Reviews for: Silverton Farmer's Market

I love the Silverton Farmer's market. Like many markets I've been to all over the country it promotes local farmers and food producers and the businesses that support them year round. Farmers markets are a great way to get a "taste" of a community, and local businesses are part of that. Regarding the greenness of the green store. I get really frustrated by people's whole foods perspective on what is green. "Going green" is the latest fad and has everyone rushing to the mall to buy the latest green products. Organic products at Walmart - its better then nothing but its almost laughable. Great, you can get organic garlic from China, but 3 local markets and a small farmer who cant afford certification went out of business b/c of it. That's rediculous. Of course going green is about reducing the use of chemicals, supporting organic etc.. Its also about building local self-sufficiency, creating communities that support our lives so we don't have to leave to get everything we need, rebuilding local skills and businesses and finding ways to keep our $$'s and jobs in our community. The green store is about all those things. It create opportunities for small business owners that would otherwise be shut out of the marketplace, it provides people with organic, handmade, and fairly traded products, it provides the community with things it needs and wants so they don't have to drive to Salem to get a gift, a haircut, organic snack bars, home made soup, etc. It is part of the network of small businesses that are making Silverton a sustainable place to live. it is creating community and a place for people to connect and build relationships. That sounds pretty green to me...

Hi, Molly here....past owner of Rolling Hills Bakery Cafe....weighing in with an opinion of which I have many as people who know me are acutely aware. This is a response to Carol who had misgivings about having the Green Store at the market. So....regarding a business at the market. Rolling Hills was a business and we enjoyed four years at the Saturday Market. Also...there is a bakery at the market right now. If it's food and it is locally produced it fits in the mission of our local Saturday Market. Regarding the "green-ness" of the Green Store. Even Life Source - only requires that products for their store need be 85% organic. So since the Green Store exceeds that percentage, I think we can feel safe that it is as Green as it needs to be. I think the concept behind the Green Store - promoting local entrepreneurs so they can test the market with their products without paying a lot of overhead is brilliant. How many people do you know who dream of creating a product but aren't able to open a store of their own? So I for one feel fortunate to have this outlet -the Green Store - for local producers right here in our little town. And kudos to our Saturday Market for the grand job the are doing promoting our community, our businesses and our farmers!!

I believe this is a point well taken. Making the decision of who is in the market and who is not has many challenges. We felt their presence would compliment the other vendors on a regular basis. Thank you for taking your time to bring this impression to our attention. Market Manager