Features

Oregon Nonprofit Helps Foodies Find Local Farmers’ Markets

Lake Oswego, OR. Saturdays through Oct. 2nd you’ll find thousands of locals meeting their favorite farmers in Millennium Plaza Park. The Lake Oswego Farmers’ Market is one of 123 farmers’ markets operating throughout the state, and each has its own local flavor. The Oregon Farmers Market Association works to give the community access to a wide variety of fresh, local, in-season farm products direct from the producer and to provide a centralized location for local producers to market directly to the buying public. It also provides an interactive map so you can find one near you: Click here for a map of farmers’ markets.

In response to COVID-19, many Oregon farmers markets have added online pre-order platforms for customers who would like to shop local, but from home. Here is a current listing (regularly updated) of markets across the state who are offering vendor products online.

Many farmers markets across the state have adopted OFMA’s COVID-19 Pledge, which means they have created safe and essential marketplaces for local food shoppers.

70 Oregon markets accept SNAP food assistance programs.

Governor Kate Brown even proclaimed August 1-7th Oregon Farmers Market Week.

Manzanita Farmers’ Market

From The Oregon Farmers Market Association:

Farmers markets provide families of all income levels access to nutritious locally and regionally produced foods. More than 70 Oregon markets accept SNAP benefits and other critical food assistance because we believe that fresh, healthy food is for everyone.
Farmers markets are small business incubators. Data recently collected by OFMA suggest that over half the vendors at a typical rural farmers market are brand-new entrepreneurs with less than three years of experience.
Check out highlights from OFMA’s 2019 Census of Oregon farmers markets.

Did you know…

…only $0.15 on the dollar goes to farmers when you buy food at a grocery store? Support your local farmers by shopping at the market, where they keep 100% of those dollars!
…customers at farmers markets have 15 to 20 social interactions compared to one to two at a grocery store? Farmers markets are great for their communities. Visit your farmers market this week and chat with your neighbors.
…farmers market food is WAY fresher than food from traditional retailers? Farmers market fare averages half a day since harvest, compared to 13 days at a traditional retailer. That’s a delicious reason to support your local farmers market!
…the United States loses one acre of farmland every day? Support the vendors at your local farmers market to help keep working lands in production!

Elisa Klein

I’ve been a professional journalist and writer since 1987, (and long-time reporter for KOIN-TV.) As a nationally published reporter, with a Master’s Degree in Journalism, I love to report positive news and information. Journalism has also connected me with another non-profit where I served as a leader; the Northwest’s biggest writer’s organization: The Willamette Writers.