08/12/2026
History of the McMinnville Farmers Market on Thursday. bide a wee farm started as a vendor in 2009.
Twenty-five years ago, a simple idea brought 12 vendors together in downtown McMinnville.
The McMinnville Farmers Market began in May 2001, when farmers John Foster of Seven Spoke Farm and Barbara Boyer of Riveridge Farm had an idea: create a farmers market right in the heart of downtown McMinnville.
John and Barbara approached McMinnville Downtown Association Executive Director Patti Webb about creating a downtown market. Patti took the idea to then- City Manager Kent Taylor, who co-signed on the vision.
And just like that, the McMinnville Farmers Market was born.
The first market featured 12 vendors and was located on Cowls Street between 2nd and 3rd Streets - just one block over from where the market is located today. By the end of that first season, the market had grown to 24 vendors.
A 2002 McMinnville Downtown Association newsletter article titled “McMinnville Farmers’ Market Continues to Grow” reported that the market had grown to as many as 26 vendors that summer. The article celebrated the dedicated farmers who returned week after week, the variety of unique vendors, live music, and the growing community of shoppers who were making the market part of their summer routine.
Among those early vendors were some familiar names that are still part of our market community today, including Bernards Farm (now Our Legacy Farm); Stephens Farm (now H&A Farm); and La Casa Del Taco.
And the Farmers Market has done more than provide a place for local businesses to sell their products. It has helped grow businesses that have gone on to become part of downtown McMinnville itself.
Red Fox Bakery began as a Farmers Market vendor before opening a brick-and-mortar business on Third Street. They weren't alone. Other businesses that started or grew through the Farmers Market and later established themselves downtown include Bierly Brewing, Alchemist's Jam, and Bunny Belly Bagels.
Today, 25 years after that first market, we operate weekly with a rotating lineup of approximately 85 vendors, along with a full food court featuring a variety of prepared food options.
The market now spans Cowls Street between 1st and 2nd Streets, the City Hall parking lot, and the First Baptist Church parking lot, a far cry from those original 12 vendors on a single block.
But while the market has grown considerably, the heart of it remains the same.
It's still a place where farmers sell what they've grown, makers share what they've created, local businesses connect with customers, and our community comes together.
For 25 years, the McMinnville Farmers Market has been part of the story of downtown McMinnville, and in many ways, the market has helped shape that story.
We're proud of where we've been, grateful to the farmers, vendors, volunteers, shoppers, community partners, and downtown leaders who have helped build this market, and excited about where we're going next.
Here's to 25 years of the McMinnville Farmers Market, and to the next 25!
📖 Historical information and the accompanying photo of the MDA newsletter are from market co-founder Barbara Boyer. Thank you Barbara for sitting down with this us to share this information!
