The Corvallis, Ore. Farmers’ Market outdoor season returned on April 16 with a variety of vendors, including a new Oregon State University food truck and a re-opened vendor booth.

A substantial crowd gathered on First Street on April 16, ignoring the rain which started around 10:30 a.m., and dozens of vendors lined the road to offer their wares. The selection varied with vegetables from businesses like Veun’s Garden, Beene Farm, Gathering Together Farm and others, as well as vendors offering honey, baked goods, mushrooms, meats, fish, cheese and flowers.

OSU food science students Natalie Shaffer, Hannah Lee, Leo Ye and Gavin Thorud manned a new bright orange food truck from the OSU Creamery and Beaver Classic, selling cheese, ice cream and grilled cheese sandwiches. 

Shaffer said the food-sci students take care of everything related to the food truck including making the cheese and ice cream, picking up milk from OSU’s dairy, packaging and sales. She said they also make the base wines and other alcohol used to make soaked cheeses like cider soaked cheddar and pinot noir soaked cheddar. 

Shaffer said they also sell jerky from the OSU Meat Lab and honey from the apiary and at some point, they plan to sell more specialty sandwiches and incorporate fresh ingredients from the Organic Growers’ Club on campus. According to Shaffer, Beaver Classic cheese is available for order on their website as well. 

Lee said they have a lot going on as they’re preparing to release new ice cream flavors alongside the specialty sandwiches. Shaffer said the students have full creative freedom over new cheese and ice cream flavors as well. 

The Bread Board, which had to close during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, re-opened for the first time in two years. The stand offered a variety of baked goods and was run by owner John Bolkmann and Amara and Amber Houghtaling. 

Avery’s Honey, owned and run by 13-year-old Avery Garcia and his dad Greg Garcia, presented a table of honey in containers from three ounces all the way up to 12 pounds. Avery wasn’t running the stand since it’s the middle of the school year, but Greg Garcia said his son has been beekeeping for six years.

According to Greg Garcia, Avery Garcia has loved beekeeping ever since a family friend suited him up and took him out to see the beehives. Greg Garcia said this friend bought his son his first hive and now all the profits go to his college fund, as he plans to attend OSU. 

Peace Seedlings, owned and run by Dylana Kapuler and Mario DiBenedetto, sold flower bouquets, succulents, seeds and handmade willow baskets. Peace Seedlings is a second-generation seed company started by Kapuler’s father in the 1980s. 

DiBenedetto said they sell public domain seeds and try to bring unique colors and architecture to their veggies and flowers. According to DiBenedetto, he and Kapuler keep the business running while caring for their baby daughter, Calypsa, who is named after the Calypso orchid.

La Mariposa sells cow’s milk cheese, including spreadables and Chubut made from Argentinian recipes. La Mariposa, established in 2009, is owned and run by Mariano and Alejandro Battro. Battro said they make their products at a cheese plant in Salem, Ore. 

The Corvallis Farmers’ Market is open on First Street from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesdays and Saturdays through November 23.