Food & DrinkFeature

Staff Picks From The Red River Market Team

By Amanda Frost, Marketing Coordinator, Folkways Simone Wai Co-Founder & Creative Director What is your favorite food at the market and why? Summer Noodle Salad from Saigon Kuisine. The cold noodle salad is so fresh and delicious on a hot market day. They always give you a big bowl, and it fills me up for

Collage of five market picks: a ceramic mug, noodle salad, broth noodle soup, a round loaf of bread, and a succulent

By Amanda Frost, Marketing Coordinator, Folkways

Simone Wai

Co-Founder & Creative Director

Smiling young woman in cream ribbed polo top and rust-orange belted trousers

What is your favorite food at the market and why?

Vietnamese noodle salad with shredded carrots, greens, and fried items in a takeout container

Summer Noodle Salad from Saigon Kuisine. The cold noodle salad is so fresh and delicious on a hot market day. They always give you a big bowl, and it fills me up for a busy market day

Favorite drink at the market and why?

Three colorful bottled juices with Juice Box brand labels

Liquid Sunshine fresh fresh-pressed juice from Juice Box Fargo. I love the ginger in this juice. It’s the perfect combination of sweet and spicy.

Who are your top three favorite vendors at the market and why?

Glass jar of dill sauerkraut with a green label reading 'Farmented

Farmented Foods—their dill sauerkraut is awesome.

Packaged cuts of raw meat stacked on refrigerator shelves

Prairie Soul Meats—I love their grass-fed beef, and don’t miss their cured beef sticks!

Cluster of fresh oyster mushrooms with gray-brown caps

Midheaven Garden has a great selection of mushrooms!

What is a new vendor you are looking forward to?

Three dark glass bottles with labels tied with twine on a market table

Hanson’s Vanilla Co.I am very excited to make some desserts or iced coffees with their homemade Madagascar Vanilla Bean Paste.

Every Saturday from summer through fall, Broadway Square in downtown Fargo transforms into a vibrant hub of food, culture, and community—thanks to the hard work and creative energy of the Folkways team behind the Red River Market. These are the folks who curate the vendor lineup, set the stage for live music, wrangle logistics, and keep the energy buzzing week after week.

But when they’re not organizing behind the scenes, they’re just like the rest of us: strolling the stalls, grabbing a bite, sipping something refreshing, and stocking up on favorites. We asked some of the team to share their go-to eats, drinks, and vendors at the market, plus what new booths they’re excited about this season.

Whether you’re a longtime market-goer or a first-timer, let these insider picks inspire your next Saturday visit.

Amanda Frost

Marketing Coordinator

Smiling woman in a denim jacket and purple turtleneck against a beige background

What is your favorite food at the market and why?

Several golden-brown baked croissants on a white plate

Lately, I’ve been on a major croissant kick, especially the chocolate ones from Jen’s Bakery. They’re light, fluffy, and make the perfect morning snack, easy to enjoy while strolling around and browsing the other vendors.

Favorite drink at the market and why?

Three bottles of red sauce nestled in a straw-lined wooden crate

The kombucha from Boomboom LLC is my favorite drink—not only is it delicious and good for my gut, but it’s also locally made with care. The owner is incredibly health-conscious in her brewing process, which makes me appreciate it even more.

Who are your top three favorite vendors at the market and why?

Namaste Kitchen—as a big curry fan, I’m always drawn to Namaste Kitchen. Their dishes are full of rich, traditional Indian flavors, and their curry tacos have become one of my favorite lunches at the market.

Nit’s Spring Rolls are like candy for me, and they always serve their food with a warm smile, which makes the experience even more enjoyable.

I love stopping by Deb’s Corner Foods and Catering. Her food is made with care and has that comforting, homemade feel. I also really appreciate the variety of vegan options and how reasonably priced everything is. It’s a great spot for a delicious and affordable lunch.

What is a new vendor you are looking forward to?

