My First Day at the Rogue Valley Growers & Crafters Market

There are moments in a small business journey that feel like stepping stones—beautifully placed markers that remind you you’re on the right path. This week, I experienced one of those moments: my very first day as a vendor at the Rogue Valley Growers & Crafters Market.

I’ve spent years dreaming, building, growing, and handcrafting. Zi Spice is more than a chocolate company—it’s a love letter to my heritage, to the Rogue Valley, and to the people who value quality, flavor, and sustainability. To finally step into the market space, alongside so many talented farmers and makers, was deeply meaningful.

From the moment I arrived, I could feel the pulse of the community. The hum of early morning setup, the scent of fresh herbs, the sparkle of citrus, the gentle greetings from familiar faces—it was all alive. I felt instantly at home.

What makes the Rogue Valley Growers & Crafters Market so special isn’t just the fresh produce or incredible handmade goods—it’s the spirit of connection. This is a place where people come not just to buy food, but to build relationships—with growers, bakers, artists, and each other. It’s a reflection of everything I believe in as a maker and small business owner.

At Zi Spice, everything I make is deeply rooted in the Rogue Valley. I don’t just create bon bons—I craft edible stories, told through layers of flavor and intention. My fillings are always made with locally sourced, organic ingredients, and if I can’t grow it, forage it, or find it through the Ashland or Medford Co-op or a local farm, I don’t use it.

My Goat Cheese Hazelnut Praline bon bon features the smooth, tangy chèvre from Mama Terra Goat Dairy in the Applegate Valley. It’s a perfect marriage of creamy, bright cheese with the deep richness of toasted hazelnuts and fair-trade dark chocolate. Each bite is a tribute to the incredible work of small-scale local producers.

The Miso Crunch bon bon is another customer favorite—made with Midos Miso, a local miso producer whose small-batch, fermented miso adds savory depth and unexpected warmth. I love that I can infuse a traditional Japanese flavor with locally crafted ingredients, creating something familiar yet entirely new.

And then there’s the fruit—nature’s jewels. I use pears and peaches from Dunbar Farms, their ripeness and sweetness telling you everything you need to know about Southern Oregon soil. My citrus, bright and zesty, comes from Fry Family Farms, where I also rent commercial kitchen space to produce my chocolates.

Every ingredient is part of a bigger story—one of stewardship, resilience, and community. Supporting local farmers and producers isn’t just a tagline for me; it’s a core value. I know the people behind the products, and I see the care they put into their work. That energy goes into every piece of chocolate I create.

That’s why it was such an honor to be welcomed into the Growers & Crafters Market. This isn’t just a place to sell—it’s a place to belong. The vendors around me are some of the most skilled and passionate people I’ve met. From heirloom tomatoes to handcrafted soap, every booth radiated creativity and purpose.

The conversations I had with customers were thoughtful and curious. People asked where my ingredients came from, how I made the ganache, what inspired certain flavor combinations. I got to share my sourcing philosophy, talk about hand-foraging peppermint from Bear Creek in Ashland, and the way I harvest my own saffron, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, lavender, and roses.

I spoke about the chocolate itself, too—how I source cacao from Quantum Cacao, an off-grid Costa Rican farm that uses 100% renewable energy and sustainable growing practices to cultivate heirloom cacao trees. I also use Callebaut White Chocolate, which is fully traceable back to the farm it came from, and only use cacao butter, which is less processed and retains the benefits of cacao. These details matter to me, and it was amazing to see that they matter to my customers too.

Being part of the Rogue Valley Growers & Crafters Market also means being part of a larger conversation about sustainability, food justice, and connection. It’s a place where values aren’t just talked about—they’re practiced. Shoppers are thoughtful, asking questions about origin and process. Vendors collaborate and support each other. There’s a shared respect that binds us all together.

For me, as someone who also volunteers with local schools to teach kids about healthy food and local sourcing, this market is a dream. It brings everything full circle—education, access, taste, and joy. There’s nothing like seeing a child light up while tasting a new flavor, or a parent recognizing the name of a farm on my ingredient list.

There’s something sacred about being so close to the source of what you create. When I hand someone a bon bon and tell them I grew the lavender or foraged the mint myself, there’s a moment of connection that goes beyond a transaction. It’s an offering, not just of food, but of story, memory, and intention.

The Rogue Valley Growers & Crafters Market is a place where this kind of exchange is not only possible but celebrated. I am so grateful to be included among such a vibrant, hardworking, and thoughtful group of vendors. This first market was just the beginning—and already, I feel the roots of something lasting taking hold.

To everyone who stopped by, shared a kind word, tried a sample, asked a question, or just smiled—thank you. Your support means everything.

I’ll be back, with more seasonal flavors, more local love, and more stories to share.

With warmth and gratitude,

Razia Hayden

Founder,

Zi Spice