Every Saturday I roll up to Union Square around 11:30 and the corn is either gone or it's the sad ears with brown tips. I keep hearing 'go at 8' but I did that once and half the stands were still setting up. What's the actual move? I'm not trying to meal prep for a family; I just want six decent ears and maybe some tomatoes that don't cost a kidney. Does Friday morning clear out too?

Flatbush_Fi, I'd skip the 8am run unless you want to watch farmers tape up their signs. The sweet spot is usually 9:30 to 10:30. By then the stands are fully stocked, but before the brunch crowd and the 'let's grocery shop for the week' people arrive. The corn moves fast, especially at the stalls on the west side of the walkway near the bread guy. The one up by 17th tends to have more leftover but the quality is hit or miss. Friday has fewer vendors, so if you specifically want corn and heirloom tomatoes, Saturday is safer. If you can't make Saturday morning, don't bother after 1 because you're mostly getting picked-over stuff.

Thanks, this helps. I moved here in August and I went Friday noon once thinking it'd be less crowded. It was almost empty. I thought people were exaggerating. Do you just carry cash? Two places I tried to buy from wouldn't take card and I had to buy a loaf of bread I didn't need to break a $20. Also, is there a day where they restock later, or is it really all done by noon?

Unpopular opinion but the whole thing is a time tax. I've done the 9:30 Saturday shift and you're still shoulder-to-shoulder with people pushing strollers. I get that it's local, but my Key Food gets produce the same morning with less rush and I can buy exactly one onion without getting side-eyed. If you're going to go, don't chase corn. Go in the afternoon, buy what's left from the less popular stands, tip them, and then leave. The bread people are the only reason to stand in that crowd anyway.