Dark beer in a stemmed glass beside Junkyard Brewing Company signage and colorful cans

I’m a big Junkyard Brewing fan, so I’m really excited to see them join the market this year! I’m especially hoping Peanut Butter Bandit makes an appearance; it’s my all-time favorite from them. It’s incredibly creamy with rich, deep peanut butter flavor that’s just unbeatable.

Brenna Malard

Events Coordinator

Young woman with long wavy brown ombre hair wearing a cream knit sweater against a beige background

What is your favorite food at the market and why?

Golden fried spring rolls in a takeout box beside a small bottle of hot sauce

My favorite food at the RRM has to be either Saigon Kuisine’s wontons or Nit’s Spring Rolls chicken rolls. They are both delicious and a great Saturday snack.

Favorite drink at the market and why?

Hand holding a large iced pink-orange drink in a clear plastic cup with a green logo

Hands down it has to be Namaste Kitchen’s strawberry lemonade. It is so refreshing on a hot market day.

Who are your top three favorite vendors at the market and why?

Two saucy tacos with corn and toppings in a takeout container Bowl of noodle salad with colorful toppings and a dipping sauce at an outdoor market Golden fried tater tots on a skewer held above a tray Blue plate of saucy fried chicken with rice and a Sapporo bottle in background Wooden boat-shaped trays of colorful toppings arranged on a dark buffet table

Namaste Kitchen, Nit’s Spring Rolls, and Saigon Kuisine are my staples for a market day.

I also really love Little Brother when I want a more filling meal, and Windsor Waffles for a sweet treat!

What is a new vendor you are looking forward to?

This is tough because we have so many new food vendors! It’s a tie between our new crepe vendor Oh Crepe! or WingKing.

Erica Kale

Marketing Manager

Smiling woman with curly red hair and round glasses wearing a sleeveless sage green top

What is your favorite food at the market and why?

Crispy fried chicken strips over rice in a blue bowl with garnish

Little Brother is one of my Downtown favorites!

Favorite drink at the market and why?

Hand with pink floral nails holding an iced coffee in a branded cup

Namaste Kitchen’s Iced Coconut Chai is refreshing on a market day!

Who are your top three favorite vendors at the market and why?

Four colorful drinks in clear cups with straws on a bright counter

The Plant Supply has fun and different gifts and plants.

Handmade ceramic mug with red and tan abstract brushstroke pattern on speckled white clay

Rising Dawn Ceramics has cute and fun ceramics.

Close-up of a dense arrangement of mixed succulents in a dark pot

Juice Box Fargo has delicious juices and smoothie bowls.

What is a new vendor you are looking forward to?

Golden round bread loaf on a wire cooling rack

Sourdough Goods! Gotta love more bread at the market!

Parsley Sternhagen

Event Intern

Smiling vendor behind a booth table with Bazaar Punchcards sign and Alien Antenna $3 label at a Night Bazaar event

What is your favorite food at the market and why?

Bowl of sautéed greens with herbs and a light sauce

Little Brother has great food with veggie options at an affordable price!

Favorite drink at the market and why?

Hands holding an iced drink in a clear cup with a branded sleeve

Namaste Kitchen’s Chai is a very deep and rich flavor, authentically brewed!

Who are your top three favorite vendors at the market?

Hands holding a large colorful noodle salad topped with fresh herbs and edible flowers
Namaste Kitchen
Two colorful smoothie bowls topped with granola and fruit beside a coconut drink
Juice Box
Blue bowl of bibimbap topped with a fried egg and red sauce
Little Brother

What is a new vendor you are looking forward to?

Two jars of Ugandan vanilla bean paste with branded labels
Hanson's Vanilla Co.!

Lesleyanne Buegel

Creative Producer & Event Manager

Woman with arms crossed wearing a black sleeveless top and tan trousers against a beige studio backdrop

What is your favorite food at the market and why?

