A Simple Guide To Portland’s (Awesome) Farmers Markets
Headed to Portland in search of fresh produce? We’ve got good news: the chicken is always local. Herewith, we round up our favorite farmers markets in Portland– a city famed for its foraging, freedom gardens, and robust local food scene. Check out our reccomendations below for operating hours and insider tips and what to buy, and when.
Portland State University Farmers Market
Portland’s most famous farmer’s market, this year-round market is a Pacific Northwest institution. Featuring up to 140 diverse stalls, a friendly community vibe, live music and entertainment, and endless free samples, this is the ideal Saturday outing for Portland visitors and locals alike. Choose from a wide variety of local produce that is fresh, seasonal, and organic, as well as from prepared coffee and food stands, including the popular Verde Cocina and Nossa Familia. With up to 20,000 shoppers visiting in the summer months, this is a great spot to people watch while snacking on a pastry from a local artisanal baker, or indulge in some juicy local blackberries.
Open year round. Saturdays 8:30am – 2pm (Mar-Oct), 9am – 2pm (Nov-Feb). Location: South Park blocks between SW College & Montgomery. http://www.portlandfarmersmarket.org/our-markets/psu/
Hollywood Farmers Market
Located in Portland’s Hollywood district, this medium-sized market has a great community vibe, and features 50 vendors who sell everything from fresh local honey to fine wines and cheeses, to the usual choice selection of local produce. The Hollywood market always features lively musicians and children’s entertainment, which makes it a great place to bring your family on a Saturday morning. It’s also home to Neighborhood Gleaners, a charity that collects the unsold produce from each Saturday’s market and distributes it to low-income seniors.
Open year round. Saturdays 8am-1pm (Apr-Sept), 9am-1pm (Oct-Nov), 9am-1pm on first and third Saturdays (Dec-Mar). Location: NE Hancock, between 44th and 45th Avenues.
http://hollywoodfarmersmarket.org/
People’s Farmers Market
Located next to the People’s Co-op grocery store, this cozy, creative neighborhood market is a community gathering space as much as a convenient place to buy produce. It’s a wonderfully welcoming place to stop for a chat with local farmers and artisans, grab some organic veggies, and if you’re not able to find something you need, you can simply head inside to the co-op to get the rest of your shopping done.
Open year round. Wednesdays 2pm-7pm. Location: 3029 SE 21st Avenue, just outside the co-op.
http://www.peoples.coop/farmers-market
Lents International Farmers Market
As Portland’s only internationally-focused farmers market, Lents market features produce from local Russian, Hmong, and Latino farmers. Dating back to 1999, residents of the diverse Lents neighborhood originally created it as a positive community space for low-income shoppers. Now, it hosts about 20 vendors, live music and entertainment, and has an affable neighborhood vibe. Be sure to go for lunch and treat yourself to some homemade tamales (and maybe some fresh-cut flowers, too).
Sundays 9am-2pm (June 4 – Oct 29th). Location: SE 92nd and Reedway between foster and Harold. http://www.portlandfarmersmarket.org/our-markets/lents-international/#
Milwaukie Farmers Market
Just a few steps off of the MAX Orange Line, this spacious market in deep Southeast is a great option for a Sunday afternoon escape from the bustle of Portland. Stop by for some delicious homemade Marionberry jam, a fresh roasted ear of corn, or some pottery made by a local artisan. This is a quaint, relaxed environment to spend a lazy Sunday people watching and chatting with local farmers.
Sundays 9:30am-2pm (May-Oct). Location: SE Main St & Harrison St http://milwaukiefarmersmarket.com/new/
Shemanski Park Farmers Market
Given its convenient location close to Pioneer Courthouse square, downtown hotels and office buildings, this is an ideal place to stop for a mid-week lunch or produce fix. Featuring 50 stalls in one of Portland’s many tree-lines downtown parks, this market is a cozier alternative to larger markets like the PSU one, and has much to offer. Be sure to stop by the Briar Rose Creamery stand for a taste of some of the best hand-made goats-milk cheese in Portland!
Wednesdays 10am – 2pm (May 3-October 25 + November 22) SW Park & Salmon, behind the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.
http://www.portlandfarmersmarket.org/our-markets/shemanski-park/
King Farmers Market
Located one block south of Alberta Street in the colorful Alberta Arts District, this medium-sized market is a family-friendly space that has served the residents of the King Neighborhood since 2009. On a hot summer’s day, be sure to stop by Eva’s Herbucha for some cold, raw kombucha, a Portland specialty. Look out for live music and kid’s activities, as well as delicious prepared foods like the burritos from Enchanted Sun Breakfast Burritos and French crepes from C’est Si Bon!, which you can eat picnic-style on the lawn. This market is extremely bike-friendly, so cycle on over in order to get the full Portland experience!
Sundays 10am – 2pm (May 7th – Nov 19th). Location: NE 7th and Wygant St.
http://www.portlandfarmersmarket.org/our-markets/king/
Beaverton Farmers Market
While this market is technically located in the suburbs, it’s definitely worth mentioning because of its sheer size and variety. As the largest agricultural-only farmers market in the Pacific Northwest, it’s played host to some of the best produce in the world since 1988. Because many of the vendors are nursery growers, this is an ideal place for gardeners to buy organic fruit and veggie starts, seeds, and other gardening supplies. Come here to choose from a wide variety of fresh baked breads, ciders, handmade pastas, artisanal cheeses, jams, seafood, and of course, as many types of fruits and veggies as you can imagine.
Saturdays 10am-1:30pm (Feb-Apr), 8am-1:30pm (May-Sept), 9am-1:30pm (Oct-Nov). Location: SW Hall Blvd, across from the Beaverton Library (between 3rd and 5th).
http://www.beavertonfarmersmarket.com/
