Spring means the beginning of the long and bountiful outdoor market season in Eugene. Farmers' markets are a great place to shop for fresh veggies, fruit, eggs and grass-fed meats. In April, the markets start to open with early root vegetables, onions and spring greens and preserved fruits and berries. By June there are markets in almost every community across Lane County and they are in full swing — robust with fresh local vegetables, fruits and flowers. 

If you are local, you may wish to consider joining Community Support Agriculture (CSA). These programs are designed in many different ways, but most require a purchasing commitment in exchange for a share in a farm's crops. Some deliver different sizes of food boxes to designated drop sites, others even deliver to your home! Some even offer online ordering selection from a co-op of farms. 

Explore our locavore culture for seasonal highlights. Natural food stores also display an array of local produce from regional farms. And during the summer, drive scenic back-country roads to shop farm stands or gather berries at u-pick farms.

Here are some of the most popular markets to visit this spring and summer. Before heading out, please confirm market days and hours. All market schedules are subject to change without notice.

Hideaway Bakery Farmers' Market 

Year-round
Saturday, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Behind Mazzi's Restaurant, off E. Amazon, Eugene

Hideaway is still open for take-out.

OG Corner Market

Seasonally April to December
Wednesday, 4 - 6 p.m.
Thursday & Friday, noon - 6 p.m.
Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
295 River Rd, Eugene

Lane County Farmers Market

Seasonally April to November
Saturday, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. 
5th Ave, between High and Oak Streets, Eugene

Seasonally, May - October
Tuesday, 10 a.m. - 3 p .m.
8th Ave & Oak St, Eugene

Whiteaker Community Market

The Whiteaker Community Market is offering online shopping.

Seasonally May to October
Sunday, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Scobert Park at 4th & Blair, Eugene

Veneta Downtown Farmers Market

Seasonally May to September
Saturday, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
3rd Ave and Broadway, Veneta

Florence Farmers Market

Seasonally May to October
Tuesday, 3 - 6 p.m.
Corner of Bay & Kingwood Street, Old Town Florence

South Valley Farmers Market 

Seasonally May - October
Saturday, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. 
7th & Main Street, Cottage Grove

Dexter Lake Farmers Market

Seasonally May to September
Sunday, noon - 4 p.m.
Rolling Rock Park, Dexter

Spencer Creek Community Growers Market

Seasonally Late May to October
Saturday, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Spencer Creek Grange, 86013 Lorane Hwy, Eugene

Amazon Farmers Market

Seasonally June to September
Thursday, Noon - 4 p.m.
2700 Hilyard St, Eugene

Fairmount Neighborhood Farmers' Market

Seasonally June to October
Sunday, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Agate & 19th, Eugene

The Farmers' Market Experience by Spencer Adrian 

Saturday mornings in downtown Eugene bring a flurry of farmers setting up stands for the weekly Saturday Market. Folk music from the main stage drifts through the crowd of people waiting for lunch from one of the many food vendors. The beat of the drums in the plaza extends out into the streets and an overall hum of the market fills downtown. The corner of 8th and Oak buzzes with fresh cut flowers, tie-dye shirts, and an abundance of organic produce for Eugenians to buy. Wandering through the vendors you can find a variety of veggies, fresh-baked bread, hand-made jewelry, clothing and even some Kombucha if you are feeling a little adventurous.

When I was younger, I worked for a farm as a berry salesman and traveled the Portland Metro area trying to peddle my berries and other various fruits. I drove a rusty farm truck from the 70s with windows that didn’t roll down and brakes that pulled to the left. Every morning I would have to get up at 5, fill my truck with crates of fruit, and head on my way to the market of the day. Wandering around the Eugene market made me feel at home. All of the vendors were talking between the booths and were open to talk with people about almost anything. Walking around the market and buying some of the local products leaves you feeling like you made a small difference by helping small businesses make it in a community.

If you wander off at the Lane County Farmers Market in Eugene and head to the back, you’ll stumble upon the Organic Redneck truck from McKenzie River Farms. The vendor sells all of their produce off the back of a truck, and for that reason, is unable to join the rest of the vendors on the sidewalks in the park. They are a hard to find truck, but it is definitely worth the search.

I talked to Gretchen Fritsch, an employee for McKenzie River Farms, while she helped customers find the best produce she had.

“They [the farm owners] wanted to distinguish themselves from everyone else, and the redneck thing is part of their lifestyle,” Fritsch explained.

She says that Organic Redneck has been selling blueberries for the last twenty years, and has only recently expanded to veggies.

I watched as families worked together in the Eugene market, and how small stands were just trying to get off the ground. The market is a place for people to share their passions with the community, and a place to make a living doing what they love. The Lane County Farmers Market / Saturday Market is great for getting fresh produce for the week, or to people watch. The weekly event breathes life into the downtown neighborhood and is something every Eugenian needs to experience at least once.

First published in March 2013