Tenino Farmers Market

Tenino Farmers Market frames itself around sustainable foods, farms, and community, with a stated mission to provide the community with a vibrant market experience. The market runs as a seasonal Saturday market in Tenino from May through September, pairing fresh, locally grown produce with plants, hand-crafted products, music, events, activities, and community outreach. That mix gives the market a broad small-town shape without losing its food focus: shoppers can come for produce and still find growers, makers, and public-facing programs in one stop.

Why it matters locally

Olympia Street in downtown Tenino is the market’s seasonal home, and the market begins there on the first Saturday in May before continuing every Saturday through September. Its role is explicitly tied to direct farm and producer sales: the market describes farmers market shopping as a way to benefit farmers and producers directly while giving shoppers access to unique products, heirloom varieties, and opportunities to build relationships and learn about healthy eating.

The local importance also shows up in how the market is run. Tenino Farmers Market operates in accordance with Washington State Farmers Market Association Roots Guidelines, Washington State Department of Agriculture regulations, and Thurston County Public Health & Social Services farmers market rules and permitting. The market also links donations to programs such as the Washington State Farmers Market Nutrition Programs, connecting support for the market to nutrition access beyond a single shopping trip.

What you'll find there

The market’s own description emphasizes a blend of farm goods, nursery items, handcrafted work, prepared foods, and regular programming rather than a produce-only setup. Vendor applications are open to farmers, producers, artisans, and prepared food vendors that qualify under WSFMA Roots Guidelines, which gives a clear sense of the mix shoppers can expect.

• -Find fresh, locally grown produce at the market.
• -Browse plants offered as part of the regular market mix.
• -Shop hand-crafted products from participating vendors.
• -Pick up prepared foods from approved market vendors.

Know before you go

No dogs is the clearest visit policy to plan around, especially if you usually bring a pet to outdoor markets. The market is held on Olympia Street in downtown Tenino, with the visitor address listed as 213 Sussex Ave W, and it runs on Saturdays from 10am to 3pm during the May-to-September season.

This market also builds special dates into the season calendar, so a given Saturday may have more going on than a standard shop-and-go visit. Posted events include Opening Day, Kids Day programs, a Father’s Day Market with the T90 Quarrymen Car Club, a Blue Ribbon Pie Contest tied to Oregon Trail Days weekend, National Farmers Market Week celebrations, Garlic Day & Scavenger Hunt, Customer Appreciation Day, and a Final Market & Pumpkin Day. One schedule note stands out: the market lists a 1pm early closure on July 4.

Payments & SNAP

SNAP/EBT is accepted at Tenino Farmers Market, which matters if you are planning a food-focused shop rather than just browsing. The market also connects donations to Washington State Farmers Market Nutrition Programs, signaling a broader commitment to nutrition access alongside regular market shopping.