The Portland Farmers' Market has been operating for 17 years, running weekly Saturday markets on the South Park Blocks at Portland State University from March until December. Over 200 local growers and artisans gather each week to offer fresh produce grown nearby, as well as local fish, honey, baked goods, cheese and specialty foods, spices and sauces.

Beyond the Saturday festivities, the market is also held in various locations on alternative days of the week. On Wednesdays from the end of April through the end of October, a downtown market is held for those who live and work in the area, and can be found on the South Park Blocks between Salmon and Main. The Ecotrust building in the Pearl District and Eastbank in Southeast Portland are both home to markets held on Thursday afternoons from June until September. The Ecotrust market caters to fast-moving crowds who live and work in the area, while the Eastbank market is more family-oriented, where neighbors can catch up with one another. The newest market is held on Sundays, beginning the middle of May until the end of September, in the King neighborhood for those residing in the north and northeast sections of the city, and is still growing as more surrounding neighborhoods learn about it and begin to visit each week.

The market also offers special events and programs, including Kids Cook at the Market on Saturdays, Chef in the Market for adults who want to learn how to turn local, seasonable produce into full meals and Get Growing Portland, a program giving gardeners access to gardening experts. Weekly live music is another treat shoppers will enjoy during their market experience, and special events include The Great Pumpkin Event for Halloween and the Thanksgiving FEASTival, a pre-holiday market for finding the perfect ingredients to create a homemade holiday feast.

Learn more about the Portland Farmers' Market and all it has to offer after the jump.

» Portland Farmers' Market