The Market is open 9am - 3pm and I recommend going earlier than later. The later you go, the more likely it is that the produce is sold out or that only the scraggly looking veggies are left. We went around 12pm, and there still seemed to be a good selection of everything.
Side note - I decided that it would be the perfect day to wear my "Fallon/Timberlake 2016" shirt given that the conventions were held recently. It was a hit, as expected :)
We left my apartment building with my reusable bag on my arm and walked about 10 minutes to the market. It was a beautiful day out and not as hot as it was the day before (which was a scorcher), so it was a nice walk. Plus, I like the vibe of walking down some of the non-main-drag streets of downtown Salem on a Saturday because they are fairly peaceful.
At the market, I did my usual "check it all out before you decide" methodology and started by walking all around the market before I chose what to buy. Usually the produce prices are similar from stand to stand, but sometimes there is enough of a discrepancy that it's worth scoping them all out first (especially watch for the tiny berry baskets that sell for $3 at one stand and a bigger basket for $3 at another). I also like to check things out first because I have a bad tendency of getting too excited about all the cool produce and buying more than I'm actually able to eat before it goes bad. Lately I've been trying to be more mindful and realistic about what I buy, so seeing all my options first is helpful to make the decision of what will make the cut.
The produce stands were brimming with brightly colored fruits and veggies. Almost all of the pictures I took were centered around them. And, it seems like the main point of the Saturday Market, at least for me, is to be able to buy local produce straight from the farmer.
Besides the produce, there are other interesting (but mostly unpictured, sorry) things to look at. We talked to a knife sharpening guy who warned us of the perils of very sharp knives (and we considered if it would be awkward to walk to the market holding the knives you wanted him to sharpen...). There are usually a few stands selling local meat (we saw pig and lamb this time), which I've never actually stopped to talk to but I assume you order it and pick it up at a later time. I didn't see it this time, but one of the most interesting vendors sells composting worms. That's how you really know you're in Oregon :). One time about a year ago I saw a guy selling drinking glasses that he had made out of old glass bottles. I thought they were super cool but didn't buy any (which I later regretted) and of course never saw him there again. There's also local honey, sewn items (like blankets), local alcohol (I saw a cidery there and have seen distilleries in the past), and much more.
While at the market, I tend to appreciate the vibe of the Saturday Market. There are usually a bunch of people there, but it's not stressful or overwhelming or too loud or any of that. The vendors are nice, there's enough room in the wide aisles for people to roam, and it all just feels pretty relaxed.
While we were wandering I stopped for some samples of Bliss Nut-Butters. I had never tried them before and they were so good! I was debating between sunflower seed and hazelnut, and went for the hazelnut. So tasty!
We wandered over to the food court where some of the stuff wasn't so impressive, but the paella in a huuuuge cooking dish definitely was! I heard the guy at the booth say that it would be done in about 10 to 15 minutes. It kind of felt like it was a big communal meal :). We didn't buy any (way too much meat in the variety he was making and he was out of the vegetarian one) but it looked pretty good!
With all the produce stands visited, I had a better idea of what I wanted to buy. First I stopped and got a pint of pesticide-free blueberries, and grabbed one of their convenient recipe cards too.
Then we headed back towards a stand right at the corner of the main entrance. I always seem to go back to that one. On our way, we passed by these two guys playing some music. There are always various musicians standing around filling the air, as well as a more formal music experience at a little stage in the food court. I kind of like the informal jam sessions better because they are more of a markety vibe.
Then I picked up some baby eggplants (no idea what to do with them, but they seemed interesting and I like to experiment with somewhat unusual market stuff sometimes), a red bell pepper, and a cucumber. I forgot to take a pic in the market setting, but here they are on my table back home.
After walking back to my apartment, I put the fresh produce to good use. I sliced up some of the cucumber to make a cucumber-cream cheese sandwich for lunch, with a little bowl of blueberries for dessert.
I highly recommend the Saturday Market as a great way to support the local economy, try out new things, and embrace Salem.
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