Specialties at the Huge Vancouver Farmers’ Market
The Vancouver Farmers Market is a year-round destination for locals and visitors, showcasing the region’s agricultural abundance and artisan talent. It’s become a community staple since opening in 1990, and regularly features 250 vendors.
Vancouver, WA, Market Basics:
- Location: 8th & Esther Street in downtown Vancouver
- Parking: Free streetside parking on weekends
- Highlights: Local produce from WA & OR, pet treats, florals & plants
- Pet Friendly: Leashed dogs are everywhere
Market Hours & Seasonal Schedule
Technically, there are two markets: the main downtown one, and another one Thursdays in East Vancouver.
DOWNTOWN MARKET:
April – October:
- Saturdays: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Sundays: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
November – March:
- Saturdays only: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
EAST VANCOUVER MARKET:
June – September:
- Thursdays: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- Location: 17701 SE Mill Plain Blvd, Vancouver, WA
Vancouver Market Vendors
With over 250 vendors, the market offers a diverse array of products:
- Fresh Produce: Seasonal fruits and vegetables from local farms.
- Artisan Goods: Handcrafted items such as jewelry, soaps, and home décor.
- Prepared Foods: A variety of ready-to-eat options, including international cuisines.
- Plants & Flowers: Nursery plants and fresh-cut bouquets.
- Pet Products: Treats and accessories for your four-legged family members.
My Favorite Vendors at the Farmers Market
Gardens and Florists
I love the vendors bringing locally-grown flowers, bushes, and other greens to inspire gardens. Several tents are usually devoted to landscapes.
The market usually has florists tying beautiful bouquets, too. These folks had buckets full of peonies ready to go.
Libby’s Best Dog Bakery
Libby is the dog that inspired Marcia Irvin to start her own dog treat business 20 years ago. She was an older, diabetic labrador who wasn’t supposed to eat store-bought treats.
Marcia, came up with her own recipe, made of all-natural ingredients.Â
She bakes them at home, packages them, and sells them only at the market.
The dog biscuits come in different sizes, and are great for your own pup or a gift for someone else’s.
K Family Farm
Based in Albany, Oregon, the K Family Farm is about 10 acres in size. They grow a variety of strawberries, which are ready for harvest at different times of the year. By spring, they’ll have bushels full, with signs that say “picked fresh last night.”
The variety of berries grown allows them to stretch the harvest season to 5 months.
They’re happy to have you sample their fresh picks, to point out the difference between their baskets of berries and the ones you’ll buy at the store.
Cranberry Kitchen
The family behind Cranberry Kitchen has been growing cranberries in bogs along the northern coast of Oregon for 50+ years.
They say the thing that separates them is: they don’t crush the berries and drain the juice to sell separately before they dry their cranberries.
They sell large bags of dried fruit and nut bags for $5 to $15.
Aside from Vancouver, you can find their dried berries and mixes at farmers’ markets in Astoria, Beaverton, Cannon Beach, and other cities in the area.
Quackenbush Farm
Quackenbush is one of several produce stands at the Vancouver Farmers Market. It started in Washington, by four friends. They each kept their day jobs as they grew the farm, with its motto:Â “Grown with love and elbow grease.’
They moved to Eagle Creek, Oregon in 2017, growing to 20 acres.
In addition to the leafy greens and other produce, many of the vendors also sell starter plants and herbs so you can grow your own.
Bautista Family Farms
From the Yakima area, this farm produce stand attracted my attention with early-season strawberries and “first of the season” cherries.Â
I can’t tell you how many people walked by saying, “It’s only May. Isn’t it early for cherries?” Yes!Â
And that’s what makes the farms that are part of the market unique. They stretch their growing seasons with varieties, and also bring unexpected produce, like purple sweet asparagus.
Wrap on the Vancouver Farmers Market
I love walking under the canopy of towering trees through the market.
There’s live music on the different corners every Saturday and Sunday from spring through the fall.
Plus, at the end of one of the streets, there are a variety of food vendors and food trucks.
It’s a great way to start your day in Vancouver, or for a stop and stroll after breakfast or brunch.
