to help you look at the numbers and talk through your options.

No pressure. Just useful information so you can decide what makes sense for you.

Amanda Zito, REALTOR®
Real Brokerage
CA DRE #01740063 | TX TREC #840088
949-484-9486 | SoldByZito.com