| By Tassia Fahsbender
Market Operations Manager, South Valley Farmers Market
Farmer’s Markets serve as community hubs. A vital point where local food systems meet economic development, and small businesses launch to serve the needs of their communities. We rise to meet the challenges of climate change, supply chain disruption, and inflation by feeding our communities and building a robust thriving local economy.
The South Valley Farmers Market is a vibrant public market located in downtown Cottage Grove and Creswell, Oregon. We are a 501(c)(6) not-for-profit organization whose mission is to create an open, inclusive public space for farmers and local producers to market their products directly to consumers. We increase our community’s access to fresh local food through programs like SNAP and Double Up Food Bucks. We also provide a lively public gathering space offering live music, children's activities, and educational opportunities. We seek to create an environment that builds community connection, resilience, sustainability, and innovation.
Fix-It Fairs are also hubs for sustainability, skill sharing, and innovation. We are aligned with Waste Wise Lane County in our desire to share resources and skills to build a sustainable and equitable future. A path forward that is responsive and adaptable to the needs of the people and the planet. Our shared values and a desire to offer more resources to our communities make Fix-It Fairs and Farmer’s Markets a natural partnership.
South Valley Farmers Market was honored to host Cottage Grove’s first Fix-It Fair in July of 2023. The community response was enthusiastic and appreciative of the skills shared by the Fixers. The market offered the space and Fix-It volunteers provided their repair expertise. Market-goers rejoiced in the opportunity to repair much loved but broken things and restore them to usefulness. Among the items that found new life in the capable hands of Fix-It volunteers were: a bicycle pannier, a favorite skirt, a beloved toy, small appliances, hand tools, and bicycles.
We are delighted to partner once again with Waste Wise Lane County this year to host Creswell’s first Fix-It Fair. Join us at our first Wednesday Market in Holt Park at the corner of N. 4th and A. St in Creswell on July 10 from 3-6 p.m. This Fix-It Fair will focus on outdoor gear, bikes, small appliances, and power tools.
In addition to serving as an access point for fresh food and as a small business incubator, our market serves as a meeting point for community engagement to build a resilient and sustainable local economy. We offer booth spaces to nonprofit organizations to share their mission and their work with the public. Creating connection points for the cross-pollination of ideas and sharing of resources is vital to the health of our community.
South Valley Farmers Market wholeheartedly encourages other organizations to consider partnering with Waste Wise Lane County to host a Fix-It Fair in your area. By sharing our skills and resources, we can better serve the people and the planet. Join us at the next Fix-It Fair and choose repair!
About the author
Tassia Fahsbender is the Market Operations Manager of the South Valley Farmers Market. In the two years she has served the organization she has created a vendor access grant program to support producers entering the market, a children’s program that serves over 1,000 children in the area, and nutritional equity programs to support food access in the community and local economic development. To learn more about South Valley Farmers Market, visit our website at southvalleyfarmersmarket.org
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