The twice-weekly outdoor Corvallis Farmers’ Market makes its return every Saturday and Wednesday this week, starting this weekend on April 19.
Like always, you’ll find the vendors at 1st and Jackson, and the hours will run from 9 am to 1 pm each week.
This is the 45th season for the Wednesday market and the 35th season for the Corvallis Saturday event. The organizers also have a Farmers’ Market in Albany, now in its 48th season.
For this year, the market in Corvallis will run a regular 32-week season through Nov. 26, the day before Thanksgiving. There will also be a bonus farmer’s market on Dec. 6.
As in past years, an Artisan Faire market operates next to the Corvallis Farmers’ Market, each offered by their own separate groups of organizers.
Most of the market’s vendors are growing fruits and vegetables, plants, or cut flowers, gathered and cultivated mushrooms, or are raising meat, poultry, eggs or honey. What’s in season varies from week to week and is influenced by weather and production methods, including the tall greenhouses called “high tunnels” that some farmers use.
A delicious exception to the market’s farm-direct selection criteria is a limited number of restaurants, baked goods, beverages and other prepared foods.
Opening Day and early season activities
Opening day in Corvallis will include a Kiwanis Club free flower planting for kids. And City of Corvallis water conservation and stormwater staff will be on hand to answer questions and talk about new rebates.
In Corvallis, the OSU Extension Master Gardeners will be present on 2nd and 4th Saturdays. Master food preservers will be in Albany every third Saturday of the month.
One of the most popular market events will be April 26 in Corvallis and May 10 at the Albany Market – Republic Services brings a truck full of compost, and customers bring their buckets.
OSU Pharmacy will offer health screenings in Albany on April 26 and Corvallis on May 3.
New and expanding vendors
New vendors are signed up in both cities, and a few old favorites are moving within the market footprint. The Corvallis site will have new vendors on Monroe and on the north side of First. Newcomers will be sprinkled throughout the Albany site.
New Corvallis vendors include: No Regrets Flower Farm and Animal Sanctuary, which is known for creating goat yoga, Wild Coast Seafoods, and Wilt Blueberry Farm/Sunset Valley Organics.
New Albany vendors include Dot Ranch, GO Java, G2 Deep Sea Excursion with seafood, and a new corn vendor.
Guest booths and market events
A limited number of guest booths are invited to attend markets and provide community education. Most are nonprofit organizations. The markets are not booking music or allowing busking inside its permit areas – the licensing costs associated with hosting music are not affordable at this time.
Kids Day
The Corvallis Wednesday market has a special focus on kids on four dates: June 25, July 16, August 6 and August 27. Thanks to sponsor Stahlbush Island Farms, all kids can take home a farmers’ market fruit or vegetable. Events include book giveaways, arts & crafts and other fun activities provided by many community organizations.
Farmers’ markets are for everyone
People in a wider range of income situations can benefit from market products because of various nutrition programs, including SNAP, Double Up Food Bucks and the Farm Direct Nutrition Program, which includes certain seniors and Women, Infants and Children (WIC) participants. Double Up Food Bucks offers SNAP card holders a match of up to $20 per market day at all of our markets.
For more information, visit https://locallygrown.org/.
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