Asparagus changes hands at the Maxwell Market on the Hermiston farmers market’s opening day on May 26, 2022. This market is held Thursdays, 4-8 p.m. near Bi-Mart.

EASTERN OREGON — It’s finally starting to feel like summer, and that means vegetables, fruit and more are showing up at farmers markets across Eastern Oregon.

We encourage you to visit as many of these local markets as possible this season — each one has different offerings and a different vibe.

We caught up with several market managers to hear how the season is going so far, and also compiled a handy list to save with all the market details.

Happy shopping!

Baker City

The Baker City Farmers Market has moved to a new day, a new location and has slightly different hours this year.

The new spot is Central Park in downtown Baker City — directly east of Resort Street from the market’s previous location at Court Plaza.

The market will run from 4-7 p.m. on Thursdays through Oct. 13. Updates are posted on Facebook and www.bakercityfarmersmarket.com.

Central Park can be accessed from Resort Street, as well as along the Leo Adler Parkway (access points are off Washington and Valley avenues).

“Walk down the path and come to the market,” said Jen Hettum, market board member.

She said the new location will hopefully encourage market shoppers to stick around a bit longer.

“Come down, get a tamale, listen to music and sit in the grass,” she said.

Echo

Events are a cornerstone of the Echo Market, which runs the third Saturday of each month from 4-7 p.m. Organizer Teres Fair said the Echo Market brings a hometown feel alongside vendor booths.

“As far as the markets go, we’re more of a destination market where people come and spend the evening,” she said. “It’s a community environment where everyone is welcome. We want people to come down and enjoy those three hours: Enjoy the market, let the kids enjoy the games, get a bite to eat.”

This year, the Echo Market is focusing on agriculture advocacy and will feature an “Ask a Farmer” booth where visitors can ask farmers questions about the industry. There will also be kids activities, petting zoos and live music.

“We have a big market in a small town. That’s kind of our tagline,” Fair said.

Joseph

The Wallowa County Farmers Market is held Saturdays in the Stein Distillery parking lot in Joseph.

The site, 604 N. Main St., provides ample parking and is close to Joseph’s downtown businesses. The Market is open 9 a.m.-2 p.m. and draws produce growers, prepared food, crafts, jewelry, gifts and household wares.

Throughout the summer there will be music most Saturdays, said President Caitlin Rushlow.

“Our goal is to have music as often as possible,” Rushlow said.

Building Healthy Families will have a kids day, the shortcake and pie sales are back as well as a cider press in the fall, and Rushlow said her board of directors is planning the group’s Harvest Dinner fundraiser.

“Check our social media sites, Facebook and Instagram for more details and schedules,” Rushlow said.

The market can be found on Facebook and Instagram, with full information at www.wallowacountyfarmersmarket.com.

The market supports the co-op booth again this year — an opportunity for backyard gardeners to off-load extra produce or for those just getting their feet wet as a vendor.

New this year is Manager Jessica Bogard, formerly the La Grande Farmers Market manager. To reach her, email wallowacountyfarmersmarket@gmail.com.

La Grande

The La Grande Farmers Market, managed by Candi Nielson, is open now and runs through Oct 15.

“It a gathering place for the community to come together,” Nielsen said. “It’s a very vibrant, very welcoming space with a variety of vendors, live music. You can get anything from a donut to a bunch of carrots. It’s just a great place.”

The market is located at downtown La Grande’s Max Square, corner of Adams Avenue and Fourth Street, and open twice a week, Tuesdays 3-6 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m.-noon.

Due to a little wetter and colder spring, the produce right now includes a variety of leaf vegetables, early spinach, radishes, turnips, asparagus, flower baskets and baked goods, Nielson said.

Arts and crafts include ceramics, jewelry, artisan-designed textile products, tie-dyed T-shirts, scarfs and hand-knitted hats.

“Honey and farm fresh eggs will be available, and some meat vendors with bacon or other pork products or grass-fed beef,” Nielson said. “There is also herbs, mint starter plants and parsley, which are fairly early.”

