Ah, April, the return of blooming tulips, outdoor events and colorful spring produce.
The month also kicks off Eugene Saturday Market’s 57th season and the Lane County Farmers Market’s main season.
Beginning April 4, the neighboring markets run every Saturday downtown, rain or shine. The intersection of Eighth Avenue and Oak Street becomes a hub for local food and art, with myriad vendors offering seasonal fruits and vegetables, fresh meat and seafood, diverse cuisine, handcrafted goods and live music.
Lookout Eugene-Springfield spoke with organizers from both markets about what to expect, their best tips and exciting updates.
“The farmers market is its own living, breathing thing,” said Hayley Shapiro, who recently joined Lane County Farmers Market as executive director. “I look forward to seeing what sort of life it takes on week to week, and who’s there, and it being this center point of our community.”
Two markets in the heart of downtown Eugene
Eugene Saturday Market and Lane County Farmers Market celebrate goods produced by hand — grown, harvested, crafted, baked and cooked.
Saturday Market has the handcrafted goods: Jewelry, pottery, leather goods, stained glass and apparel, to name a few. It also boasts live music every week and an international food market with 15 vendors showcasing cuisines from Afghanistan to Mexico. Soi 44 and Wrapped are its newest food vendors.
The Saturday Market has been around since 1970 and is considered America’s oldest operating open-air handmade craft market. About 600 vendors sign up annually, and they must abide by market requirements — items must be handmade, grown or gathered by the maker or immediate family in Oregon; and the maker must be present at the market, to name a couple.
“We’re dedicated to fostering and appreciating local art and promoting new businesses,” said Silver Lee-Hutson, a marketing assistant at Saturday Market. “We never run out of artists.”
For locally sourced ingredients — we’re talking fresh produce, breads and pastry, eggs, fish and meats — stop by the Lane County Farmers Market. More than 100 vendors sell goods there every week. You can also find hot food, fun coffee drinks, bubble tea, wine, kombucha, flowers and plants. Vendors must grow or produce their products in Oregon, and bakers and other food artisans are required to use at least 25% Oregon-grown ingredients in their products.
The farmers market traces its roots back to Eugene Producers Market, which opened in 1915. After shutting down for some years, it reorganized and reopened under its current name in 1979.
The schedules:
Lane County Farmers Market: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturdays, at the Farmers Market Pavilion, 85 E. Eighth Ave., Eugene
Eugene Saturday Market: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturdays, at the Park Blocks, 126 E. Eighth Ave., Eugene
Navigating the markets
Parking options
Parking is free in downtown parking garages all weekend, except for occasional special events parking. The nearby Overpark (1001 W. 10th Ave.) and Parcade (35 W. Eighth Ave.) garages are recommended by both markets. Street parking is limited and is metered on Saturdays until 6 p.m.
Bathroom access
The good news: Both markets have bathrooms. Eugene Saturday Market offers porta-potties along West Park and South Park streets, and Lane County Farmers Market has five gender-neutral stalls inside the pavilion. The not-so-good news: More visitors in the spring and summer mean longer lines.
“The bathroom situation is a moment,” Shapiro said, half jokingly.
Brace for the wait, take a deep breath and make a new friend while in line. It’ll go by.
A few market don’ts
Follow these simple rules for both markets and you’ll be as golden as a chestnut mushroom:
- Don’t park in the gravel lot just north of the Farmers Market Pavilion — that is for vendors only. Bikes are encouraged as a mode of transportation; just don’t ride them through the markets.
- Don’t bring your pets: Except for service animals, furry friends aren’t allowed at either market.
Finding vendors
Lane County Farmers Market updates its map every week so you can locate specific vendors and products. Find a general map for Eugene Saturday Market here, and keep an eye out for booth space assignments soon.
Most of the farmers market’s produce growers are located outside just east of the pavilion building, while most hot food vendors are on the other side. Inside the pavilion is a mix of produce and prepared goods, including breads, pastries, coffee, spice mixes and frozen meat.
At Eugene Saturday Market, the international food court, seating and stage are located on the east block. Find artists and other craft vendors on both blocks.
When in doubt, head to the info booth: The farmers market’s booth is just outside the pavilion (on the east side), and the Saturday Market’s booth is on the corner of Oak and South Park streets.
“If you’re overwhelmed and just want a really specific thing, we can help you find it,” Lee-Hutson said.
Using SNAP (food benefits) funds
Lane County Farmers Market accepts SNAP benefits for several goods: Participants can use their EBT tokens for meat, eggs and dairy as well as fresh produce and dried goods. They can’t purchase hot food, alcohol or nonedible products.
“The farmers market is a place of community and connection, but it’s also a place of food justice and access, environmental sustainability and climate resiliency,” Shapiro said.
EBT participants can turn $20 into $40 at the farmers market through the Double Up Food Bucks program.
Double Up Bucks can be used for fruits and vegetables, mushrooms, dried beans, fresh herbs and veggie starts. The market accepts one match, up to $20 per participant per market day. Participants can head to the info booth to get started.
“We have amazing food incentive programs, and that’s something that we want people to know,” Shapiro said. “It’s a really great way to get a bang for your buck.”
Tips for a great market outing
Lookout Eugene-Springfield asked Adam Lee, who owns Willow & Oak Farm with his wife, Kelly Hardin, for tips on navigating the farmers market. Here’s what the Springfield farmer said:
- Come early for the best selection and the shortest lines. (Some vendors will start selling as early as 8:45 a.m.)
- Bring bags, and a cart if you’re really stocking up.
- Ask questions. “A lot of times the maker or the farmer is in the booth, so if you’re ever curious about what’s in something, or how something’s made, or where it came from, we’re all happy to help and answer questions,” Lee said.
Lee-Hutson emphasized staying hydrated and protected: While fountains are available, she recommended bringing your own water. Even with covered booths, both markets are largely outdoors, so bring sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses.
She also wants marketgoers to engage with vendors.
“We have such a carefully and beautifully crafted community of individuals,” Lee-Huston said. “My favorite thing is asking what started their journey to making crafts. You might get a few ‘I was bored’ answers, but there are so many unique stories and pieces.”
Springfield Farmers Market launches this summer
The first Springfield Farmers Market opens June 7. The city of Springfield approved a three-year agreement for Lane County Farmers Market to operate it every Sunday through October.
Vendors will set up on a city-owned parking lot between A and B streets east of Fifth Street, adjacent to City Hall and the Springfield Public Library. Expect a scaled-down version of the Saturday farmers market, with familiar faces and new vendors. By branching out further east, the Sunday farmers market aims to reach more people in Lane County.
“A lot of the goal for Springfield is just access,” Shapiro said. “Springfield, I think, is notoriously maybe forgotten about, and it’s a really vibrant, amazing community.”