While some Portland area Farmers Markets keep going year round (see Hillsdale Farmers’ Market), my two favorite neighborhood markets are coming back to life soon!

My absolute favorite is the Sunday Montavilla Market at 7600 SE Stark. However, I have to wait until June 21 for my first low-key, small market dose. This is my favorite market partly because it is on Sundays, but mostly because it feels like a neighborhood occasion with enough choice to be tantalizing. Neither the options nor the crowds are overwhelming, and there is much to delight in!

In the meantime, we have the closer Hollywood Farmers’ Market opening on Saturday, May 2 at NE Hancock between 44th and 45th Avenues. This market has many more options, but also has some serious crowds (and almost always an unexpected friend encounter). Great fun but also some what anxiety inducing for wimps like me!

There are many wonderful farmers and vendors at both markets, but I got to give special mention of the Village Crepery — they are the best! Definitely visit their website for the wonderful animated gifs — and the crepes are even better!

Farmer’s Markets are a joyful part of living in Portland. There are lots and lots of them, and sometimes it’s hard to remember all of the options. Walking, biking, and occasionally driving the Hollywood Farmer’s Market is a great Saturday morning activity. Of all of the places in my greater neighborhood, I bump into the most friends (some from my early childhood) at the Hollywood Farmer’s Market.

For prepared foods, I am particularly fond of the Crepe Women and the Fleur de Lis bakery folks. We’ve found lots of great produce (particularly berries) this year, and since we didn’t get a vegetable garden going I am very grateful to have fresh basil! And I can’t wait for local tomatoes.

There is now a small Farmer’s Market right by the NE 7th Ave. MAX stop on Tuesdays in the late afternoon, which I am hoping to try out on my way home in the super-heat today. And then there is another Farmer’s Market at the Ecotrust building on Thursdays that I keep meaning to inspect from work as well. So much good food, so little time!