Saturday mornings in Corvallis are lowkey magical. Fresh fruit, baked goods, and vintage vibes line the streets while students and locals mix, chat, and vibe. The farmers market is basically a mini escape from adulting, complete with cute finds and good energy.
A lively collection of individuals wander through the market, browsing the vendor stalls. Neighbors strike up friendly conversations, and college students make an effort to acclimate to the Corvallis community.
Grace McDaniels, a second year student at Oregon State University, describes the farmers market as, “very whimsical and very nostalgic for me, and I think it just gets you in a good mood. There are kids dancing and music playing. It’s a lot of fun.”
In the early winter, birds are humming, and the Willamette River jostles, providing the natural sounds one could only dream of.
“It’s a great opportunity to meet Corvallis beyond campus, purchase fresh, healthy produce, connect with the community, and get cute little doodads. It’s a fun little off-campus adventure that’s within walking distance,” says Halleigh Travis, a first year student at OSU.
A variety of booths line the streets of the waterfront. Local bakeries, farms, gardens, vintage clothes, and handmade jewelry—an assortment of vendors come out each week to make the farmers market happen. The people of Corvallis also show up, creating the easy-going, friendly environment that every farmers market should have.
Beatrice Williams, a first year student, says, “I really enjoy walking there with all my friends, especially when the weather is nice, and exploring all the stalls because there’s something for everyone. I also love getting a snack while I browse. It definitely makes my week.”
However, once students leave the calm, slow-living bubble that the farmers market encourages, reality starts to creep back in, and they begin to question whether the ten-dollar loaf of bread really was necessary.
“I love supporting local businesses; however, it can be difficult as a college student because there’s so many things that my money can go toward. So, I sometimes regret dropping like twelve dollars on a snack,” Williams says.
The majority of college students would not say that they feel financially stable.
“I always knew I was going to college, but I never thought about the expenses. The debt kind of came out of nowhere, especially since our parents’ college was so much cheaper,” says Williams.
“I viewed myself being completely and utterly financially independent at this point, just from being oblivious as a kid and not really understanding how it works when you get to college, and also just the economy right now,” says third year student Sabina Rosenthal.
Most students wouldn’t have pictured spending their money on classic farmers market purchases as adults. They probably imagined spending it on Hostess cupcakes and ice cream for breakfast.
Travis says, “I did kind of think that as an adult, you just didn’t have to listen to anybody, so you could eat whenever and whatever you wanted.”
“Life as an adult is honestly way different than I ever imagined,” says first year student Madeline Sanico. “College can be a lot mentally and physically, and especially with the added money stressors and lack of free time, I just really needed to find new ways to make life exciting.”
Having an escape at the end of the week to buy an overpriced muffin or peruse vintage clothes with friends is a good reset from the craziness of college. McDaniels shares, “It’s easier to go each day. When you find joy in the little things, everything else is a lot more fun.”
Rent being due, not having time for yourself, a million upcoming tests to study for, and impending doom about the future can all fade away with a little romanticization of life.
“Just getting off campus and having a moment to walk downtown and see all the old, historic houses definitely does make college feel like more of a slower, peaceful life,” Travis says.
