Not Just a Market: Northwest Crossing Turns Saturdays Into a Community Lifeline

Every summer Saturday, the Northwest Crossing Farmers Market transforms a quiet Bend neighborhood into a vibrant community hub. With more than 3,000 visitors browsing fresh produce, artisan bread, and handmade goods, the market feels festive — but what happens behind the scenes is what truly sets it apart.

For 18 years, this market has been a cornerstone of local life. It’s a space where neighbors connect, farms grow, and — increasingly — where food insecurity is addressed in real, tangible ways.

At the center of this impact is Grow & Give, a program by the High Desert Food & Farm Alliance (HDFFA), in partnership with NeighborImpact, one of Central Oregon’s leading hunger relief organizations. Together, they’ve turned the market into a fresh food collection point, inviting patrons to buy a little extra or donate garden surplus for families in need.

“Grow & Give is the only fresh food donation program of its kind in Central Oregon,” said Christine Boyle, HDFFA’s Food Access Coordinator. “We collect donations at the market, in gardens, and on farms — and all of it goes to people, not waste.”

The numbers tell the story. In 2024, Grow & Give gathered 31,698 pounds of produce, enough for more than 26,000 meals. Since 2016, they’ve delivered over 214,000 pounds to hunger relief partners, including 50+ food pantries served by NeighborImpact.

“Every Saturday, HDFFA is right there at the entrance with bins ready,” said Melissa King, director of the Northwest Crossing market. “They make it easy for people to participate — and they do.”

This kind of impact only works when community partnerships run deep. The market not only hosts donation booths but also offers space each week for nonprofits like The Giving Plate, CASA, and NeighborImpact to connect directly with the public. It’s a natural mix of commerce and care.

This year, the market continues to evolve. A new Sprout Zone offers face painting and kids’ activities to make the space more family-friendly. And new farm vendors — Casares Farm and Zodiac Farm — are expanding access to local food and helping strengthen the region’s agricultural network.

“Every new farm we welcome makes the local food system stronger,” said King. “And we’re lucky to have a community that supports that growth.”

Among those community supporters is Cascade Hasson Sotheby’s International Realty, which has served as the market’s title sponsor for five years. Their ongoing support helps fund market operations, vendor logistics, and outreach efforts. But they’re not just writing checks — they’re showing up.

Each week, Cascade Hasson agents host a tent at the market where they share local property listings and connect with potential buyers — many of whom are drawn to the Northwest Crossing neighborhood by the very spirit the market represents.

“It’s a great way for our advisors to meet people organically,” said Gary Nolan, the firm’s Chief Marketing Officer. “But more than that, it’s a way to support something meaningful. We want to be present in the places that build real community — and this market is one of them.”

For King, that kind of presence matters. “Cascade Hasson isn’t just a name on a banner — they’re here, talking with vendors and meeting locals. They get what we’re doing.”

As the season hits full swing, the market is a weekly reminder of what’s possible when food, community, and purpose come together. What started as a local farmers market has become a local force — redistributing food, empowering farmers, and helping a region take care of its own.

From bins of carrots to booths full of hope, the Northwest Crossing Farmers Market is more than just a place to shop. It’s a place to show up, pitch in, and feed something bigger.