Rogue Food Unites celebrates one year of free farmers markets

It’s a fall afternoon in October in Talent, and Cynthia Guillen and Arlene Thommen are shopping at a farmers market.

“It’s like our trick-or-treating,” Guillen laughs. “Vegetable-treating!”

A table is piled with fresh, organic produce: peppers, beef, eggs, avocados, apples and more.

Most shoppers come back every week, laughing and catching up with friends. Guillen and Thommen said the variety of produce has inspired them to try cooking new dishes, and they appreciate that it’s all so fresh and beautiful, not leftover seconds.

As music plays in the background, Thommen walks along the table with volunteer Carolyn Singh and fills her basket: parsley, lettuce, tomatoes, broccoli.

The trick? All of this food is free.