Follow WNC 380 High St.(503)362-8667

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Salem Saturday Market

Posted by Salem Man
Going green doesn't have to be a gigantic life changing experience. Installing solar panels on your roof, riding the bus to work and buying carbon offsets will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions but one thing you can do that is really easy is buying food directly from farmers. When you buy a strawberry grown in Oregon, the amount of diesel fuel burned in bringing that fruit to market is much less than a strawberry grown in California. It's also fresher. People in Salem are seeing the benefits of a local diet and are making trips to local farmers' market a part of their produce buying routine. The Salem Saturday Market and the Wednesday Farmers' Market are growing nicely here in the middle of the fertile Willamette Valley. Organic is the norm on Saturday as you stroll through booths stocked full of fresh picked produce. When I arrive, I almost always buy vegetables from the first stand I walk up to, because every farmer has great products. It's easy to get carried away because the prices are comparable or better than what you get at the grocery store. I've also found that because the produce is fresher, it last longer than the grocery store products. One of the cucumbers I purchased made it into a salad a week after I got it from the market. There's a lot of non farm vendors showcasing their food, artwork and crafts. I ate at this little Peruvian Food stand called Maty's where a nice couple sold me a tamal for $4. Wrapped in a banana skin, this Latin dish made for a delicious light lunch, quick and easy to eat as I sat in the summer sun. Both the Saturday and Wednesday markets will be open through October this year.

Saturday Market
9am-3pm May through Oct.
At the corner of Summer and Marion Street NE

Wednesday Farmer's Market
10am-2p May through Oct.
Chemeketa Street between High and Liberty NE


at 7:46 AM
Labels:

10 comments:

  1. I think we've been to the Saturday and Wednesday Markets more this year than any other. We always bump into someone we know, which is fun.
    The last time we went on Saturday we ate at the Canby Asparagus Farm booth. Liseanne and I both bought a chicken quesadilla and N had a beef burrito. I loved the option of the fresh vegetables. Kinda cuts down on that heart attack factor, right?
    ReplyDelete
  2. You can get local vegetables here that are cheaper and much better than any grocery store in town. I walked out of there last week with a huge bag for $10 and it fed two people all week
    ReplyDelete
  3. These markets are one of the neat things about Salem and the surrounding communities. I hope it continues to grow.
    ReplyDelete
  4. The market has really grown over the 10 years in existance. There are about 300 vendors now. Not only is it a great place for plants and produce but also hand crafted one of a kind items ideal for gifts. I personally love the veggie breakfast omlet from the Canby Asparagus booth. It's huge and enought for 2 easily. They also have a Holiday Gift Market December 13 & 14 in the Jackman-Long Building at the Oregon State Fairgrounds SUNDAY ONLY - Bring 3 cans of food and receive FREE PARKING. http://www.salemsaturdaymarket.com/
    ReplyDelete
  5. Today was the first official Saturday Market for the season, but as the years before, not much is available since the veggie season hasn't really started. I stopped by for a hot dog but the regular hot dog guy wasn't there. This wonderful smell was in the air from one of the mexican food stands. I completely forgot to look at the name, but it's the one with all the yellow signs. I see them there every year but always opted for the hot dog. I was truly missing out! I got one of their chicken vegetable quesadillas (I think I butchered the spelling of that one) for $8 and was it massive. As hard as I tried, I just couldn't finish it. The assortment of grilled veggies, chicken and cheese in between two homemade tortillas complemented each other very well. There were grilled bell peppers, onions, pea pods, broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini and I'm sure more that I can't remember right now. The cheese was thrown directly onto to grill for a bit and then mixed with the chicken and veggies before being grilled between the tortillas. So yummy!
    ReplyDelete
  6. Ah, yes! :>) That would be Canby Asparagus Farms booth. There's a link to their site in the Wine and Food Fest post. I believe they have a restaurant in Milwaukie where you can buy many varieties of tamales.
    ReplyDelete
  7. If you want a really good hot dog at the market try Schmidty's German meats and sausages. She has been selling at the market for over 10 years now. They have a frankfurter called a bockwurst that looks like a curved foot long. They also have bratwurst and some other one, maybe a country sausage? They are a local meat packer here in Salem specializing in Meat Packs, Bacon, ham, Custom Cutting, Custom Smoking, Game Processing, German Sausage, Gluten Free Sausage, Handcrafted Sausage & Meats, Locker Beef, Wrap & Process. I've also had their jerky, pepperoni sticks, ham and bacon. Once I bought a smoked ham hock and made a wonderful lentil soup w/ it at the cafe.

    The "other" hot dog stand there is called "Mikes". I was at the market on Saturday and noticed he wasn't there as well. He buys cheap hotdogs from a warehouse store and sells them. There is no comparison. Both vendors have a booth at the Wednesday market as well which starts in May. You can get info about some vendors at www.salemsaturdaymarket.com by clicking on vendors.

    Starting in May look for us (www.queenoftartsbakerycafe.blogspot.com) at the Market. We will have a double reserved booth in spots 50 & 51 right next to the Canby Asparagus booth. Along with our fresh baked goodies (see our website for varieties) we will be offering some lunch choices this year as well. We will have plenty of coffee & iced tea on hand. We get our grind from the folks at Cape Foul Weather coffee co. They have a booth at the market.

    BTW I LOVE the veggie omelet at the Canby Asparagus booth.
    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh sweet mama! That sounds like a perfect lunch to me. Some delicious mexican food and then a scrumptious baked goodie from Queen of Tarts. I can't wait for May!!
    ReplyDelete
  9. We're full this year! Looking to expand to someplace to allow us more vendors. All the fresh veggies and fruits are in, as well as lots of fresh meats (pork, beef, buffalo), baked goods, and local creameries making yummy cheeses. So come down and take a look, you won't be disappointed.
    ReplyDelete
  10. Thats awesome anonymous. I remember when I was in college back in 2000 and the Saturday market was just starting. It was so small, just a baby. Now its such a great place to spend your Saturday...so many events, vendors. Great work!!
    ReplyDelete

What do you think? Please keep your comments civil. Personal attacks are not welcome and do not lead to constructive or even interesting discussion. If you believe a restaurant is in violation of county ordinances please bring that matter to the county health department at (503) 588-5346

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

Other Reviews