By Kristine Thomas
If you want an inkling of what’s grown in the Willamette Valley or even at nearby farms, a stop at the Silverton Farmers’ Market is a good place to start.
The market opens for the 2011 season Saturday, May 7, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Town Square Park on Main Street. It’s open every Saturday until mid-October.
Jessica Griffin is the new market manager. There are currently between 25 to 30 vendors from the Silverton, Stayton, Scotts Mills and Mount Angel area who are signed up to participate with numbers varying as peak produce seasons arrive, Griffin said.
Silverton’s Farmers’ Market began in 2002 with four or five vendors. Stop by on a Saturday morning and you’ll find produce that is in season and fresh from the farm. There is also jams, coffee, baked goods, locally grown meat and eggs.
From the vibrant bouquets of fresh flowers to the rows of vegetables, there are many reasons Griffin encourages people to visit the farmers’ market.
“Visiting the market is a fun adventure in itself as it allows people to see exactly what is being grown in our valley,” Griffin said. “One taste of a local raspberry and you will be hooked. The neat thing about the plants being offered for sale is the fact they are grown for our valley specifically.”
Vendors currently signed up include: Gardenripe, Harpole’s Produce, Alice and Laura’s Kitchen, Oregon Crepe Company, Carmalicious Apples, Garden Thyme Nursery, Chimera Gardens, Forest Meadow Farms, Rambler Drive Raspberries, Sterling Flowers, Bahia Soap Company, Richard’s Greenhouse, Silverton Green Store, Silver Falls Coffee Company, Tom’s Pies and Little White House Berry Farm.
“By supporting our local farmers, we are not only eating healthier, fresher food we are also supporting our local economy and the future of our small farms,” Griffin said. “Organic and sustainable living are going to only enhance our health and the health of our towns.”
Griffin said the Silverton Farmers’ Market is a great spot for community members and visitors to enjoy a cup of coffee with a locally made pastry or to grab the ingredients for dinner.
“We have a wonderful variety for the customer, making our market a destination spot,” she said. It is the perfect spot for community and commerce to come together for the good of Silverton and its farmers.”