Shoppers are encouraged to bring their own plastic or canvas shopping bags or baskets.

“We accept debit and credit cards for our separate market tokens, the same as cash,” she said.

The market will host an event every month.

There will be live music on most Saturdays, but Nielson is looking for a music sponsor because they do pay the musicians, and they need to cover the licensing fee. The La Grande Farmers Market is a Mutual Benefit Corporation with members, and the organization does apply for grants, but they are also looking for sponsors. For details on becoming a sponsor or applying to be a vendor, call Nielson at 541-805-4572, email her at manager@lagrandefarmersmarket.orr or visit www.lagrandefarmersmarket.org.

Pendleton

Live music is a staple of the Pendleton Farmers Market, each Friday downtown on Main Street.

“The market has been really great so far this year,” said Cheryl Montgomery, Pendleton’s market manager. “We’ve expanded to the 400 block (of Main Street) this year, so we have two blocks, and we’re always excited to see new vendors.”

This year, multiple markets, including Pendleton, are also participating in the Double Up Food Bucks program, where families with SNAP benefits can spend $20 in SNAP and receive a $20 match to go toward SNAP-eligible items, including fresh produce, bread and eggs.

“People who have those benefits can come down and spend their dollars at the market for the fresh fruits and vegetables, for the breads, and the fresh jellies and jams. They can get those items just like they could at the grocery store,” Montgomery said.

The Pendleton Farmers Market this summer has multiple events scheduled, including live music and kids activities.

“I’d encourage everyone to come down to the market. It’s a great Friday event,” Montgomery said. “We look forward to seeing everybody.”

Here’s a handy guide to save with all the market details. Markets typically run through October. For updates, look up websites or search for Facebook pages or chamber sites.

Athena — Tuesday Market

• 4-7 p.m. Tuesdays

• Dugger Park, Main Street

Baker City

• 4-7 p.m. Thursdays

• Central Park

Boardman

• 5-8 p.m. Mondays

• The Farmer’s Cup, 450 Laurel Lane

Canyon City — Grant County Farmers Market

• 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays (opens June 18)

• Washington Street

Echo

• 4-7 p.m. on third Saturday of the month

• South Dupont Street

Halfway

• 9 a.m.-noon Saturdays

• next to Halfway Whimsical and across from the US Bank

Hermiston — Maxwell Market

• 4-7 p.m. Thursdays (no market during Umatilla County Fair week)

• 225 S. First Place, Maxwell Siding Pavilion

Heppner — Willow Creek Farmers Market

• 4-7 p.m. Thursdays (opens June 23)

• Heppner City Park, 444 N. Main St.

Irrigon

• 6-8 p.m. Tuesdays

• Irrigon Event Plaza

Joseph — Wallowa co. Farmers Market

• 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays

• Stein Distillery parking lot, 604 N. Main St.

La Grande

• 3-6 p.m. Tuesdays, 9 a.m.-noon Saturdays

• Max Square, corner of Adams Avenue and Fourth Street

Milton-Freewater

• Wednesdays 4-7 p.m.

• Orchard Park, 1410 S. Main St.

North Powder

• 9 a.m.-noon Fridays

• Community Park

Pendleton

• 4-7 p.m. Fridays

• Main Street

Umatilla

• 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturdays (no market June 25 during Landing Days Festival)

• Village Square Park

Union

• 5-8 p.m. on last Friday of the month

• Catherine Creek Community Center, 667 Main St.

Wallowa — Lower Valley Farmers Market

• 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays (year-round)

• indoors at 110 E. First St.

At farmers markets throughout Oregon shoppers with EBT cards can take advantage of the Double Up Food Bucks program. Swipe your EBT card for $20 of market tokens to buy SNAP eligible foods. The program will then match up to $20 a day in additional fruits and vegetables from your farmers’ market vendors. Ask the market manager about this $20 for $20 match, doubling up on fruits and vegetables for your family.