We’re livin’ on the veg

Newport Farmers Market is pure, 24-carrot gold

By Leslie O’Donnell

For the TODAY

People carrying bags full of pastries, cut flowers, eggs, one-of-a-kind handmade crafts and early vegetables are a sure sign that spring has arrived — and that the Newport Farmers Market is open for the season.

The market opens Saturday, March 30, for a season that runs every Saturday until early December. Vendors offer something for everyone, ranging from freshly baked savory and sweet pastries to farm-fresh vegetables and fruit, as well as handmade crafts.

Admission is free, and the open-air market operates rain or shine. Pets on non-retractable leashes are welcome, and live music adds to the festive atmosphere.

Anja Chavez is vice president of the market’s board of directors and has been a member of the market since 2002. She is proud of how the market has grown during those years and points to the variety of items offered for sale and their appeal to both locals and visitors.

The second oldest farmers market in Oregon — Eugene takes first place — the Newport market opened in 1978 at the Lincoln County Fairgrounds under the auspices of the Farmer-to-Consumer Direct Marketing Act, which directed the Oregon State University Extension Service to get involved in farm-direct marketing by helping to organize local farmers’ markets. In Newport, the first market sold out in two hours.

Formerly housed in the parking lot of the Oregon National Guard Armory, the market has been at its current location by Newport City Hall for several years, visible to tourists passing by on Highway 101 and a regular Saturday morning stop for Newport residents.

The market has space for more than 60 vendors, including five hot food booths. The board tries to keep a 50-50 balance between produce and handcrafts, and vendors must grow or make what they are selling and must be in or near Lincoln County.

“There will be lots of produce at the opening day market,” Chavez said. “We’ll have most of our major farm vendors — Munoz, John Eveland’s Gathering Together Farm and V Family Farm, all from the nearby Willamette Valley.”

Gathering Together and Drahnacre Farms have been with the Newport market since its early days.

“We open so early in the season because the farmers come from the valley and the plants and trees are already blossoming,” Chavez said.

Fresh produce and berries are the most popular item for sale at the Newport market. But there are plenty of other items as well.

This year’s market will feature lots of baked goods, always a popular item, along with farm food products such as jams and jellies and pickles.

And crafts will be plentiful, too, including clothing of all types, photography, jewelry, tiles, wind chimes and the always popular beauty and health products.

So many vendors wish to exhibit their wares that the market had to introduce a cap on some items.

“Several years ago, we put a cap on every product category because at one point we had 16 jewelry makers, and that was too much,” Chavez said, adding that spaces for jewelry, clothing and health and beauty products fill up fast.

Among what’s new this year are an additional bakery, a whiskey distillery and a freeze-dried candy maker. All 65 vendor spots have been filled this year, although applications are still welcome in the event a space becomes available.

Chavez attributes the market’s ongoing success to local residents’ fondness for fresh produce and handmade crafts, as well as the market’s visibility to people traveling through town. “It’s definitely a tourist attraction,” she said. “And many of the vendors depend on income from the market.”

The market’s website points out that the weekly event gives local vendors and farmers a place to come together to celebrate the work of their hands.

“I love it,” Chavez said. “It brings residents out of their homes to meet other people and have something to do. You can meet someone for breakfast or lunch in our food court and, as a customer, you’re supporting local vendors and giving people the opportunity to be entrepreneurs. It’s the best way to bring a community together.”

The Newport Farmers Market will be held every Saturday from 9 am to 1 pm at the corner of Highway 101 and Angle Street. For more information and applications, go to newportfarmersmarket.org.