Go chair-y picking

There’s food, fun and even furniture at theTillamook Farmers Market

By Andrea McCabe

Oregon Coast TODAY

The Tillamook Farmers Market, located on the corner of Laurel Avenue and Second Street every Saturday until September 30, perfectly depicts the welcoming atmosphere of this coastal town. Enjoy weekly live music while shopping for local produce, homemade pastries, original arts and crafts and other authentic coastal products.

Sayde Walker has been the Tillamook Farmers Market Manager for six years since the chamber of commerce took over in 2017. What was once a market dwindling of vendors now flourishes with diverse choices. 

“We have created a really fun environment and atmosphere and have encouraged people to come hang out for the day,” Walker said. 

The central location draws many locals that frequent the market each week for fresh and local produce. 

“We get a lot of people that show up every single Saturday to do their shopping here,” Walker said. “We are a morning to afternoon market so you can come in the morning and shop, or in the afternoon. It is a very accessible time.”

The market offers family friendly deals and activities throughout the day. The Double Up food program provides an up to $20 match for Oregon’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to spend on fresh fruits and vegetables. Free kids activities offer engaging projects, such as rock painting and scavenger hunts, while parents shop. 

The location next to Highway 101 and Highway 6 attracts both locals and visitors to the market and businesses downtown.

“We have a really central accessible location which I think is important,” she said. “Really great walkability for downtown so you can shop the market and continue shopping downtown.”

Josi’s Farm owner Jaimie Josi enjoys the devoted regulars at her stand amidst the constant foot traffic throughout the summer. 

“We have a very loyal following for our farm stand,” she said. “A lot of them come here and also stop at the farm stand throughout the week.”

Their 88 acre beef and vegetable farm supplies produce to various farmers markets, local restaurants, at the food pantry and their own farm stand located on Josi’s Farm. Josi is also collaborating with a local preschool to offer farm to table produce for children.

“I love it when we get more clients locally,” she said. “Our food is being distributed to our community through lots of different streams.”

Amy Malta agrees that knowing where your food comes from is an important part of consumerism and community. Pitch and Plow Farms has been selling certified organic produce at the market for nine years.

 “This is such a close-knit community,” she said. “Everyone watches out for each other.”

Her love of the land and passion for fresh and local food can be seen in the abundance of produce she sells each week. 

“Just being able to be outdoors and be on the earth and watching things grow, being proud of what you have done,” she said. “Watching the other farmers do their thing. I wouldn't trade this life for anything.”

The Tillamook Farmers Market draws in many like Malta who have grown their passions and hobbies into a business. Ken Aufdermauer has built his hobby to become Bewley Creek Woodworking. He specializes in outdoor furniture contraptions, such as his transformable table bench. 

“Back when I was knee-high to a grasshopper I was pounding on nails, bending them over,” he said. “Ventured into what it is today.”

Aufdermauer constructs weekly products for customers at the market, many of whom are regulars. 

“I have a good product and it is well built,” he said. “I have a pretty good reputation for building pretty solid stuff and word gets out.”

While this is his last year selling woodwork at the market, he plans to continue to take clientele orders for products over the phone and on his website. 

“I would like to thank the community and my followers and people that have bought stuff,” he said. “Thanks for the good run.”

Walker notices the Tillamook Farmers Market allows many people to cultivate a budding passion into a successful business.

“The market gives local businesses that are too small for brick and mortar to do some product testing and get to know some customers and try out a new business venture,” he said. “We have some businesses downtown that started at the farmers market.”

Homemade bread and pastries, authentic Greek food, potted plants and seashell decorations are among other vendors found at the market. Sounds of live music mixed with the smell of fresh caramel corn is an experience not to be missed. 

The Tillamook Farmers Market is located at 200 Laurel Avenue on Saturdays until September 30 from 9 am to 2 pm. For more information go to tillamookchamber.org.