It's not Walmart, Safeway, or Albertsons. The Albany Farmers Market consists of blue collar farmers, like Robert Taylor who owns the Fir Grove Farm in Scio or Ross Glasser who owns the Happy Camper Farm in North Albany. These are farmers that grow and sell their produce right here in the valley.
These farmers, and the dozen or so other vendors at the Farmers Market in Albany on October 20th, are the representation of how small farmers can supply the local area with the staple foods. They keep the local economy alive by providing a local alternative for products that are also sold by corporations like Walmart and Safeway.
Glasser, who farms on just one acre, pointed out that locals should become aware just "how far away our food comes from."
There is something unique and special about the feel of an open-air market like the one at the intersection of 4th and Ellsworth in downtown Albany.
At the Albany Farmers Market, you will hear the sound of the live music that entertains customers while they casually peruse the vendors' wares. You will see the vibrant colors of the produce, as well as the smiles on the faces of the hard-working farmers that have come together to sell their produce and other products to their valley neighbors.
Some vendors even accepted WIC vouchers and EBT.
When walking through the market, it's abundantly clear just how vast the selection of produce is that you can find here. There is everything from staples like potatoes, lettuce, carrots, and apples, to just about every type of squash imaginable. But produce is not the only thing sold at the farmers market. One farm out of Sweet Home offered customers an arrangement of meats, including beef, chicken, pork, lamb, and goat.
One of the resounding themes when talking to the farmers is their thankfulness to the locals in the area. Both Taylor and Glasser have mentioned that support from the locals has been getting stronger. Glasser stated that there has been a recent shift towards a "stronger customer base." This is not to say that the support is at its peak, and these local farmers would certainly appreciate more business. Taylor said while things have "actually gotten better," it "would help if people were more supportive of the market."
According to Taylor, the market is filled with vendors in the beginning of the season, which starts in April. He mentioned that many of the berry vendors and other farmers that specialize in certain produce or goods have slowly disappeared with the end of their respective growing seasons. The Albany Farmers Market is closing for the winter on Nov. 17 according to their official web site, so make sure to visit soon!
At A Glance:
Albany Farmers Market: 4th and Ellsworth
Open only on Saturdays from 9am to 1pm
Closes November 17th
Corvallis Farmers Market: 1st and Jackson
Open Wendnesdays and Saturdays from 9am to 1pm
Closes November 17th
Lebanon Farmers Market: Grant and Main St.
Open Only on Thursdays from 3pm to 7pm
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