Farmer Noemi from Farm D’ICI sports a face mask while showing off her pickling cucumbers at the Oregon City Farmers Market.
We’re celebrating National Farmers Market Week! This annual celebration highlights the important role that farmers markets play across our nation and here in Clackamas County.
Why Should I Celebrate Farmers Markets?
The Farmers Market Coalition shares these observations. The highlighted links provide some supporting documentation.
- Farmers markets are essential businesses. Farmers market operators have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic to redesign operations and create robust safety plans to continue to serve their communities. The pandemic has made it clear that local food systems with short supply chains are resilient, and can respond and adapt quickly to change.
- Farmers Markets serve as community hubs. Farmers markets foster direct relationships between community members and farmers which can work to create a more fair and sustainable food system. Farmers markets are a hub for connection and collective action around shared values.
- The culture of farmers markets is changing. The demographic of farmers markets has not always reflected their local communities and some markets have not always created a space where everyone can feel welcome. Together, there are farmers market operators and community organizers paving the way to improve equity in the farmers market space. We fundamentally believe that farmers markets are for everyone and seek to support efforts to make farmers markets safe, inviting and accessible for all.
Where Can I Find Farmers Markets in Clackamas County?
Just some of the great agricultural products you can find at the Wilsonville Farmers Market.
National Farmers Market week is an ideal time to visit your local market! Markets can be found Wednesday through Sunday at different locations throughout our District service area. Make a visit to your local market – you’ll be glad you did!
- Canby Farmers Market – Saturday
- Lake Oswego Farmers Market – Saturday
- Milwaukie Sunday Farmers Market – Sunday
- Molalla Farmers Market – Thursday
- Mount Hood Farmers Market – Friday
- Oregon City Year-Round Farmers Market – Saturday
- Redland Grange Farmers Market -Sunday
- West Linn Farmers Market – Wednesday
- Estacada Farmers Market – 2nd & 4th Saturday
- Happy Valley Farmers Market – Saturday
- Hoodland Farmers Market  – Sunday
- Wilsonville Farmers Market – Thursday
Tom and Marian Sawtell manage the Molalla Farmers Market.
Why Does the District Support Farmers Markets?
Farmers markets provide valuable points of sale for local agricultural producers, increasing their economic success. Financially successful farmers have an increased ability to conserve water and soil resources and to maintain healthy habitat. Success also helps them keep their land in agricultural production now and into the future. That’s good for the farm, native wildlife, water quality, and you!
Additionally, farmers markets are well-positioned to provide food, farm, and natural resource education to adults and children. Learning about the value of nutritious, fresh, and healthy whole foods is good for public health, our agricultural producers, and our environment.
