Springfield Farmers' Market

2010 Season Opens Friday, May 7th!

As with most behavioral change efforts, education alone is not enough; environmental changes are needed too. Farmer's Markets work by creating an environment supportive of healthy eating behaviors.

This year’s Springfield Farmers' Market will run through October 8, and is located downtown, on Main Street between 5th and 6th.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends eating five servings of fruits and vegetables per day, which provide vitamins and minerals that help maintain and improve overall health as well as protect against chronic diseases such as diabetes. A 2007 Oregon Department of Human Services report reveals that only 23% of all 8th graders and 25% of adults in our state meet this recommendation.

Farmer’s Markets give shoppers an opportunity to explore a wide range of produce- both conventionally and organically grown- at competitive prices. Markets also enhance overall community livability and improve public safety by bringing more people to a downtown area or neighborhood to engage in productive, positive activity.

In August of 2008, October of 2009, and May of 2010, LCHAY conducted an interactive community feedback “dot survey” session at the Springfield Farmers' Market. We wanted to see how the presence of the market shaped shopping habits and eating behaviors of customers. Questions asked were:

• What is the main reason you like to buy fruits and vegetables at this Market?
• What is your main reason for coming Downtown today?
• How many times have you been to the Springfield Farmers' Market?
• Because of this market, are you eating more fruits and vegetables?

Of the 227 people who participated in this activity, 46% had noticeably increased their fruit and vegetable consumption (35% said eating a little more, 11% a lot more). If you take away the 15% who noted this was their first time attending the market, nearly half of the market attendees had altered their eating behavior for the better!

Learn more about our dot survey here.

Farmers Markets are deeply rooted in American history.  Not only are they a space to buy wholesome foods, they are also places where community is built; bringing diverse people together to share ideas, visions and even recipes! Farmers Markets are blossoming nationwide. The USDA’s national farmer’s market directory shows that from 1994 to 2004 the number of markets in the US doubled; followed by a whopping18% increase from 2004 to 2006.

The Springfield Farmers' Market is sponsored and managed by NEDCO -  Neighborhood Economic Development Corporation.