The pro-fresh-ionals

ANDY ATKINSON PHOTOS / MAIL TRIBUNE

At the Growers Market in Medford, Jessica Stapp, left photo, and her 3-year-old twins Royal (white hat) and Avalon sample Vital Salts. Nick Hardage (right photo) buys plants from Ben Carder of Fry Family Farm.

Fresh produce is for sale at Barking Moon Farms booth at the growers market in Ashland.

PRO-FRESH-IONALS

Farmers’ markets allow local growers to connect with consumers

By Jim Flint

for the Mail Tribune

There were no fireworks heralding the opening of the Rogue Valley Growers and Crafters Markets in Ashland and Medford March 1. But there was a lot of celebrating going on as crowds thronged to the outdoor markets.

Shoppers were welcomed by booths brimming with tumbling bunches of fragrant herbs and veritable forests of dark leafy greens. Vendors sold bedding plants, flowers, freshly baked loaves of bread, organic meats, winter and early spring produce, artisan goods, handcrafted gifts and more.

Fans of the market love the ambience of shopping for a cornucopia of goods in an outdoor setting. There’s a sense of community as friends greet friends. And the frugal among them appreciate being able to buy one sprig of dill or get a bargain on a basket of slightly dented tomatoes.

In addition, there are educational moments for children, inspiration for meal planning, and buskers playing music or making balloon animals to add to the fun.

Hours at the Rogue Valley Growers and Crafters Market are 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesdays in Ashland at the National Guard Armory, 1420 E. Main St.; and 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursdays in Medford in Hawthorne Park, East Jackson and Hawthorne streets.

The Ashland market will move this summer, to a new location near Southern Oregon University. Watch for a future announcement and check for updates at rvgrowersmarket.com.

The Ashland Saturday market on Oak Street opened May 7.

The outdoor market season runs through the end of November. As the seasons change, so does the mix of offerings at the market, reflecting what is being freshly harvested locally at the time.

The mix of vendors is quite varied.

You’ll find bakeries such as Four and Twenty Blackbirds, Bright Star, Coquette, Windmill, Rise Up! and others.

Fans of the market love the ambience of shopping for a cornucopia of goods in an outdoor setting. There’s a sense of community as friends greet friends. And the frugal among them appreciate being able to buy one sprig of dill or get a bargain on a basket of slightly dented tomatoes.

SEE MARKETS, PAGE 13