As more than 2,500 people gathered beneath the Central Oregon sun, fresh cut flowers, warm baked bread, and colorful locally grown produce welcomed another season of the beloved Northwest Crossing Farmers Market in Bend this past Saturday. Children danced to live music while neighbors filled the streets of Northwest Crossing for a weekly tradition that has become one of Bend’s most recognizable community events. For more than a decade, Cascade Hasson Sotheby’s International Realty has served as the presenting sponsor of the market, helping support a gathering where local food, artistry, entrepreneurship, and community connection all come together.
“It’s incredible to see what this market has become,” said Melissa King, who has led the market over the past decade while working year round to recruit vendors, coordinate operations, and create a welcoming experience for thousands of visitors each Saturday. “You can come here and find fresh produce, artisan foods, local makers, live music, and nonprofits all in one place. It really reflects the creativity, entrepreneurship, and community spirit that make Bend unique”
The May 30 opening marked the beginning of the market’s 2026 season, which runs Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. through September 26, and this year’s kickoff arrived with a noticeable sense of excitement.
“We have bakeries scattered throughout the market now, farms scattered throughout the market, so no matter where you enter you’re immediately seeing fresh produce and baked goods,” King said. “That’s really what embodies a farmers market. Then you sprinkle in all the jewelers, artists, and crafters, and it becomes something really special.”
One person helping create those connections on opening day was Alexis Willick, a real estate advisor with Cascade Hasson Sotheby’s International Realty who is celebrating her first year with the firm while hosting the Northwest Crossing Farmers Market on behalf of the brokerage. Rather than simply using the event for prospecting, Alexis focused on bringing local businesses together through intentional partnerships, community storytelling, and shared support for Central Oregon entrepreneurs.
“Being at the first Northwest Crossing Farmers Market of the year has been such a joy,” said Alexis “I love being part of community markets, whether I’m hosting them or simply attending as a guest. The connections I’ve made while talking with residents, handing out locally grown seed packets in collaboration with Bend Seed Company, and directing people to Fibonacci Farm’s organic vegetable booth have been incredible. I’m excited to continue building those relationships throughout the season.”
This past Saturday, Alexis shared her booth with Bend Seed Co. and collaborated with Fibonacci Farm to create an experience centered around sustainability, gardening, and local agriculture. Visitors stopping by received complimentary wildflower seed packets featuring zinnias, sunflowers, poppies, and delphiniums, along with discounts on locally grown produce from Fibonacci Farm.
The collaboration also introduced many market visitors to Aaron Stubbs, founder of Fibonacci Farm, a Bend based farm known for its sustainably grown produce, vibrant flowers, and community supported agriculture program.
Stubbs’ journey into farming began after spending more than a decade working in high end restaurants, where he developed a deep appreciation for locally sourced ingredients and the farmers behind them.
“I got to see for the first time what an equitable food system could actually look like,” Aaron said. “Chefs buying directly from small farms, knowing the farmers, telling their stories to guests at the tables. That changed everything for me.”
Today, Fibonacci Farm operates seven greenhouses in Northeast Bend and serves more than 150 CSA members throughout the region, while continuing to build strong partnerships throughout the local community.
Aaron said collaborations like the one at the Northwest Crossing Farmers Market are helping strengthen awareness around local agriculture while creating meaningful connections between farmers, small businesses, and residents.
“We’ve built a really symbiotic relationship,” Aaron said. “Alexis supports our mission and helps tell our story, and in return we get to connect with more people in the community who care about local food and sustainable farming. That kind of collaboration is huge for small farms like ours.”
Willick said supporting businesses like Fibonacci Farm and Bend Seed Co. felt like a natural extension of why she enjoys being involved in the market.
“I love being part of events like this because they bring together so many of the things that make Bend special,” Alexis said. “It’s local farmers, local businesses, neighbors, and families all supporting each other. Those connections are what build strong communities.”
Still, much of the market’s charm comes from the deeply personal stories behind the booths themselves, where passion projects, lifestyle changes, and small business dreams often intersect.
One of the standout examples on opening day was Jessica Navig, owner of Lady Sourdough, whose beautifully crafted loaves and unexpectedly addictive sourdough cookies quickly drew one of the longest lines of the morning.
Navig said her business began not with a formal culinary background, but with a mother’s search for healthier ingredients.
“I actually started baking because my son has eczema,” Navig explained. “I was looking for different ways to clean up ingredients and products in our home. A friend gave me a sourdough starter, and then I just fell in love with the process.”
What started as homemade bread soon evolved into a full business after friends and family kept asking for more loaves and her husband encouraged her to begin selling them.
Originally from Oregon, Navig recently returned to the Pacific Northwest after spending more than a decade in Florida and is now introducing her thoughtfully crafted baked goods to Bend for the very first time.
“We try to make everything as clean as possible,” she said. “Our base flour is organic barley and hard red wheat, and we grind some of our own fresh berries. We’re just really excited to connect with people here in Bend.”
By late morning, trays of fresh sourdough, flower bouquets, live music, handmade goods, and countless neighborhood conversations had once again transformed Northwest Crossing into something far greater than a traditional farmers market. It had become what it has quietly represented for years: one of Bend’s clearest expressions of community.
And judging by the steady line surrounding Lady Sourdough throughout the morning, Jessica Navig may already have one of the market’s newest local favorites.
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