QuickTake:

The Lane County Farmers Market, its vendors, and shoppers welcomed the launch of Springfield's new weekly Sunday market June 7, on what they described as a "beautiful day."

Christina Bentrup wrote about fresh garlic, cilantro and lettuce mixes on a chalkboard leaned against the pole of her vendor stand as she opened on the first day of the Springfield Farmers Market. 

She lives and farms in Springfield near the Hayden Bridge, where the land is fed water from the Mohwak River. 

“It’s really exciting to feed my community,” said Bentrup between the plants and produce in the Bee Loved Farm tent. 

Christina Bentrup kneels with chalk to display encouraging messages about gardening. She sells both produce and starts. “As far as buying local (starts) … you’re really getting from that is the farmer knowledge of what does well here.” Credit: Ashli Blow / Lookout Eugene-Springfield
Bentrup poses for a portrait with a Rydberg’s penstemon. She describes native plants to be “really good for the birds and the bees and the whole ecosystem,” and “use less water, which is becoming ever more important.” Credit: Ashli Blow / Lookout Eugene-Springfield

Bentrup was among 25 vendors selling a plethora of local food: vegetables, mushrooms, meat, eggs, honey, and ready-to-eat items. The most fragrant offerings wafted from Michael Garcia’s Dominican Delights, which serves an authentic taste of the Caribbean with organic Oregon ingredients folded into half-moon pies.

Garcia has sold handmade empanadas for 15 years and he is proud to now do so at a farmer market in Springfield. 

“I love the community around it, the people that I’ve met,” he said standing next to rows of golden savory pastries. 

With an oven on wheels and a case full of empanadas, Michael Garcia welcomes customers from under his tent at the new Springfield farmers market. “I love my Caribbean culture, as I try to pair the two together … the hospitality, share the flavor,” he said. Credit: Ashli Blow / Lookout Eugene-Springfield

Garcia’s setup in the plaza outside the library and City Hall is part of what Hayley Shapiro, executive director of the Lane County Farmers Market, calls the food court. Vendors selling produce, meat and other foods to take home and prepare were set up in the parking lot. 

Dozens of shoppers came and went throughout the morning. 

At Wild Child Farm, a USDA organic–certified operation, the line for starts and produce stayed about 10 people deep throughout the morning of June 7, 2026. Credit: Ashli Blow / Lookout Eugene-Springfield

“This is a great turnout for our first day,” said Shapiro, who expects market to grow to as many as 50 vendors in the coming Sundays. 

The Lane County Farmers Market also hosts the popular Saturday market in Eugene. But for some Springfield residents, getting to Eugene is not always easy. Shapiro said the new Sunday market in Springfield helps make fresh local food more accessible closer to home.

“It can be a trek for people, and our Saturday market has become really busy, which I think creates a barrier for folks, especially if you live a little bit of a drive away,” Shapiro said. “My hope is that this is in walking distance for a lot of people.” 

A patron picks up containers of beans at the Wild Child Farm stand. Lane County Farmers Market requires all vendors to grow their own product or use at least 25% locally grown ingredients in their final products. Credit: Ashli Blow / Lookout Eugene-Springfield
Hayley Shapiro poses for a portrait, the Farmers Market in Springfield reflecting in her sunglasses. “Our vendors are the people who are on the ground, and they’re cultivating and growing food, and they’re listening to the people who are their customers,” she said. Credit: Ashli Blow / Lookout Eugene-Springfield

A consistent farmers market in Springfield has long been stymied by dissolving organizations and disruptions like the COVID-19 pandemic. 

This time, Shapiro hopes it will stick. The Springfield Economic Development Agency board, which consists of the Springfield City Council and the Lane County Commissioner for Springfield, voted to enter into an agreement with Lane County Farmers Market and commit $35,000 to fund market operations during the first three years. 

Shapiro staffed the market alongside coworkers, explaining to patrons that vendors accept EBT cards and match up to $20 per day through Double Up Food Bucks.

“We love to see Springfield out for the first-ever Springfield Lane County Farmers Market,” Shapiro said into a microphone from the booth where she made announcements throughout the morning. “Thank you so much for shopping locally. We’re honored to be here.” 

Looking out at blue skies, temperatures nearing 70 degrees, and families and friends enjoying food together, she added, “it’s going to be a beautiful day.”

If you go

What: Springfield Farmers Market
Where: Library parking lot, Springfield City Hall, 225 Fifth St.
When: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays, June through October

Springfield correspondent Lillian Schrock-Clevenger contributed to this report. 

Ashli Blow brings 12 years of experience in journalism and science writing, focusing on the intersection of issues that impact everyone connected to the land — whether private or public, developed or forested.