This April, the Hillsdale Farmers’ Market is once again kicking off its tradition of local produce and products from Mom-and-Pop businesses all around Oregon. Every Sunday, from 9 am till 1 pm, you can find the market in the Rieke parking lot with all the variety and heart you can ask for when it comes to food, drinks, flowers, and more. 

Not only does the market mean a lot to the customers, but it’s an amazing opportunity for vendors to display their craft. “This is one of our strongest revenue streams,” said Xavier Entity, a vendor for the Deck Family Farm. “It’s a great way to get to know new customers and show people that there is a better option in sustainability.” 

Entity works alongside John and Christene Deck and their family at their 300-acre free-range farm in Junction City that opened in 2004. They specialize in meats like pork, chicken, beef and lamb, but they also sell eggs and honey. 

The people who come to the market are all looking for a way to not only fill their cupboards with delicious food, but to do so in a sustainable way. “It’s a magnet for people who really care about people and the planet,” said Entity. Even though it may not feel like it, this could be a great opportunity to take action for a greener planet, especially with Earth Day just passing by. 

Another benefit of shopping at the market is supporting small businesses instead of large corporations. “It’s a great community,” said Julia Goetz. “The people that are coming to these markets are getting their stuff from small businesses, which is inspiring to see.” Goetz works for the Portland Juice Co., which is based in Southeast Portland. The business is known for organic cold-pressed juices that offer a variety of healthy ingredients and juice cleanses.

The vendors emphasized that they love w the people who come to the market and the relationships/community you can build at there. “You do this for 22 years, the flowers become mundane, you see them all the time, and you even start to hate them,” said Kevin Herr. “But then, it’s the people that you meet.” Herr works alongside his mother and father and sells flowers from their 12-acre farm in Canby. He has worked at the market for 22 years, starting in middle school, and has been coming back ever since.

Spring is right around the corner, and so is the Hillsdale Farmers’ Market and all the produce they have to offer. If you want to show support for the planet and local businesses, this is a great way to do so while also meeting an amazing community of people right outside Ida B. Wells. “Everybody [at the market] looks out for each other,” said Goetz. “Everybody is in a good mood when they come to the market.”