During the warmer months, farmers and purveyors bring their bounty of produce and local food products to farmers markets across Portland. Shopping alfresco is an absolute treat and alongside food vendors, makers offer their crafts and wares, musicians provide lively ambience, and the community gathers amongst the rows of colorful booths. For us, the perfect Portland afternoon includes a stroll through a farmers market, bringing home the best the region has to offer while cutting out the middleman and purchasing food directly from folks who grew, baked, or made it. Read on to learn about some of our favorite markets, along with who and what make them unique. Happy shopping!
PSU Farmers Market
At its peak, Portland Farmers Market’s flagship serves up to 9,000 shoppers with 100+ booths on summer Saturdays. Although the year-round market downsizes considerably during the winter months, it showcases Oregon’s best vendors, who tough it out under tents every week. Can’t-miss stops (expect a line!) include Enchanted Sun for fully loaded breakfast burritos and Matta Café for specialty lattes. Other prepared food highlights include ROAM’s roti wraps, stuffed with marinated chicken or pork and fresh veggies, and pastries from local staples like Twisted Croissant and the all-vegan Orange & Blossom. Once you’ve fueled up, stroll the rows of booths set up within the South Park Blocks and pick up tasty items like cold-smoked lox from The Smokery and Slovakian dried beans and vegetables from Silly Goose Farms out of Gresham. An abundance of farm stands mean you can find almost any seasonal produce you desire, including rare mushrooms, purple Brussels sprouts, and prized heirloom tomatoes. With the newly expanded Portland Art Museum just down the way, it’s easy to make a full Saturday outing of it.
When it happens: Saturdays from April through March, 8:30 am–2 pm and Saturdays from November through March, 9 am–2 pm
