MID-VALLEY FARM STANDS

Farm Freshest

Oregon’s Willamette Valley is a farm-rich region that produces a bounty of fruits, vegetables, nuts, flowers, and nursery stock. In the past, a farm stand gave the grower an outlet to sell what they raised directly to the end consumer. Canners, picklers, and jam-makers counted on the roadside out- lets to buy fresh ingredients to preserve for the coming year.

The simple stand has evolved and now the Willamette Valley is home to elaborate, well-stocked markets. They still have farm-fresh products but many carry private-label sauces, jams and syrups, hanging flower baskets, vegetable starts, garden décor, and other goodies. Some serve sandwiches, ice cream, and desserts. Local farmers markets are a popular way for growers to sell their goods but it is equally fun for customers to travel the countryside and visit rural farm stands.

We scouted in five Valley counties and found 10 farm stands we wanted to share.

Benton County Gathering Together Farm

25159 Grange Hall Rd, Philomath gatheringtogetherfarm.com

Gathering Together Farm is a find for people passing by but a fixture for the locals. Many come for the fresh, organic produce but the farm stand also has a rustic restaurant serving lunch, dinner, and meals-to-go. They have a wood-fired pizza oven and carry products from other local growers.

Lane County

Thistledown Farms

91455 River Road, Junction City thistledownfarm.net

Linn County

Peoria Road Farm Market

33269 Peoria Rd SW, Corvallis facebook.com/peoriaroadfarmmarket

In addition to fresh fruit and produce, this market sells house-brand dressings, dips, pickles, syrups, and jams. They have a large selection of woven, market baskets; a must-have for farmers market regulars, and beautiful patio and garden décor pieces, many by local makers. They carry nursery stock and hanging baskets too.

Midway Farms

6980 US-20, Albany midwayfarmsoregon.com

Located where else but mid-way between Albany and Corvallis on US Highway 20, this charming stand is the only dedicated, gluten-free farm in Oregon. Open since 1998, they offer fruits and veggies grown with sustainability and best small-farm practices, and are a popular provider of CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) shares in the area. They offer summer farm experiences and internships for children and teens with information and registration on their webpage.

Thistledown Farms was established in 1981, and now has an upscale market selling melons, berries, and tree fruit. They offer veggies from leeks to lettuce, kohlrabi to kale, and parsley to pumpkins, all propagated from their own seed stock on 800 acres. The shop also carries grass-fed beef, hazelnuts, and baked goods. Their nursery has annuals, perennials, and starts.

Davis Family Farm

4380 NE Hwy 20, Corvallis facebook.com/DavisFamilyFarms

The Davis Family Farm stand is open yearround selling seasonal products from fruit to pumpkins to Christmas trees and wreaths. They offer U-pick strawberries and blueberries, and have a garden where shoppers can cut flowers by the stem. Visit their on-site greenhouses for a colorful selection of hanging baskets.

Johnson Farms

89733 Armitage Road, Eugene theyardfoodpark.com

Family-owned in Eugene since 1915, this is a no-spray farm specializing in berries including hard-to-find varieties like Loganberries and Tayberries. They feature 10 varieties of frozen berries sold year-round at the farm stand in 3-pound bags, perfect for cobblers and pies. Johnson Farms comes alive in the fall with wagon rides and an indoor haybale maze, and they sell pumpkins in every size from miniature to behemoth!

Marion County

EZ Orchards

5504 Hazelgreen Rd NE, Salem www.ezorchards.com

Family-owned and operated, this wellstocked store has many Oregon-sourced products as well as their own salsas, jams, and fruit butters. A donut-making operation keeps a counter full of fresh, mini donuts in seasonal flavors available at all times. Customers drive for miles to the Shortcake Shack for their best seller, strawberry shortcake… two sticky-thumbs up!

Bauman Farms

12989 Howell Prairie Rd NE, Gervais baumanfarms.com

Make a day of it at Bauman Farms, first with a stop at the bakery or lunch at the deli. Peruse the walls filled with their own pickled vegetables, condiments, sauces, fruit preserves, syrups, and nuts. Sample their selection of hard ciders and stroll the green houses filled with hanging baskets. Shop in the Garden Center or Country Store. Then grab some berries, pears, or apples to enjoy at home.

Jones Farm Produce

10325 River Rd NE, Salem jonesfarmproduce.com

Peaches are their specialty but employees at Jones Farm claim the scoops at their ice cream stand are the biggest around! They serve shortcakes, sundaes, and shakes too, with fresh, local fruit in season. Mixed berry half-flats are also a popular option with shoppers.

Polk County

Aspinwall's Fruit Stand & Produce

5152 Salem Dallas Hwy NW, Salem aspinwallsproduce.com

One hundred years and five generations have farmed the land that now grows strawberries and peaches. Aspinwall’s sells farm-to-freezer ice cream, shortcake, and milkshakes as well as featuring local suppliers like Carlton Meats. Also onsite is their full-service restaurant, Café 22 West (cafe22west.com) serving classic comfort food including produce from the farm. Fresh onion rings, anyone?