Anniversary Story - Liz

What were the markets like when you started shopping with us?

My family and I started shopping at the Downtown Hillsboro Saturday Market in 2012 when visiting family. One of our family members participated as a vendor at this market, and my young son loved helping them run their booth. Shortly after, we moved to Downtown Hillsboro and became regular market shoppers. The streets were vibrant with community members shopping for produce from their favorite local farmers and eating delicious hot foods around the Civic Center Plaza. Saturday morning at the farmers market became our favorite activity.

What drew you to the markets?

In 2016, I applied for a Volunteer & Event Coordinator position at HFM. I was excited for the opportunity to give back to the markets that had given so much to my family and community. I enjoyed my time in that position and accepted the Market Manager position at the end of 2017. Being in that position for the last 5 years has proven to me how hard working our farmers and artisans are and how grateful the community is to be able to support them each week.

How has the market changed since your first visit?

Both of HFM’s markets (Downtown Hillsboro Saturday and Orenco Station Sunday markets) have the ability to simultaneously stay the same and vibrantly change. It’s a strange phenomenon that adds to the energy they bring to the neighborhoods that they reside in. The markets are a stable institution in Hillsboro, (celebrating 40 years!), that are able to adapt to the changes that time brings. And it was never truer than during the Covid-19 years of 2020 and 2021.

Saying Goodbye

The end of the 2022 season will also be the end of my time as Market Manager for Hillsboro Farmers’ Markets. Through good times, through tough times - it has been a pleasure coordinating local farmers, artisans, partners, and non-profits to provide produce and products to the greater Hillsboro community.