The Rogue Valley’s long-running and locally-loved growers markets have returned with fresh fruits and friendly faces.

Kicking off the season last week with its Tuesday market in Ashland, and Thursday market in Medford, the Rogue Valley Growers & Crafters Market is back until the end of November with plenty to check out.

The market brings out dozens and dozens of vendors offering a wide variety of goods from locally grown vegetables to olive trees and art, with hundreds of visitors gathering to meet and buy from local growers and crafters.

“The growers market is a community hub, not only for connecting consumers directly to small businesses, but also looking at the market as a place where you can come together,” said Nickole Schulz, manager of operations for the market. “It gives you a chance to connect with the magical, quality products made in the Rogue Valley.”

The Rogue Valley Growers & Crafters Market is currently holding two markets each week, with the third one on Saturdays set to begin in May.

The Tuesday market runs from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at ScienceWorks Hands-On Museum in Ashland, located at 1500 E. Main St. The Tuesday market is in its second year at the museum and will end on Nov. 25.

On Thursdays, the vendors offer their wares at Hawthorne Park, 501 E. Main St., in Medford from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and that market will run until Nov. 20. 

On May 3, the Saturday market opens up in downtown Ashland from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the 100 block of Oak St.

A Winter Market is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays, Dec. 2-23, at the Phoenix Civic Center and Phoenix Grange, located at the intersection of South Main Street and Second Street. Additional time, date and location details will be announced in October. 

“We are a growers market of over 150 members on average each week; during peak season we have about 80 to 100 vendors attending our largest market,” Schulz said. “And this year we have incredible new vendors from new and small farms.”

This season includes 10 new vendors. Those include: AB Crochet with crochet clothing and accessories; Applegoat Valley Farm offering goat cheese, pork and more; Allium Wood Fired Pizza Company bringing pizzas made with locally sourced ingredients and fermented poolish dough; Fermenta Lab offering fresh and fermented mushrooms as well as adaptogen elixirs; Freckled Fleurs with locally-grown floral arrangements and bouquets; Kids Unlimited: Pastabilities will offer pasta for sale to support Kids Unlimited’s alumni programs and job training; Sprout Savvy Farm bringing fresh micro greens; Sularis offering self care and wellness products; Sun Patch Farms with fresh and unique varieties of produce; and Raining Spoons offering up-cycled vintage flatware jewelry and home products. 

In the era of big box stores and online shopping, organizers of the Rogue Valley Growers & Crafters Market see it as an opportunity to meet and connect with the people behind their favorite products. 

“In today’s society of convenience-based shopping, who you’re buying from is anonymous … the growers market invites us to slow down and be more present,” Schulz said. “You’re connecting directly with the person who is making your food or the crafter you’re buying from.”

“Growers markets are an ancient and primal human practice,” she added.

The local growers market is also focused on ensuring affordable prices and the opportunity to shop and enjoy the space, regardless of income. 

“For people who receive SNAP benefits, you can swipe your SNAP card and we’ll match up to 20 dollars for SNAP vouchers on fresh produce and fruits,” Schulz said. 

The growers market is also reintroducing the Protein Match program, likely in April or May. 

“It’s a win for growers, it’s a win for the community and it’s a win for the local economy,” Schulz said. 

The Rogue Valley Growers & Crafters Market is exploring the idea of a fourth day to shop local in the future, with organizers hoping to have a new market in addition to the current three next season, according to Schulz.

To learn more about the local growers market and other information, visit rvgrowersmarket.com. 

Reach reporter James Sloan at jsloan@rv-times.com.