Ashland Farmers Market and Food Co-op: Shopping Guide

The Ashland farmers market has a Tuesday habit, held through the growing season on East Main Street. The Ashland Food Co-op on North First Street, a member-owned grocery store that anyone can shop in, is the other stop for picnic supplies.

A regional growers' market runs weekly stalls in Ashland and Medford under one organization. Here is how the two work together for a visitor, what Rogue Valley produce shows up, how to put together a picnic and how to record a good find.

When is the Ashland farmers market?

The market runs on Tuesdays through the growing season, from morning to early afternoon, on East Main Street. It has moved sites over the years, so ask at the co-op or your lodging for the current spot.

What is the Ashland Food Co-op?

A member-owned grocery store at 237 North First Street, a short walk from the plaza. It stocks organic produce, bulk foods, a deli and a hot bar, and it is a reliable stop for picnic supplies on a theater day. You do not need to be a member to shop there.

What Rogue Valley produce should you look for?

The valley's warm days and cool nights suit pears, apples, grapes, peaches, tomatoes, peppers and squash, plus lavender, honey and herbs. Spring brings greens and berries; late summer is the peak. The pears guide tells the valley's fruit story, and the Rogue Valley food guide covers the wider region.

How do you build an Ashland picnic from the market and the co-op?

Buy bread and cheese at the market, fruit and vegetables from the growers, and olives, nuts and something sweet at the co-op. Add a bottle of sparkling water or a small bottle of wine. The park by the creek is a short walk. The picnic guide describes the spots.

Does the market suit a vegetarian or vegan diner?

Very much. Most of what the market sells is plant-based, and the co-op's deli has vegan options. Ask a stall about ingredients in prepared items, since a pastry may contain butter or egg. The plant-based guide covers restaurants.

Why does a stall rating need a dish name?

Stalls and their stock change. A rating that says "the tomatoes, a Tuesday in August, warm from the sun" tells the next shopper what to look for. Name the item, add tags such as Market Stall, Farm Producer, Vegan and Gluten-Free, and the entry helps anyone planning a visit. Specific beats enthusiastic.

How do you keep your market notes?

Open the Mosey app and rate the stall by name and item, then save it to a list called Ashland market days. Like and save lists from people whose picnics you envy. Where a market has a page in the app, you can ask for a reminder on the morning of each market day. Places new to Mosey are added, and we'll check their details.

What practical points are worth knowing?

Parking at the market is limited and a bike valet has been offered in some seasons, and pets are not welcome except service animals. The market runs rain or shine. See the US food guides for markets in other towns.

What is the co-op like inside?

Bright, crowded at five and full of regulars. Bulk bins of grains, nuts and spices line the walls, the produce section leans local and organic, and the deli turns out soups, salads and sandwiches. Shop for a picnic, a room breakfast or a gift: local honey, jam and chocolate are easy to carry. The staff are used to visitors asking what is local, and they answer with pride.

How do the market and the co-op complement each other? The market is for the freshest produce and for talking to growers; the co-op is for everything else and for every day of the week. Use the market on Tuesday morning for the main shop, and the co-op when you need a sandwich on a show night. Together they give you a larger map of what the valley grows and makes.

What should you cook with a market haul? Keep the menu short and the ingredients clean. Grill vegetables, roast a chicken, make a salad with herbs and eat bread with olive oil. In summer, tomatoes, peppers and peaches need little more than salt and a knife. In autumn, make a squash soup with the market's apples. Cooking one good meal from the market makes a week of travel feel like home.

How do you pack the market for the road? Wrap produce in a damp towel, use a small cooler and keep fruit away from the heat. If you are flying, pack jams and honey in checked bags and ship the rest. A loaf of bread keeps for a day in a bag, and a hard cheese keeps for several in the fridge.

This is one of many Oregon guides, and the Food in Oregon page lists them all by town.

This Tuesday next season, download the Mosey app, rate the best thing in your basket and start a list for the festival friends who ask where to shop.