Mt. Hood Farmers Market returns with more vendors May 17

For fans of fresh-from-the-farm veggies and shopping local, it’s almost your favorite time of the year again: farmers market season.

In Sandy, the AntFarm-facilitated Mount Hood Farmers Market at 38600 Proctor Blvd. opens on at 2 p.m. Friday, May 17. This year the market runs from 2-7 p.m. every Friday, with live music and a plethora of artisans and farmers to shop from.

“We have so many new vendors this year,” said market manager Jenny Rippey. The first market of the season is already set to have 36 vendors present.

Right now Rippey is expecting to have a few new arts and crafts vendors, a few new bakers and also possibly a stuffed churro vendor.

Rippey added that her team is working with the city of Sandy to inquire about closing down Scales Avenue to be able to expand the market space, and also trying to get the OK to have food trucks at the weekly seasonal event.

“I’m looking forward to the season in general,” Rippey explained. “I am looking forward to meeting the new vendors and getting out there again.”

AntFarm will also facilitate programs like the Power of Produce, through which children can learn about the origins of their food, do fun activities and earn tokens they can exchange for healthy treats from vendors.

This year, thanks to a partnership with and grant from the American Heart Association, AntFarm has been able to double the amount of tokens they give out to a $4 value.

Double Up Food Bucks, which allows those who receive SNAP benefits to double their benefits and purchase farm fresh products, will also still be offered.

“If you spend $20 of your SNAP dollars at a participating farmers market, we will give you another $20 to buy more locally grown fruits and vegetables,” according to the Double Up Food Bucks website.

The market season ends Friday, Oct. 18.

Those who are interested can apply to vend throughout the season. For more information, visit mounthoodfarmersmarket.org.