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29 April 2013

Markets Begin to Sprout Up Around Town

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From Amy Hunter of Weinstein PR

Just as broccoli, sweet pea and radish sprouts peek out of the tilled garden beds through the Portland area, six Portland Farmers Market locations are sprouting up around the city.

May marks three market openings:

June will welcome farmers back to:

“Mark your calendar, grab your market basket, and come on over to one of the many markets opening up in these next few weeks,” says Trudy Toliver, Executive Director of Portland Farmers Market. “Every purchase you make at a farmers market not only feeds your family the freshest and healthiest produce and proteins available, your purchase also helps to feed our local farmers and ranchers and their families.”

In its 22 years, Portland Farmers Market has sustained the region’s food and farming community by helping to launch more than 50 small businesses and providing a lively and profitable sales outlet for small family farms, many of which count on farm-direct sales as their main source of income.
BUCKMAN CELEBRATES ITS 10TH BIRTHDAY

The Buckman Portland Farmers Market will celebrate its tenth year of bringing farm fresh food to the residents of Southeast Portland this season. On opening day, vendors will each receive a bottle of sparking cider to uncap at opening bell. Vendors and market staff will toast the past decade and the season ahead, and new and dedicated Buckman shoppers are invited to join in.
DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR MATCHING PROGRAM EXPANDS TO KENTON

As in past seasons, shoppers eligible for SNAP benefits will be able to receive $1 tokens using their Oregon Trail Card to purchase fruit, vegetables, meat, bread, cheese and some baked goods all Portland Farmers Market locations. Additionally, SNAP recipients can receive a dollar-for-dollar match up to $5 in tokens through Fresh Exchange, a program of Farmers Market Fund, at the King, Buckman and Northwest markets and, new for this year, the Kenton location. The program’s expansion to the Kenton Market was made possible through a generous donation from long-time market supporter New Seasons Market, who has donated $11,000 to Farmers Market Fund to support Fresh Exchange in 2013.

Since its inception, nearly $75,000 has been distributed through Fresh Exchange to residents in need. These funds have ultimately been directed into the hands of regional food producers, contributing to the success of the local food economy and fostering healthier communities. For the past two seasons, market sponsor Dave’s Killer Bread has donated 25 percent of profits from market booth sales to the Farmers Market Fund to support Fresh Exchange. Since 2011, Dave’s Killer Bread has donated more than $11,000 to the program.
NEW VENDORS

These six markets will welcome the following new vendors to the Portland Farmers Market family:

  • Able Farms (Kenton) – Portland, OR – Organically grown produce, pastured pork, poultry and eggs from their farms in St. Johns and Sauvie Island.
  • Café de Crepe (Kenton) – Portland, OR – Sweet and savory crepes using fresh local ingredients.
  • Eva’s Herbucha (Buckman) – Portland, OR – A unique blend of kombucha with the wonderful flavors and effects of herbs and herbal teas. herbucha.com
  • Honey Mama’s (Shemanski, PSU) – Portland, OR – Their flagship product is a nutrient rich, cocoa-honey treat called Nectar Fudge, a soy-, dairy- and gluten-free food, made from five pure ingredients.
  • InTownAg (King, PSU) – Portland, OR – Neighborhood crops farmed in Portland yards brought to market through garden sharing with homeowners.
  • K Family Farm (Kenton) – Albany, OR – Strawberries, raspberries, green beans and other produce.
  • Kenton Plant Starts (Kenton) – Portland, OR – Growing edible plant starts in Portland for Portland gardeners.
  • Little Localvore (King, PSU) Portland, OR – Always-fresh baby food made in a certified kitchen using locally grown, organic fruits, vegetables and grains.
  • Mama Tee’s Farmstead (Buckman) – Willamina, OR – Pesticide- and herbicide-free quality produce grown in a small, diverse, sustainable environment.
  • Mickelberry Gardens (Northwest, Shemanski, Buckman, PSU) – Gresham, OR – Specializing in treatment-free raw honey and bee products used to make Honey Tonics and organic skincare.
  • Micro Mercantes (King) – Portland, OR – Latino culinary businesses apply to a program of Hacienda CDC, where they can develop their entrepreneurial skills. Rotating menu.
  • Momo Cart (Pioneer Courthouse Square, Buckman) – Portland, OR – Authentic Nepali steamed dumplings, served from a bike cart.
  • Nightlight Farms (King, Pioneer Courthouse Square, Shemanski, PSU) – Portland, OR – A truly urban farm at 39th and E. Burnside offering specialty microgreens.
  • OlyKraut (King, Pioneer Courthouse Square, Shemanski, Buckman) – Olympia, WA – Probiotic, organic, raw and vegan fermented vegetable products, sourced as locally as possible.
  • Pacific Northwest Kale Chips (Pioneer Courthouse Square) – Portland, OR – Small-batch kale chip maker dedicated to delivering locally-sourced, organic and sustainable food combined with an artisan approach to flavor and texture.
  • Portland Juice Press (Pioneer Courthouse Square) – Portland, OR – Freshly-pressed fruit and veggie juices.
  • The Kale Company (Buckman) – Portland, OR – Hand-made kale chips from small batches using super-fresh organic ingredients.
  • Thrive Pacific NW (Pioneer Courthouse Square) – Portland, OR – Internationally influenced, gluten-free bowls, using seasonal produce, free-range animal products and sustainable seafood.