Camas Farmer’s Market kicks off 2025 season

Sun-ripened berries seemed to be the star of the June 11 Camas Farmer’s Market, with crowds of buyers lined up at every vendor booth showcasing freshly picked strawberries. But they weren’t the only thing enticing hundreds of marketgoers to downtown Camas that day.

The market is open 3-7 p.m. every Wednesday in downtown Camas through the first week of October. It “offers a safe, inclusive space where families of all kinds can gather, learn, and grow together,” Camas Mayor Steve Hogan said recently.

The market, which features about 50 vendors throughout the season, “has become a cornerstone of community connection and well-being,” Hogan said, and showcases “the diversity, dedication and quality of our region’s farmers, food producers and artisans.”

Market visitors hoping to connect with local food growers won’t be disappointed. This year’s market vendors include several Camas-Washougal farmers and food producers.

On June 11, four local vendors clustered together near the future site of the Camas-Washougal Fire Department’s new headquarters building at the corner of Northeast Fourth Avenue and Northeast Everett Street: Shady Grove Farm, a Camas farm growing organic greens and vegetables; Windy River Livestock, a Washougal farm offering grass-fed beef and pork fed a corn- and soy-free diet; the Camas-based Smokie River Meats offering locally smoked meats and cheeses; and The Soap Chest, a Camas business that makes natural soaps and body care products.

Down the street, closer to the Camas Public Library, Bakehouse Sourdough, a Washougal micro-bakery specializing in small batch sourdough bread and baked goods, was a popular stop for market visitors looking for unique, locally produced food.

Camas native Will Stauffer runs Windy River Livestock with his wife, Jocelyn Stauffer, on the family’s Washougal farm in the Columbia River Gorge. Will Stauffer was manning the Windy River Livestock booth at the Camas Farmer’s Market last week. It’s one of several markets the Stauffers attend during farmers market season, including the Vancouver Farmers Market on Saturdays and Sundays, the East Vancouver Farmers Market on Thursdays and, soon, the new Washougal community market that will be set up in Reflection Plaza from 2-6 p.m. on Fridays from July 18 through Aug. 29.

The Camas market, Will Stauffer said, provides the farmer with a steady stream of customers most Wednesdays, especially during the market’s first couple hours of operation.

In 2024, the Camas Farmer’s Market served an average of 1,500 weekly visitors and more than 27,000 visitors throughout the market’s 17th season.

The market also boasts nonprofit and educational booths, as well as special events throughout the season, including:

• Berry Days (July 9): The market will give complimentary berry shortcake desserts, made with berries from Theony Farms, Pheasant’s Eye Farm and Annie’s Berry Farms, to the first 300 customers, beginning at 4:30 p.m. July 9. The Berry Days market also will feature berry-themed activities and crafts for children and families.

• The Volunteer Fair farmers market will be July 23 and interested volunteers can meet with nonprofit representatives to learn about volunteer opportunities in the Camas-Washougal area.

• The market’s Veggie Fest and Derby featuring derby cars made from fresh vegetables will be Aug. 6. And for those worried about wasting fresh produce, market organizers said the vegetables used during the event will be donated to local animal rescues to feed animals.

• On Sept. 17, the market will host its Community Food and Resource Fair showcasing a number of community groups.

• The market’s Harvest Festival event on Oct. 1 will close out the 2025 Camas Farmer’s Market season with a celebration featuring live music, knife-sharpening, face painting, pumpkin bowling and a “harvest story time” for families with younger children.

For more information about the Camas Farmer’s Market, visit camasfarmersmarket.org.

Kelly Moyer: 360-735-4674; kelly.moyer@columbian.com