On behalf of the members and the staff of the Salem Saturday Market, we want to thank all of our patrons, members and the community for supporting our markets.   We are a place where over 160 of the smallest, underfunded, incredibly passionate businesses in Oregon come to try and make a living.   In America the average age of farmers is 55+  yet  we provide a market for many young farmers and young families working multiple jobs to follow their vision.  We have immigrants that have left fled terrible repression to make a life in a foreign land.

People make a big deal about small business incubators as new idea.  We’ve been one for over 15 years.  With your support, we’ll continue for many years.

Excerpted from the Oregonian:

By proclamation of Gov. John Kitzhaber, this is Oregon Farmers Market Week, which coincides with the 13th annual National Farmers Market Week. The USDA says that nationwide there are more than 7,000 farmers markets, 160 of which are in Oregon. The Oregon Farmers Markets Association adds that the number of the state’s farmers markets has doubled in the past 10 years. 

OFMA Board President Rebecca Landis says farmers markets are much more than just a place to buy produce. “They provide a place for people of all backgrounds to enjoy a common social space, share in the community of good food, and support local businesses, food producers and farmers.”