Fresh produce, directly from the farmer to you

One of the best things about summer is the abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables. Oregon is especially blessed with a great climate for growing many crops.

By now, most farmers’ markets are open. You can get produce from the growers nearly as fresh as you could get it on their farms. And most of them accept WIC checks (for Women, Infants and Children) and SNAP (formerly called Food Stamps).

Here is a sample of the markets around the state:

• Astoria, 12th Street between Marine and Exchange streets, Sundays, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
• Beaverton, Hall Blvd. between Third and Fifth streets; Wednesdays, 3 p.m.–6 p.m. and Saturdays, 8 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
• Cannon Beach, Gower and Hemlock streets, Tuesdays, 2 p.m.–6 p.m.
• Forest Grove, Main Street between 21st and Pacific avenues, Wednesdays, 4 p.m.–8 p.m.
• Grants Pass, Growers Farmers’ Market, Riverside Park, Wednesdays, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
• Hermiston, 415 S Highway 395. Saturdays, 8 a.m.–noon.
• Klamath Falls, Main and Ninth streets, Saturdays, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
  
• Lincoln City, 549 NE Highway 101, Sundays, 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
• Manzanita, 467 Laneda Avenue at Fifth Street, Fridays, 5 p.m.–8 p.m.
• Medford, Rogue Valley Growers Crafters Market, 1071 S. Pacific Highway 99.
• Medford, Rogue Valley Growers Crafters Market, 1071 S. Pacific Highway 99, Thursdays, 8:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
• Pendleton, Main Street between Emigrant and Dorion, Fridays 4 p.m. to dusk.
• Portland, King Elementary, NE Seventh and Wygant Street, Sundays, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
• Portland, Lents International, SE 92nd Ave. and Foster Road, Sundays, 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
• Portland, Lloyd Farmers Market, NE Holladay Street between Seventh and Ninth avenues, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
• Portland, Pioneer Square, between SW Broadway and Sixth Avenue and SW Morrison and Yamhill. Mondays, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
• Portland, Shemanski Park, SW Salmon and Park avenues, Wednesdays, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
• Salem, Chemeketa Street NE, between Liberty and High streets, Wednesdays, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
• Tillamook, Laurel Avenue and Second, Saturdays, 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
• Tualatin, Tualitin Commons, Nyberg and Martinazzi, Wednesdays, Fridays, 4 pa.m.–8 p.m.
• Wilsonville, Villebois Sunday Market, Villebois Village Center, at the corners of Villebois Drive and Barber Street, Sundays, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

There are many more farmers markets, which you can find at www.oregonfarmersmarkets.org.

A fresh treat to beat the heat

Here is a wonderful recipe that takes advantage of the variety of berries grown on Oregon farms, and is an icy treat on hot summer days. Each serving of the “Berry Blast Smoothie” is only 100 calories and ½ gram of fat.

This recipe makes 4 servings.

Blend together:

• 1 cup blueberries
• 1 cup strawberries
• 1 cup raspberries
• 1 cup blackberries
• 1 cup ice
• ½ cup cranberry-raspberry juice
• ½ cup low-fat blueberry yogurt

Enjoy!

Children under 5 years old and mothers of children under 1 who live in Oregon and have low income may qualify for food help through the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). To find out more, call 1-800-723-3638 or the local WIC clinic nearest you.