It’s almost time to move grocery shopping outside.

Farmers market season begins in Central Oregon in May. Six weekly markets are organized across Bend, Redmond, Sisters, Prineville and Madras this summer, with a monthly market in Sunriver. Each market has distinctive characteristics, but all are driven by a similar mission: connecting residents with healthy, locally grown organic produce in the spirit of community.

Here’s when and where to discover your next farmers market find.

Saturday NorthWest Crossing Farmers Market

A bounty of seasonal produce, locally raised meats, eggs, cheese and handmade items are available at the NorthWest Crossing Farmers Market on Saturdays. This market is not just about produce, but a place to spend the morning or afternoon while enjoying the food carts and live music.

It’s one of the most well-attended farmers markets in Central Oregon, with weekly attendance between 500 and 3,000 people, according to its website and the first market kicks off May 31.

10 a.m.-2 p.m. May 31-Sept. 27; NW Crossing Drive, Bend; nwxfarmersmarket.com

Wednesday Downtown Bend Farmers Market

There’s no jewelry, arts or crafts at vendor booths at the Bend Farmers Market in downtown Bend’s Brooks Alley. It’s an outdoor grocery that supports the viability of local farmers and producers who offer fresh produce and farm products with a mission to enhance the business, nutrition and community health of Central Oregon.

Eligible vendors accept multiple currencies including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, which go further with the Double Up Food Bucks (DUFB) program for fruit, vegetables, herbs and veggie starts. The first market of the season will be held May 7.

11 a.m.-3 p.m. May 7-Oct. 8; Brooks Alley, Bend; bendfarmersmarket.com

Friday Redmond Farmers Market

When it looked like there might not be a 2024 farmers market in Redmond, three sisters banded together to revive the event in Centennial Park. Emma Meyers, Meg Meyers and Lily Lapp have preserved the Redmond Farmers Market, a space for local farmers, food producers, bakers and artists to share their goods while fostering connections among residents.

Vegetables, homemade goods and crafts are available at the market. It’s held later than most, from 3 to 7 p.m. on Fridays beginning May 2, offering a reprieve from the summer heat. Note that a market will not be held Aug. 1.

3 p.m.-7 p.m. Fridays, May 2-Aug. 29; 725 SW Evergreen Ave., Redmond; redmondoregonfarmersmarket.org 

Monthly Sunriver Farmers Market

The Sunriver Area Chamber of Commerce hosts its third annual Sunriver Saturday Market on the last Saturday of the month, beginning May 31. The boutique market includes vendors with food, beverages, artwork, closing, jewelry, yarn, beauty products, household items and pet products. See the chamber of commerce website for a full list of vendors.

9 a.m.-1 p.m. May 31, June 28, July 26, Aug. 30 and Sept. 27; 57250 Overlook Road, Sunriver; sunriverchamber.com/calendar

Sunday Sisters Farmers Market

Fresh food, local produce, handcrafted art and live music are at the heart of the Sisters Farmers Market in Fir Street Park, beginning June 1. Vendors may also be found indoors at 291 Main Ave.

The market is managed by Seed to Table, a nonprofit educational farm. Last year, it saw over 21,000 visitors on its 20 market days, according to its annual report. SNAP and DUFB benefits and Farm Direct Dollars are accepted.

10 a.m.-2 p.m. June 1-Oct. 26; 150 N Fir St., Sisters; sistersfarmersmarket.com

Saturday Prineville CROP Farmers Market

Prineville’s Saturday market in Stryker Park is known as C.R.O.P., short for Crooked River Open Pastures, and is intended to promote a sense of community within the county.

A variety of local agricultural products, such as vegetables and locally raised meats, are sold next to handmade artisanal goods. Live music is also part of the event and musicians are welcome to join in on the open jam format.

9 a.m.-1 p.m. June 7-Sept. 27; 453 NE Third St., Prineville; cropfarmersmarket.org 

Saturday Madras Farmers Market

According to Nancy Klatt, treasurer of the Madras Farmers Market, the market’s motto is “homegrown, homemade or handcrafted,” with 80% of goods adhering to those standards. Typically, there are three to five produce vendors.

“We try to promote and support the local growers and the local crafters in the surrounding community,” she said about the market, which is located two blocks from downtown Madras in Sahalee Park.

Special events will be held throughout the summer, such as the Madras Garden Club’s annual plant sale on May 31, Klatt said.

The manager’s booth accepts credit and debit cards in exchange for tokens, which are also provided to those with SNAP or DUFB.

After beginning on May 10, there are three Saturdays the market will not be held due to conflicting community events: July 5, Aug. 2 and Aug. 16. It will end Sept. 6, out of respect for the Latino Community Organization and the cancellation of Latino Fest, which had been planned for Sept. 13.

9 a.m.-2 p.m. May 10-Sept. 6; Sahalee Park, 1-99 SE Seventh St., Madras; saturdaymarketmadras.com