In August, the corn and tomatoes come fresh from Linn County gardens. Later, the apples will be newly-picked from Hood River Valley orchards.

Owner Ron Squires and his son, manager Robert Squires, keep fresh local fruits and vegetables in stock at Country Fair Produce as much as possible.

The store is located at 33754 N. Santiam Highway, about 1.5 miles north of town.

Ron Squires said he contracts with a few local farmers in Linn County to grow corn, beans and tomatoes.

Given the climate, the store features more produce grown in the northwest during the summer.

Set out for sale recently were onions, peaches, avocados, cantaloupe, jicama, plums, potatoes, mushrooms, cauliflower, cabbage, peppers, cucumbers and more.

In addition to fresh products, the store sells specialty items such as jams, salad dressing and salsas. Nuts and dried fruits come from Jansen Farms in Dayton, honey from Hanna's Honey in Salem and flavored garlics from the Garlic Lady in Vancouver, Wash.

Items not grown in the Northwest are obtained from Portland wholesalers.

Ron Squires knows the produce business. He used to be a buyer for a grocery chain.

The business opened in spring 2007. It has stayed open despite the rough economy because prices are lower than found in groceries, Ron Squires said.

"They have to be. This is all we sell," he said. "That's what our draw is."

It helps that more people are cooking at home, too, he said.

In addition to selling retail, the business sells wholesale to some restaurants in the area.

The store is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays.