The Hidden Gem of Southwest Portland: Hillsdale Farmers Market

Hi, reader,

In a city with well over a dozen farmers markets, Hillsdale Farmers Market has quietly cultivated something special since 2002. Tucked away in Southwest Portland, this year-round Sunday market offers a diverse selection, including some unique local vendors.

A Neighborhood Market with City-Wide Appeal

What distinguishes Hillsdale is its genuine neighborhood feel. Unlike Portland's larger markets that attract tourists, Hillsdale maintains its community roots. Regular shoppers greet vendors by name, farmers remember customers' preferences, and the market lacks the elbow-to-elbow crowds of larger venues.

Families visit from the adjacent park, catching up with vendors and neighbors, while local musicians perform. Market staff and volunteers help customers locate products and answer seasonal questions.

Early summer brings strawberries, with vendors selling fresh Hoods, Mary's Peak and Albion varieties. Beyond standard farmers market fare — produce, baked goods and flowers — Hillsdale features distinctive offerings.

Hillsdale hosts more than 50 vendors offering an impressive range of goods. The market's careful curation includes both staples and specialties, such as Babkush, a small-scale Jewish bakery serving fresh babka loaves and flaky rugelach, and Tutuilla True Fish, a Native-owned fishery selling ethically caught salmon.

Shoppers find seasonal produce alongside unique offerings like native plants, specialty mushrooms and heritage breed meats. Time-conscious visitors can purchase both everyday staples and special treats in one location.

Accessibility: More Than Just Location

Founded in 2002, Hillsdale Farmers Market emphasizes accessibility in multiple ways.

Transportation options include eight TriMet bus lines, ample parking and bike racks in a bike-friendly neighborhood.

The market also prioritizes financial accessibility. All produce vendors participate in the Oregon Farm Direct Nutrition Program, providing eligible low-income seniors and WIC families with vouchers for fresh produce. For SNAP EBT recipients, Hillsdale participates in Double Up Food Bucks Oregon, matching up to $20 in market funds.

Then there is the commitment to year-round access. While many Portland markets close during winter — especially on the city's west side — Hillsdale operates every Sunday from May through November, switching to biweekly during winter months. The only other year-round options west of the Willamette River are the PSU Farmers Market and Beaverton Farmers Market.

Winter markets showcase Oregon farmers' ingenuity through storage crops, greenhouse-grown vegetables and preserved products that help shoppers maintain local eating habits year-round.

Worth the Trip

For Portlanders accustomed to grocery stores, Hillsdale offers a compelling reason to visit Southwest Portland on Sunday mornings. The market balances variety with a personal, unhurried atmosphere.

Whether seeking fresh local produce, unique artisanal foods or a relaxed market experience, Hillsdale delivers. The market runs Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 1405 SW Vermont St., near the Hillsdale business district.

In a city known for food and sustainability, Hillsdale Farmers Market brings both to its community without pretension or inflated prices — proving authentic Portland experiences often happen away from the spotlight.

Happy saving!

Bryan M. Vance,
Founder/Publisher,
Stumptown Savings