I just finished reading Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life, by Poisonwood Bible author Barbara Kingsolver. So I’ve got food on my mind.
Kingsolver’s eye-opening first-person account of her family’s one-year commitment to eating only food produced in their community or raised on their farm (which also incorporates disheartening, often hard-to-swallow facts about the food industry) has convinced me to make more of an effort to buy locally.
Luckily, now is the perfect time to do so: Summer is the season for farmers’ markets, and Central Oregon is blessed with a bounty of them. Here’s a closer look at the main markets in the region:
Bend Farmers’ Market: One of Oregon’s leading farm-direct marketplaces brings together growers and producers with people in search of fresh, local, healthful foods and agricultural goods. EachWednesday from 3-7 p.m, through Oct. 8. Downtown Bend in the Brooks Street alleyway behind the Tower Theater.
NorthWest Crossing Saturday Market: Fresh produce, meats, cheeses, eggs, flowers & handcrafted items, plus food & drink. The market stage features talented local, regional & international entertainers; during the “Market Spotlight,” guest chefs serve up tasty bites, & wellness & garden experts share new ideas. Each Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., through Sept. 20, Northwest Crossing, Bend.
Cascade Summer Street Fair: Fare from area farms and ranches, plus a swap meet, antiques & collectibles, crafts, plants, a petting zoo, pony rides, live music & food-truck fare. Each Saturday from 8 a.m.-4 p.m., through September. Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center, Redmond.
Redmond Farmers’ Market: Locally grown produce, artisan foods, crafts and live music. Each Tuesday from 3-6 p.m, throughSept 30. Centennial Park, 7th & Evergreen.
Sisters Farmers’ Market: Food and music festival includes locally grown plants, produce and foods, plus local crafters; a different local musician or group performs each week. Each Friday from 3-6 p.m., through Sept. 26. Barclay Park.
About the Author
Lisa Broadwater, GRI, CDPE, is a Central Oregon-based real estate professional who specializes in listing and selling homes, especially in Sisters, Tumalo, Bend and Redmond.