A Locavore Shopping Guide for Eugene

By: Michelle Locke | June 27 2011
Posted in Eugene - Find It - Eugene

Photo by: Flickr user Mr T in DC

Local farmers markets and small markets that locally-source their goods have experienced a surge of popularity in recent years. The desire to buy products grown and produced locally has created a demand for these locavore havens. Eugene happens to be a mecca for the eating local movement, but it can still be difficult to choose which markets to shop at…and to find which ones are closest!

The Lane County Farmers Market takes place in various locations, but it can usually be found downtown at 8^th & Oak. It's one of the largest farmers markets in the Eugene area, and has a wide selection of vendors, both nearby farmers and local food producers. You can read more about their vendors in the vendors section of their website. Some tasty highlights include Chocolate Decadence, featured as one of the best chocolate shops in Eugene here on The Local Dish, Marche Provisions (also located in Fifth Street Market), and Canby Asparagus Farms. This farmers market is held every Saturday (at 8^th Street, Oak and Park), every Tuesday (and 8^th and Oak), and every Thursday (at Mazzi’s in South Eugene, on East Amazon).

There's nothing as tasty as a vine-fresh tomato! Photo by: Michelle Locke

A great resource for finding the perfect farmers market for you – especially if you live on the outskirts of Eugene – is the Willamette Farm and Food Coalition, which is a community-based organization dedicated to creating a sustainable food system in Lane County. Through this organization, you can find a list of great farmers markets in Eugene and surrounding areas. They also offer a Locally Grown Guide for purchase, which informs consumers on the benefits of buying locally…and how and where they can get started.

If you need something ASAP and can’t wait for a farmers market day, another great place to buy local is Market of Choice, a chain with several locations in Eugene that's dedicated to being more locavore and sustainable than other grocery stores. They carry a wide variety of products produced and grown locally. You can read more about their efforts to be eco-friendly here.

When you really want to make a connecting to your food, and buy as local and fresh as possible, you can always go straight to the farms! Lone Pine Farms has a small market where they sell fresh produce including seasonal favorites like luscious strawberries and blueberries fresh off the vine. Check with your surround Eugene-area farms to find more that sell their own produce and meats - right next to where they're grown and raised.

Making the decision to buy as much food locally as possible is a big one. It means that grocery shopping will move from a one-stop experience to something that you take your time at, and an experience you'll savor. The best part of shopping locally is the ability to start conversations with vendors about the food you're consuming, and a make a real, heartfelt connection to your meals - from their beginnings to the delicious taste they leave in your mouth.

Michelle Locke lives and writes in Eugene, Oregon. She loves food, fashion, and the outdoors.