As spring blossoms in Oregon, so do many vegetables, fruits and berries on the plush soils of local farms in Lane County. If you want the assurance that you’re purchasing the very best produce, it has to be local and in season. Luckily for Eugene residents, access to those fresh fruits and veggies is easily attainable.
Some vegetables that are in season during April include asparagus, which lasts until June, and lettuce, which lasts until October. In May, radishes and salad greens last until November, as well as strawberries, which are in season until August. Mushrooms, potatoes and apples can be grown locally year round. A full calendar of seasonal produce can be found on OregonFresh.net.
But it’s not enough to know which fruits and veggies are in season. You also need to know where to buy them. More often than not, your local bargain or chain grocery store won’t sell the same quality of produce that a natural market or farm stand would.
Believe it or not, there are several farm stands in Eugene. A full directory can easily be accessed on MyOregonFarm.org.
The Lane County Farmer’s Market is an excellent place to purchase a variety of locally harvested products, as it hosts several vendors, including Oregon farmers selling fruits, veggies, berries and more fresh from their farm.
The Saturday Farmer’s Market starts on April 5, lasting until November 15, and will go on from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. downtown on the corner of 8th Avenue and Oak Street, said Carrie Swarts, the market manager. The Tuesday Farmer’s Market starts on May 3 and goes until October 28, at the same location from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The summer market starts starts on June 5, lasting until September 25, and is on Thursdays from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at 295 East 5th Ave.. There is also a winter market, which just ended. In other words, there are more than plenty of opportunities to buy fresh produce from a farmer at nearly any time of the year, especially during the spring and summer.
As for natural markets, Capella Market is a great option for buying high-quality produce. Capella’s website explains that it has “a great relationship with Organically Grown Company, a Eugene-based regional wholesaler that purchases 90 percent of its produce directly from the organic farms that grow it.” It buys directly from local farms as well, especially during the peak growing season. The market is located on the corner of 25th Avenue and Willamette Street and open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Some other organic and natural foods markets include Sundance at 748 East 24th Ave., New Frontier Market at 1101 West 8th Ave. and Market of Choice on 1960 Franklin Blvd.