If you are in Gresham on a Saturday in May through October visiting the local Farmers Market is a must! This market offers a variety of handmade items, and homegrown produce. You’re sure to enjoy meeting the farmers and artists during your visit!
That depends on the time of year you go to the market! Fresh products will correlate with their respective harvest times. A variety of fresh vegetables, fruits and herbs are available for purchase. Apples, berries, carrots, parsley, radishes, mushrooms, onions, squash, tomatoes, corn, peaches and many more fruit and veggie vendors are scattered throughout the market. Unique and flavorful jams and preserves are also sold by vendors. Local honey is sold for those trying to treat seasonal allergies naturally. Fresh meats and even cook books are available!
You may also enjoy some of the fresh treats and breads that are ready to warm you up on a chilly Fall morning! Delicious homemade donuts, crepes, muffins, cinnamon rolls, cookies and other similar food items have been known to be there in the past! A local candy shop has even been known to make an appearance! But maybe you want something a bit more savory, try out some local BBQ that is grilled and ready for you to eat!
Many artists attend the farmers market as vendors and sell their handmade items. Check out the beautiful home crafted jewelry created from shells and stones. You can even pick up some beautiful bouquets of flowers to enjoy in your home. Where better to get tie-dye than at a farmers market in Oregon?! You can purchase some truly amazing clothing items that have been created by tie-dye enthusiasts. Face painting is sure to be fun for kiddos and Henna artists can create beautiful designs, large or small, for an adult who wants to join in on the fun!
Many individuals worked hard to begin the Gresham Farmers Market in 1986, however, Polly Casterline played a particularly important role in the market’s founding. Polly loved the way that Europeans went about selling produce. It’s far more common, in Europe, to buy produce the day or the day before you are going to use it; rather than getting everything in one large grocery trip, as is more common in the United States. Street vendors selling local produce and goods throughout the week is commonplace in Europe, allowing individuals to purchase their items the day that they want to use them. Inspired by this way of connecting with local farmers, Polly and other residents in the Gresham area put together the farmers market that continues to this day! Although it has grown over the years and the location has changed multiple times, locals have Polly Casterline to thank for bringing this idea to life.
Looking for more fun and unique ways to enjoy your time in Oregon? Take a trip to Eugene and check out our post about the Cascades Raptor Center. Learn more about local wildlife and meet some rescue birds, including Bald Eagles and Snowy Owls!