The Saturday Routine That Romanticizes My Life and Work (I’ve Been Doing It for 3 Years!)
It’s not groundbreaking to say that Saturday is my favorite day of the week (who doesn’t love a weekend?), but I specifically love Saturdays at the Beaverton Farmers Market in Oregon. Every week, I daydream about my upcoming weekend ritual, wondering what new local produce or artisan goods I may discover.
I’ve been going to my local farmers market every Saturday morning for about three years, and there’s always plenty of variety to keep it interesting. It’s a weekly tradition that started when I created my food photography business, Wild Whisk Studio. I’m always looking for fresh, colorful produce and florals to use as props for different photoshoots and videos, and my clients appreciate the eye-catching seasonal ingredients and flowers I find at the farmers market.
Nothing beats the atmosphere of the Beaverton Farmers Market. Each weekend supplies me with fresh goods to help me do my best work and invigorates me for my week ahead, which is reason enough to keep going. But this tradition also has a much deeper meaning: My grandmother used to take my siblings and me to the farmers market, where she’d instantly become friends with anyone she spoke with (it always amazed me!).
That’s what I love most about the Beaverton Farmers Market — the excitement in the air as people talk and laugh with vendors and each other. And everyone’s there to mingle with their neighbors and support local businesses. How could you not arrive and leave with a smile on your face?
My usual Saturday routine starts with reviewing the projects I’m working on for the week, whether personal or for a client. I then make a list of items I need for shoots, like berries, bread, and flowers, and I get ready for the day. And then I’m off! I like to get to the market as soon as it opens.
There are over 100 vendors at the market, and even as a long-time patron, the options can overwhelm me. To set the tone for the day, I make a full circle of the market and glance at each vendor to see what they have available before making any purchases, taking note of any booths that catch my interest. Unlike shopping in a store, each shop stop at the farmers market is a little more meaningful.
I never miss a visit to Knaftak, which serves freshly cooked knafeh, a Middle-Eastern dessert with a sweet cheese filling and a shredded phyllo dough layer topped with a variety of different ingredients, like orange blossom-flavored simple syrup and pistachios. I’m half Middle-Eastern, so I was delighted to see a childhood staple I enjoyed with my family in Kuwait available at my favorite farmers market! It’s so delicious and cheesy.
Another must-see is Riverland Family Farms for certified organic produce. They’re always quick with the perfect recommendations for what to make with their colorful peppers, heirloom tomatoes, zucchini, and fresh fruit. I like to use the berries I find here as an excuse to get my family together and make large batches of jam.
Before leaving the farmers market, I challenge myself to visit at least one vendor I’ve never been to. Recently, T Bee S Honey’s creamed honey caught my eye; it’s raw honey whipped into a beautiful, creamy consistency. I like finding new booths to discover new foods as much as I like chatting with the vendors. As I talked with the owners at T Bee S Honey, I thought they might have specific suggestions for eating the unique honey, but they said I should keep it simple: Spread it on toast or mix it into a drink. (They were right!)
As I leave, I’m met with the aroma coming from Pip’s Donuts, just down the street from the farmers market. It lures me in every time. The pillow-soft mini donuts are made fresh to order, and limited-time flavors make every visit exciting. It’s the best way to end a Saturday morning at the Beaverton Farmers Market.
Once I’m home, I unpack and share my market haul on my Instagram Stories to connect with the community I’m building. I love how each item reminds me of a friendly face I saw or a riveting conversation I had during my morning at the farmers market. It’s so rewarding to connect with the people in my community. Plus, the food is so much more flavorful than what we find in stores!
My Saturday routine at the farmers market is more than a pastime; it’s become a tradition that’s part of who I am. Next time you find yourself in Beaverton on a Saturday morning, check it out. Maybe I’ll see you there!
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