Fabulous Farmers Markets – Eugene, OR
“If you’re afraid of butter, use cream.”
Julia Child (1912-2004)
With the end of our happy coastal escapades we headed back to Eugene for what was supposed to be a quick skip & a hop of a visit before we headed south (things didn’t turn out as planned, but you’ll just have to wait for that story). Our biggest goal coming back here was to hit the Saturday Farmer’s Market, the reason being that…well…WE LOVE FOOD.
Now, not all love food as much as we do, I appreciate that, and not all think as fondly of butter as we do (Julia Child may well have been our spiritual culinary soul-mate), I appreciate that too. But I’d care to venture that few can withstand the tingle of excitement from a truly fabulous farmers markets.
We always make a point of trying to support local produce and farms (in fact we’ve even driven “the beast” directly onto farms from Eatwild -> our favorite link), and those who know us will happily support that we’re quite passionate about how we eat. The market here in Eugene started in 1915 and is one of the biggest and best we’ve seen, jam-packed with food and produce that is simply gorgeous. We simply HAD to make it through here on a Saturday to catch the goodies.
And it certainly didn’t disappoint. From mushroom stalls to pastured meats and eggs, potatoes to greens, stands simply overflowing with crisp vegetables, raw honey, custom-roasted coffee and crafts. There’s simply something for everyone here. We managed to spend a few hours walking the stalls and chatting with the farmers, loading up no less than three times before we decided we’d had enough.
As it turns out we’ll get to spend another Saturday drooling over the produce here in Eugene, but I’m going to save that exciting tale for my next post. In the meantime I’ve just got to decide how to cook my fresh chanterelle mushrooms…hmmm…butter or cream…it’s a tough choice 🙂
That looks like the Nirvana of farmer’s markets! Wish I was there. 🙂
This is definitely one of the better ones I’ve seen!
Nina
Wish we had farmer’s markets like that in this part of Texas.
The best farmers market we found in Texas was in Austin, TX, but there were lots of spots we travelled that didn’t have any.
It’s a growing trend…hopefully you’ll get one close to ya soon!
Nina
Oh how we love Farmer’s Markets! There is one here in Asheville. I need to look up what days it is open. Yours looks awesome! Fresh everything….YUMMMMMM!
Oh you MUST! Asheville has GREAT produce. We went to a few farms there and got some spectacular stuff.
Enjoy the area! One of our favorites.
Nina
you are right that is a wonderful farmers market…one we have visited several times…but to add to your lists when you go to cleveland you must go to west side market…it will blow you away…and if you ever decide to get to the big apple Union Square market in NYC on saturdays is also awesome…it was saturday ritual via subway….
Will travel for food….so those two on our list of “must sees”!
I’ll add another one to yours. The farmer’s market in Santa Fe, NM…that was a beauty too!
Nina
I like to think of myself as a foodie too…but I had never seen brussell sprouts on the stalk before! Pretty cool. Only YOU could make veggies looks so beautiful with your pictures!
Julie
Thanks…the brussel sprouts are pretty cool. One of the “wierder” veggies out there!
Nina
Eugene’s farmers market is our favorite in the Pacific NW. Other contenders are the farmer’s market in Bellingham, WA (a dedicated space) and the Saturday farmers market in Port Townsend (smaller, by far, but oh so much fun! (and better prepared food). I agree with Jil that the West Side Market in Cleveland is worth the trip to Cleveland – though it is a totally different kind of market (I have some photos on my blog from last year’s visit). And then you can go to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at the same time…
We’re just across the Cascased from you, in Bend. VERY cold here today, and we were in FRESH SNOW when we went to hike at Newberry Crater!! Didn’t get much hiking done. 🙁
I’ll go check out your shots on the blog!
Yeah, I saw your latest post on the snow over there. Looks like winter came fast and furious. Hoping we get another “hot spell” before it sets in.
Nina
The picture of the carrots and beets was beautiful. They looked good enough to eat. lol We have yet to find a good Farmer’s Market but I haven’t given up yet.
Oh keep trying for sure. We’ve seen many good ones, even in small towns too (Anza Borrego comes to mind…a GREAT farmers market with only a handfull of stalls). They’re out there!
Nina
We love to eat, but we are more gourmands than gourmets. We have visited some farmers markets, but they were mostly pathetic. And that was before we saw your report on this one. Now ours seem even worse than pathetic. A few cruddy and worn-out looking things that I wouldn’t touch of they were free! OK, there have been a few good offerings, but darn few. Gotta get back to Eugene.
It’s definitely worth the stop here to see the market. Still, I’m kinda jealous at your warm weather down south now….it’s a bit chilly here!
Nina
Wonderful pictures, as always Nina. Thanks ! Made my mouth water for the uber fresh local veggies. We enjoyed the many local preserves and jams when visiting the Willamette valley too. Their potted flowers are so healthy – they last forever. And fresh lavender …… ohh my!
Are you familiar with http://harvesthosts.com ?
You pay a small annual membership fee and have online access to the list of participating farmers and wine makers all over the US who will allow you to stay on their properties in your RV. Most of these locations are not listed as RV or campgrounds, so its another great resource when planning overnights on the road.
Candace,
YES thanks! I’ve heard of harvest hosts and it’s something we’re planning to do next year as we travel north into the NW again. A GREAT resource.
Nina
Oh how I love farmer’s markets! Where we’ve been living for the past 2 years has been a little food sad, especially coming from upstate NY where one of the oldest year round farmer’s markets resides. We can’t wait to hit the road & visiting farmer’s markets will always be on our list! 🙂
I’ve never been to the NYC market, but I’m sure it’s simply amazing! We DO get spoiled with food in spots like that.
Hoping you get on the road soon!
Nina
I think we need to start planning our travels around the location of good farmers markets! Now to convince Johnny…. lol
Oh do, do!! The food is soooo worth it!
Nina