Farmers' Market Frenzy!

Cherry blossoms. Daffodils. Tulips. It can only mean one thing, right?

Yes…it's farmers' market season! The Portland Farmers' Market at PSU has already opened its regular season after being mobbed by eager shoppers in its first attempt at a year-round schedule. The city's six other year-round markets are gearing up to start their regular weekly schedules and will be popping up here and there over the next few weeks.

Here are a few bits and pieces of market news that have come in over the transom:

• Beaverton Farmers' Market opens Sat., May 12, and is celebrating its 25th anniversary this season with more than 200 vendors, including 18 that are new to the market this year. Check the website for anniversary events. Saturdays, 8:30 am-1:30 pm. On SW Hall Blvd. between Third and Fifth Sts., Beaverton. 503-643-5345.
• Hillsboro Farmers' Market opens Sat., April 28, and is celebrating its 30th anniversary this season. Saturdays, 8 am-1:30 pm. In historic downtown Hillsboro on Main St. and 2nd Ave., one block NW of the 3rd Ave. MAX station. 503-844-6685.
• Kenton Farmers' Market, a brand new market in the Portland Farmers' Market fold, opens Fri., June 1. Fridays, 3 pm-7 pm. On N McClellan St. at Denver Ave. near the Kenton/N Denver Ave. MAX Station.
• Gladstone Farmers' Market opens Sat., June 2, with new hours from 10 am to 4 pm. 580 Portland Ave., Gladstone. 503-756-6477.

Sadly, I also received news that the Interstate Farmers' Market decided to cease operations at the end of its 2011 season. It will be missed!

And don't forget to check out the GoodStuffNW Oregon Farmers' Market Schedule for a comprehensive listing of farmers' markets with dates, hours, maps and links to your favorite market. And please let me know if I've missed any!

In Season NW: Open for Business

This Sunday you might be celebrating spring with chocolate bunnies and a hunt for dyed eggs. You might be going to church in your best hat. Or dancing around a maypole. Or even celebrating International Workers' Day.

Me? Instead of buying a new frock, I'll be welcoming spring by attending one of the several farmers' markets opening in the next few days, stuffing my shopping bag with pea shoots, nettles, fiddleheads and other spring things:

• Hollywood Farmers' Market, Sat., April 30, 8 am-1 pm: A test run of the proposed Winter Market that will take over after the regular season ends, it will pilot a proposed year-round market in Hollywood. The regular market season opens Sat., May 7. NE Hancock between 44th & 45th Ave.
• Hillsboro Saturday Farmers' Market, Sat., April 30, 8 am-1:30 pm: This market reminds me of the markets in France where the farmers gather in the middle of town and neighbors come to shop and gossip. Great vendors, wonderful local feeling. On Main Street and 2nd Avenue, one block northwest of the Third Avenue MAX station.
• Hillsboro Sunday Farmers' Market, Sun., May 1, 10 am-2 pm: The second of Hillsboro's markets will open in its location at Orenco Station this season with produce, arts and crafts and live music. In the parking area between Orenco Station Parkway and NE 61st Avenue, just off Cornell Road.
• King Portland Farmers' Market, Sun., May 1, 10 am-2 pm: This popular neighborhood market launches its third season with new vendors and full schedule of events. NE 7th & Wygant between NE Alberta & Prescott in the parking lot adjacent to King Elementary School.
• Buckman Portland Farmers' Market, Thurs., May 5, 3-7 pm: A lively and diverse group of vendors, plus its afternoon hours, makes this market an eastside favorite. SE 20th & Salmon between SE Belmont & Hawthorne in the parking lot of Hinson Baptist Church.

Look for a complete schedule of Portland and Willamette Valley farmers' markets on the Oregon Farmers' Market page.