AntFarm’s Mount Hood Farmers Market: More Than a Market, It’s a Movement

By Devin Kelly, for The Mountain Times

Every Friday afternoon in downtown Sandy, something vibrant takes root. Tents pop up. Berries glisten in baskets. A guitar hums. Neighbors gather. At the Mount Hood Farmers Market, fresh food, local talent, and community spirit come together in a weekly celebration that’s as fun as it is nourishing.

Held May through October, Fridays from 2-7 p.m. at 38600 Proctor Blvd in Sandy; the market delivers more than goods. It delivers connection, purpose, and equity. Hosted and managed by AntFarm Youth and Family Services, the market is powered by youth and AntFarm staff, supported by neighbors, and shaped by the values of access and opportunity. Its home is a space generously provided by Brent Leathers and family on behalf of the Lila Skipper Foundation; their contribution has helped transform the heart of Sandy into a vibrant gathering place.

A Decade of Growth and Community Roots. Although the market officially launched in 2015, its roots stretch back to 2011, when AntFarm and the City of Sandy partnered to create a small community garden. The next year, youth involved in the garden began selling produce in the city plaza during an eight-week summer pilot. At the time, Sandy had no weekly farmers market, just a once-a-month artist fair.

From there, momentum grew. In 2013, AntFarm helped develop the Sandy Public Market and launched its own AntFarm Local Market storefront. By 2015, those early experiments had evolved into the full-scale Mount Hood Farmers Market, dedicated to nourishing bodies and building community through local food, youth leadership, and rural resilience.

Youth at the Heart of the Market. Every element of the market reflects AntFarm’s mission to support youth and families across rural Clackamas County. It’s not just a farmer’s market, it’s somewhere that shows how increasing food access works. One of the market’s defining features is its commitment to accessibility. The Mount Hood Farmers Market proudly accepts SNAP benefits and participates in the Double Up Food Bucks program. Shoppers using Oregon Trail EBT cards can receive market tokens at the info booth, and Double Up will match their produce purchases up to $20 per day. That means a shopper spending $20 in SNAP can walk away with $40 worth of fresh fruits and vegetables.

This model supports families who are stretching their grocery budgets while also investing in local farmers. It’s a simple, effective system that reduces food insecurity and helps create a more equitable food economy. Programs like these bring a unique energy to the market and ensure it remains rooted in purpose as much as produce.

The market also serves as a platform for youth voice, giving young people a chance to connect with neighbors, share their skills, and participate in shaping a healthy, inclusive community.

New This Season: Garden Club Fridays  Starting July 18, the market launched a new educational feature: the Mount Hood Farmers Market Garden Club. Led by AntFarm’s garden lead and local farmer Carson Krause, this free weekly series offers practical, low-cost gardening tips for all ages. Each Friday at 4 p.m., Carson will lead a 30-minute workshop covering topics like composting, watering basics, crop deep-dives, and garden pests.

After the workshop, Carson sticks around for open Q&A at the booth until 7 p.m. His teaching style is relaxed, science-based, and always connected to real experience. Free take-home notes are provided each week, and special guest gardeners will join throughout the season. Those who want to keep learning can volunteer at AntFarm’s Learning Garden in Sandy, on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

A Marketplace Full of Local Flavor. This season’s lineup is diverse and dynamic. During the Sandy Mountain Festival weekend, the market hosted 60+ vendors, our largest turnout to date. Visitors can expect a rotating cast of farmers, bakers, food carts, crafters, and community groups. Not every vendor is present each week, but regulars include local favorites like Slice of Heaven Farm, Green Heart Garden, Lee J. Gardens, Yoshi’s Berries, Nueva Vista Farms, Chickadee, Cedar Soap Co. and many more. This year we are also offering a selection of food carts on-site for the first time. 

Each Friday is a little different, with live music, youth-led booths, seasonal themes, and family-friendly surprises that keep the market feeling fresh week after week. Be sure to follow the market on Facebook and Instagram for weekly vendor lineups. 

Another example of how the market strengthens community trust is through the presence of Nuevo Futuro, a culturally-specific AntFarm program that supports LatinX families across the region. Nuevo Futuro hosts a booth at the market every second Friday from 2-7 p.m., offering information about upcoming health education classes on topics like HIV and tobacco prevention, as well as distributing diapers to families in need. By showing up consistently in a welcoming, informal environment, the Nuevo Futuro team helps build lasting relationships and ensures that LatinX families are aware of the resources and support available to them.

Power of Produce and Creative Learning  Another standout offering is the Power of Produce (POP) program. Each week, kids who stop by the POP booth are invited to complete a fun, market-inspired arts and crafts project tied to the week’s theme. From pollinator puppets to garden sign painting to plant-your-own basil kits, these hands-on activities help children connect to their food, the seasons, and their creativity.

After completing the activity, each child receives $4 in POP tokens to spend on fresh fruits and vegetables of their choice. It’s a program that puts purchasing power directly into young hands and encourages curiosity, independence, and healthy habits. Families often linger together at the POP booth, creating something small but meaningful that extends the learning beyond the shopping bag.

Why It All Matters  Inclusive, community-rooted markets are more than groceries. They’re about connection, pride, and possibility. A market like this brings people together, supports small business growth, promotes healthy lifestyles, and builds real leadership opportunities for local youth.

It also serves as a visible reminder that rural communities are creative, resilient, and ready to invest in one another. Whether someone comes for the berries, the live music, the garden advice, or the sense of belonging, the Mount Hood Farmers Market offers something real, week after week.

The Mount Hood Farmers Market is made possible thanks to the support of generous community partners and statewide funding sources committed to food access, economic development, and climate resilience. Funding is provided in part by Double Up Food Bucks Oregon, Clackamas Soil & Water Conservation District, Embold Credit Union, Farmers Market Fund Growth Grant, Oregon Health Authority’s Farm Direct Nutrition Program, and the Oregon Farmers Market Association’s Climate Resilient Farmers Market Grant. Their investment helps ensure that the market remains inclusive, youth-powered, and sustainable for years to come.

Get Involved. Whether you want to vend, volunteer, donate, or just enjoy the atmosphere, there’s a place for you. To learn more, visit our website and follow the market on Facebook and Instagram @mounthoodfarmersmarket