The Corvallis and Albany Farmers Markets will open for the 2023 season on April 15. The 32-week regular season runs through Nov. 18 in Albany and Nov. 22 (the day before Thanksgiving) in Corvallis. December “bonus” farmers’ markets are planned for Dec. 9 in both Corvallis and Albany. The Farmers Market at both sites will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
CAFM was the first market organization in Oregon to have a web page. But the design and function of the site, LocallyGrown.org, has not kept up with growth and sophistication of the farmers markets. A beautiful and professionally redesigned version of the website will debut this month. It will feature enhanced vendor and product search plus more accessible information for customers about each market site/day.
“CAFM gathers a lot of detail about its farmers and other vendors,” said Rebecca Landis, market director. “Up to now, we have not had a smooth way to share that information with our communities."
The Albany Farmers Market is at 4th Street and Ellsworth Avenue, occupying the City Hall parking lot and an adjacent block of 4th Avenue on Saturdays.
The Corvallis Farmers Market is at 1st Street and Jackson Avenue. On Saturdays, it runs a half block north of Jackson Avenue and to Monroe Avenue, where it turns west to 2nd Street. There is also a small section on Jackson Avenue. The Wednesday market footprint is smaller, occupying one block of 1st Street and a half block on Monroe Avenue in Corvallis.
An artisan faire market operates next to the Corvallis Farmers Market but is not run by CAFM. For more information, contact Stephen Poole by email.
Sick Town Roller Derby is coming to the Albany market on April 15. They will talk with market customers about the group’s unique “roll” in our communities and will hand out prizes.
Also on April 15 in Albany, Linn County Public Health and OSU Extension partners will be promoting Oregon DEQ’s Food Waste Prevention Week. They will provide outreach materials and interactive demos on strategies to reduce food waste in our homes and communities.
For opening day in Corvallis, Kiwanis Club of Corvallis will be at the Helen Berg/Jackson Plaza helping kids plant flowers to take home.
Republic Services will be in Albany on April 22 offering some free compost to those who bring a bucket. They’ll be joined by 211info. (The Corvallis date for Republic Services. is May 20.)
Corvallis April 22 events include Sick Town Roller Derby, No Food Left Behind, and National Child Abuse Prevention month.
A limited number of community events will be provided space this season. Most are nonprofit organizations. Contact Vonda Peters by email to propose an event.
The markets are not booking music or allowing busking inside our permit areas. Licensing costs associated with hosting music are not affordable at this time.
Albany’s Power of Produce (PoP) Club starts June 17. Kids aged 5-12 can choose a free produce item, and there are activities for families. The program is funded with support from the Siletz Tribal Charitable Contribution Fund and donations from local businesses and organizations. Those interested in PoP sponsorship should contact Vonda Peters by email.
Most CAFM 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.
Brandywine Fisheries brings its catch from the acres of ocean off the Oregon Coast. This year they’ll be joined in Corvallis by a new coastal product. Oregon Seaweed is farming Pacific Dulse, a sea vegetable that is unusually high in protein.
The exceptions to CAFM’s farm-direct selection criteria are a limited number of restaurants, baked goods, beverages and other prepared foods.
CAFM has ended its online ordering system that launched in 2020 to speed up shopping and reduce COVID risk. Some market vendors have developed their own arrangements for pre-orders, CSAs, bulk boxes and delivery.
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.
The Albany Farmers' Market began in 1978 on Water Ave. Since 2007, it has operated in the City Hall parking lot and an adjacent block of 4th Ave.
In Corvallis, the Wednesday farmers’ market started in 1981, and the Saturday farmers’ market started in 1991.
Press release provided by CAFM. Featured photo by Reed Lane Photography. Keep up with Corvallis news, events and happenings by signing up for our email newsletter.