Six chocolate chip cookies with toasted marshmallow centers on parchment paper

Oatmeal Creme Pie from Preheat Pastry Shop. It’s a delicious, yummy treat, that’s better than the original Lil Debbie ones—also Megan and Lydia are so fun and sweet!

Favorite drink at the market and why?

Two bottles of Juice Box Fargo cherry juice surrounded by fresh cherries

Any juice from Juice Box is so refreshing, cold, delicious, and healthy.

Who are your top three favorite vendors at the market and why?

Green gemstone pendant resting against a white crystal cluster

Lady Gem Jewelry has an incredible stones and jewelry selection!

Close-up of mixed purple, pink, and white wildflowers in bloom

Exit 44 – Flowers & More has beautiful flower arrangements.

Purple Fargo graphic T-shirt laid flat on a wooden surface beside colorful shirts

Lost in Fargo has sick, homemade clothes representing cool Fargoans!

What is a new vendor you are looking forward to?

Four individually wrapped cookies in a wicker basket
Three small dark glass bottles with colorful labels tied with twine
Humble Bread and Hanson's Vanilla Co.

Dexter Dutton

Development Manager

Smiling man with curly hair wearing a light blue button-up shirt against a beige wall

What is your favorite food at the market and why?

Golden fried samosas piled together in a basket

Adibon’s Samosas are the best! Sifa is so kind and always such a pleasure to chat with, and she always remembers that I love extra chili oil to make them extra spicy.

Favorite drink at the market and why?

Bottle of rosé wine beside a small book titled '99% Chance of Wine' on a wooden rack

Either a wine from Bear Creek or a beer from Drekker. Depending on the mood of the day, both of these bevies hit the spot. Having worked with Drekker for four years in the past, I’m very familiar with their IPAs and love their crisp lagers they have been making more recently

Tall craft beer can beside a hazy golden pint glass on a dark bar top

Sean at Bear Creek is a wine wizard and is crafting some amazing wines here in the Red River Valley.

Who are your top three favorite vendors at the market and why?

Red River Market logo with a vintage pickup truck illustration

This is an impossible question for me. Having been involved with the vendor community for over eight years, I’ve been lucky enough to make some great connections with many of our vendors. I’m grateful for each and every Red River Market Vendor that hustles hard to make the market the best and biggest farmers’ market in the state.

What is a new vendor you are looking forward to?

Four individually wrapped cookies in a wicker basket

Fresh bread is my love language, hence why I am so excited for Humble Bread to bring boules of sourdough to Red River Market.

Tori Schmidt

Events Manager

Smiling woman with long dark hair wearing a green tank top and layered necklaces

What is your favorite food at the market and why?

Two takeout containers of Asian dishes with chopsticks

Adibon… I love all of their plates, and the sambusa is amazing!

Favorite drink at the market and why?

Red juice bottle beside a chalkboard sign reading Summer Breeze with watermelon pineapple lime

Juice Box! All of their drinks are so refreshing, especially on a hot summer day.

Who are your top three favorite vendors at the market and why?

Cardboard box of packaged greens in a leafy outdoor market garden

Nourished By Nature has an incredible selection for different meats—the beef sticks are my favorite.

Three colorful bottled juices labeled Juice Box lined up side by side

Juice Box has the best drink selection. I love to take some home for the weekend.

Three hot sauce bottles with colorful labels on a blue surface

Off The Deck is my top choice for gift giving. I love picking out a new hot sauce for myself or to gift to my friends!

What is a new vendor you are looking forward to?

Close-up of golden baked rolls topped with jalapeño slices and melted cheese

I am so stoked for Humble Bread to be a part of the market. Everything looks incredible!

Folkways

Facebook | /wearefolkways
Instagram | @wearefolkways
Linkedin | /company/folkwaysco

Instagram | @campus.Fm
Tiktok | @campusfm

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Published August 28, 2025

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Read time6 min
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Brady Drake
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