It may seem counter-intuitive that there’s fresh produce available in the arid high desert climate, but year-round, visitors and locals alike can find fresh produce, locally-farmed meats and more in many of Central Oregon’s communities.
Sourcing from local farms and ranches, and other parts of the northwest outside of Central Oregon’s growing season, a strong collective of businesses and nonprofits offer sustainably-grown, fresh produce and locally-sourced products. Every day of the week in Central Oregon, you can access fresh produce and products from local and regional farms and businesses. Expectedly, some of these operate only during the active growing season, but some are year-round indoor businesses. If you’re looking for fresh, local food in the Bend, Oregon area, rest assured there’s a place to find it, every day of the week.
Most vendors now can use some sort of mobile electronic purchasing software to make buying easy, but be prepared with cash just in case! Notably, most markets and food stands also support food equality, accepting public food assistance programs that make healthier food accessible to all.
Farmers Markets in Bend, Oregon
Two regular farmers markets are an integral part of the Bend, Oregon culture and community. May through October, you can enjoy meandering through these markets, where not only can you browse fresh produce, but take in live music, and explore the eclectic fun food and artisan booths of local vendors to boot.
A Bend tradition for nearly 20 years, Bend Farmer’s Market has a boardwalk feel as market booths and vendors line Brooks Alley adjacent to Drake Park downtown. Here, you can shop for in-season berries, fruit and vegetables, talk with local ranchers about their lamb, beef, fish, and other meats. You can also find vibrant flower bouquets and artisanal products.
Northwest Crossing Farmers Market
Bring more than one bag! This vibrant market is beloved by Bend locals and visitors. Set in Northwest Crossing’s center of restaurants and boutique shops, you can find a cornucopia of seasonal produce, locally-raised meats, fresh eggs and cheese. As you meander, enjoy tasty food from one of the eclectic food carts and booths. You’ll have a hard time leaving without your hands full of handmade items, beautiful flower bouquets and more.
Redmond, Oregon Farmers Market
Redmond Farmers Market Centennial Park
Since 2011, this market offers farm-fresh Central Oregon produce, organic eggs and meat, baked goods, artisan booths, fresh flowers and plants and more.
Schoolhouse Produce Black Butte Ranch Farm stand
Schoolhouse has been selling local and organic produce since 2008. Hosting a seasonal farm stand at Black Butte Ranch next to the general store, they operate a quaint, brick-and-mortar, all-season store in Redmond. In addition to produce and meats, they also offer locally-made products, beers, wines and cheeses.
Other Central Oregon Farmers Markets
Sisters Farmers Market Fir Street Park
Sustained by a passionate community focused on partnerships with local farmers and artisans, The Sisters Farmers Market warmly hums with a good-neighbor vibe. Right off of Main Street in Fir Park, they host live music and interactive kids’ activities while shoppers can browse an average of 28 booths featuring local veggies, pantry staples, and arts and crafts.
Worth an afternoon to saunter among the locals. Amid a flea-market type atmosphere, there is some local ranch meat and fresh produce available, and artisan booths to enjoy.
Prineville CROP Farmers Market Stryker Park
Crooked River Open Pastures (CROP) is a cooperative that puts on this farmers market featuring the fresh produce and local products of the Crook County area. A 45-minute drive from Bend, visitors can enjoy live music while they shop for fresh fruit and vegetables, eggs, locally-raised meats and crafts.
Produce Stands and Food Cooperatives in Central Oregon
Aside from the growing season’s weekly markets, there are many more Central Oregon businesses that sell fresh produce and locally-farmed products, some year-round.
Run by a previous owner of Ryan’s Produce in Redmond, Vegetable Man is a 30-year institution for many locals. This seasonal stand features either certified organic, or sustainably-grown on small farms that use organic practices. To offer a longer season of fresh produce, they source from other areas like California and Idaho. Vegetable Man also frequents the Bend farmers markets, and has a sister location in La Pine, Oregon, 20 minutes south of Sunriver Resort.
An indoor farmer’s market in Bend that delivers local produce, meats and products year-round, Locavore is a passionate non-profit founded in 2009. Locavore partners with local farms and ranchers with a mission of building a locally-sustained, ecologically-stable food economy. They also are active in the community through education, as well as offering farm-to-table special events.
Walkable from downtown Bend on the west side, Paradise Produce has been a favorite fruit and vegetable stand for more than a decade. Their curated, small selection of excellent quality, local and organic produce.
This outdoor produce stand started in 1998, and operates April/May through October. Tumalo Farm Stand works with local and regional farmers to offer high quality fruits and vegetables at an affordable price. They also offer farm boxes that feature different produce as it comes into season.
Farm2Friends
Based in Redmond, Oregon, Farm2Friends is a membership-based cooperative that creates customized boxes of locally-raised produce and locally-made products, and delivers them to communities. Deliveries are arranged on specific days to communities throughout the Central Oregon region including: Terrebonne, Crooked River Ranch, Metolius, Culver, Alfalfa, Sisters, Tumalo, and Prineville.
We all benefit from the bounty of Central Oregon’s options for farmers markets, where we can find fresh produce and local products year-round. What better reason to eat healthier and connect with others than by supporting Central Oregon farmers, makers and communities.
Read more at VisitCentralOregon.com
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