Bend Farmers Market set to begin season

From quaint beginnings atop Drake Park to a thriving, bustling market in nearby Brooks Alley, the Bend Farmers Market has been “growing” and feeding Central Oregon for over 20 years!

Wednesday May 1 will mark the first day of the market season. This year, they are welcoming more than 10 new local vendors, including sustainable vegetable growers, pastured meat ranchers, pie bakers, wildcrafters, mushroom cultivators and more.

This 24-week market runs every Wednesday, rain or shine, smoke or hail, from 2-6 p.m. in downtown Bend from May 1 to Oct. 9.

The mission of the Bend Farmers Market is to create and sustain a centralized market that provides fresh local produce and farm products to the Central Oregon community, providing a viable market for local farmers, and enhancing the business, nutritional, and community health of Central Oregon.

“We pride ourselves are on our diverse selection and commitment to local agriculture. We are excited to be into our second decade of supporting local food,” said Board Member Megan French.

This year, they are inviting the public to participate in a poster contest to celebrate two decades of local agriculture! The poster should exemplify Bend; the community, nature, agriculture, and anything that makes Bend special.

Finalists will be picked by the Board of Directors of the Bend Farmers Market, and their posters displayed at the Aug. 7 market during National Farmers Market Week.

The winner will be voted on and chosen by the public. The winner will receive a $200 cash prize and a farmers market gift basket. The winning poster will be submitted in 2020 to the Farmers Market Coalition National Farmers Market Poster contest, and will go on to adorn the Bend Farmers Market for years to come!

For more information on dates, times, and the poster contest, please see the Bend Farmers Market facebook page or check out the website at www.bendfarmersmarket.com.