Nancy first came to the markets when she was helping out a vendor that sold salad greens by watching their stand about 30-40 years ago. Their stand was right on Main St and looked out where the Civic Center is now. But then, the Civic Center was not there. The markets were much smaller, with fewer vendors and people coming through. It had a different energy, “it was more of a farm town and less of a city like it is now.” Now the markets are much bigger with crowds, and there are more vendors with ready-to-eat hot foods. She loves this as she almost always starts her market day with something from Comida Kin or biscuits and gravy from Cousin Kenny’s.

 While working for a vendor brought her to the markets, it’s the people and the produce that keeps her coming back all these years later. Every visit Nancy finds a new favorite thing for that day. Today it was the performance from Portland Taiko, she loved it so much it gave her goosebumps! She loves talking with the vendors, especially the farm vendors. She loves going to their farm stands and learning about how they grow the food that they bring to the markets.

Over time, her favorite vendors have grown in popularity, now often having long lines. Nancy has started supporting some of the newer and smaller vendors. It means she does not have to wait in long lines, is able to find new products – hidden gems, and take some of the pressure off older vendors. In this way, it helps everyone in the community.

Nancy loves being able to wander the markets and the energy within them. She feels so energized by the community. She is grateful to see that Hillsboro Farmers’ Markets have survived the pandemic and seemed to grow since then.