Q&Q: Lane County Farmers Market

How long has Lane County Farmers Market been serving the Eugene area?

Lane County Farmers Market (LCFM) has been in operation for just over 40 years. We are Eugene’s largest farmers market, providing locally grown foods from over 85 farmers and food artisans. Our markets run 11 months of the year, and all items are grown or made in Oregon.

Tell us about your new building, and how will that change LCFM going forward?

The new Farmers Market Pavilion and Plaza at 8th and Oak is a beautiful space that LCFM is excited to call its permanent home. The farmers market has needed more space for years, but it was important to remain at 8th and Oak, the location of Eugene’s very first farmers market, and next to its sister market the Eugene Saturday Market. The new pavilion and plaza provide expanded space and room for our membership to grow, as well as an indoor vending area that will make selling and shopping in the cold, rainy “shoulder seasons” (February – March, and October – December) much more attractive to both vendors and customers. Large roll-up doors on the pavilion create an easy connection to outdoor areas. Trees planted across the plaza will provide shade as they mature, and the entire area will be much more conducive to gathering, socializing, shopping, and engaging with growers and producers. We hope the plaza will create a more active community space in the heart of downtown. 

What do you have planned during Oregon22, and how can the community participate?

We are activating the new space by hosting Saturday and Sunday farmers markets on the weekends of July 16-17 and July 23-24. We’ll also have an evening market with prepared food and food artisan vendors on Wednesday, July 20th as part of a “Tastes of Oregon” food walk event that the City of Eugene is planning. 

How do you anticipate Oregon22 will positively impact the launch of the Pavilion? 

We’re excited to have visitors from all over the world experience the agricultural bounty of our area! The quality and variety of food grown and produced here in Oregon is truly amazing, and the pavilion provides an impressive setting for our bustling farmers market. It will be a beautiful space for visitors to explore, and we hope that the Oregon22 event will bring new awareness to our farm and food artisan’s businesses that are producing such great products. 

What is your hope for the future of Lane County Farmers Market?

That the market continues to thrive at its new home, strengthening our local food system through providing support for our farmers and food artisans, and nourishing our community through good food and social and educational engagement. 

Is LCFM looking for any support from the Eugene Community?

One of the best ways to support Lane County Farmers Market is to choose to eat and shop local! Buying your weekly groceries from our farmers and food artisans at the market helps to keep our local food system healthy and strong, and we hope the community will love shopping with us at our new home. More information can be found at lanecountyfarmersmarket.org