On this first day of Spring, The PSU/Portland Farmers Market opened, bringing a sea of happy faces.
This year the market has expanded to cover two full blocks, approximately double the size of previous years. This means more room to roam between stalls, space for additional vendors, and better traffic flow for less of a crowded feel.
There is no denying that we are obsessive about all things food; it’s where our city comes alive. The market feeds the soul of our community. When you overhear a lengthy and passionate discussion between a vendor and a buyer on how the free range Tibetan yak sausage differs from the water buffalo version; where one cheese maker breaks into perfectly pronounced French over a question about the “mystery cheese” he made by mistake last year; and when a proud tweed-suited older gentleman and his well-dressed lady companion of the same age, cradle a bundle of pure white leeks in their arms, all of this shows that Portland is a very special town and that the farmers market is one of its jewels.
You couldn’t ask for nicer weather! A good selection of early season crops is available, including mushrooms, leeks, ramps, carrots, potatoes, and a variety of root vegetables.
Of course, lots of familiar vendors have returned: Alma Chocolate, Ancient Heritage Dairy, Bittersweet Farm Revival, Black Sheep Bakery, Blossom Vinegars, Blue Gardenia, Blue Heron Herbary, Boyco Foods, C’est Si Bon!, Cafe Velo, Cherry Country, Chop Butchery & Charcuterie, Columbia River Fish Co… the list goes on and on. The PSU Portland Farmers Market is one of my favorite places to take out-of-town visitors just for the spectacle of it all.
Leo says
The farmer’s market was alright today, but the whole “doubling the size of the market” thing is totally cancelled out by the fact that they added 19 new vendors (I think 12 of those are at the PSU market) so if anything it’s even more crowded. We’ll see how it goes as the season continues though
johnny says
I haven’t been down there in a while but the last time I was there I felt like I was in a cattle herd it was just so crowded it took any enjoyment out of the experience I can’t imagine it doubling I feel uncomfortable just thinking about it.
pdxyogi says
They doubled in footprint, NOT in number of vendors. They added only a handful of vendors. As a result, they are far more spread out. More market area = lower density of people, not higher.
Problem solved. Your discomfort, I can’t help.
johnny says
I willl take your and microfoams advice I will definitely go down earlier my only issue is the crowds Thanks!
Leo says
I never said/wrote/claimed they doubled in vendors. They added 19 new vendors, several of which are at the PSU market. Doubling the space only added 25 more stalls for a total of 120 vendors (I know all this information because I asked) and they have ~175 vendors between all of their markets. More market area + being at maximum capacity = not solving the crowding problem.
Reading is a skill.
truthypup says
Whatever the stats, it sure seemed less crowded yesterday, and there was much more room to maneuver around. HOWEVER, it was still crazy busy, and the prepared food especially was basically unattainable, everything was sold-out or had 30 people in line.
pdxyogi says
Reading is always a good thing, but experience trumps all. I was there Saturday and it seemed less crowded than previous early spring markets.
And to anyone who did find it so busy, consider the weather that was far better than average. Add that to the anticipation for the season opener.
wine&dine says
no need to get snarky boys
JRD says
Your original post makes no sense. How does a 100% increase in market area and only an ~11% increase in vendors (using your numbers: 120 total vendors including 12 new vendors) lead you to the conclusion that “so if anything it’s even more crowded”? Sure sounds like less density/crowding to me.
Attempting to make a point using actual logic is a skill.
Dan Wedin says
Is it open on Sundays?
pdxyogi says
http://www.portlandfarmersmarket.org/
It’s all here. Read it for yourself.
I don’t like that you can’t take a full circle and see all booths. You must loop around and double back. Too bad. Some will get overlooked, especially the ones at the south end.
wine&dine says
I agree, there was some confusion with the food booths spread out, lines were long.
Some vendors in their old spots others moved. Getting the new lay of the land will help
as well as being there earlier to avoid the masses that hit by 10.
Growing pains.
Cuisine Bonne Femme says
There seems to be two distinct crowds at the PSU market: those who are there to just shop and those who are there as a form of entertainment/social activity in addition to shopping. The latter group, which often includes tourists, gaggles of groups en famille, and tourists can tend to clog the whole market shopping experience for those looking for efficiency. But really, if someone is looking for efficiency at the market then you might want to shop elsewhere or…
I tend to use the market for shopping first and foremost so I generally get there at 9 and split by 10. I’m also a big fan of the Montavilla Market. Great vendors, less crowds.
I also like Microfoam’s below comment.
Microfoam says
This (PSU) market is open only on Saturdays. If you don’t like the crowds, get yer lazy ass out of bed on time and see what you’ve been missing, especially since it opens at 8:30. The market is rarely crowded until around 11.
PSU_market_tourist says
$5 for 6 eggs…you…have…to…be…f#@#*&@…kidding.
I used to shop at PSU years ago but now we just go for entertainment and a slice of tastebud pizza. I do shop at Hollywood, Montavilla, and even occasionally at Vancouver, however.
The thing that really amuses me is that some of the vendors at PSU sell the *same items* at new seasons/whole paycheck for quite a bit less. For example, you can buy hedgehog shrooms from an unnamed supplier at new seasons for $12 a pound (instead of $18 a pound at PSU…yikes).
pdxyogi says
Shiitake mushrooms for $10 at PSU. Less fresh for $12 at New Seasons.
Leslie says
While I can’t speak for all vendors, I will say there is good reason behind price differences (I am happy to explain this to anyone who stops by as should other vendors who you feel may be a little high on prices, I’d rather have someone ask than bypass PFM for any supermarket.)
Yes, you may pay more at my booth for some items compared to supermarkets however you can be assured of several things; what you buy is of the highest quality (usually harvested less than 20 hours from when you put it in your bag.) You are paying the producer directly rather than a middle man. You pay closer to the true cost of food production rather than a subsidized cost.
Most important to me, being able to market directly and charge a fair price for my produce has allowed me to pay my employees a living wage (this includes myself/family) offer health insurance to all my employees as well as paid sick leave.
So a big thank you to all of you who do brave the crowds! Please keep coming and yes, it is pretty empty from 8:30-10:45ish.
PSU_market_tourist says
“you may pay more at my booth for some items compared to supermarkets”
My post pointed out that several *local* vendors charge significantly less for the same items at local supermarkets. If you don’t sell to supermarkets at a lower cost then my post does not apply to you.
“I will say there is good reason behind price differences”
I can think of two: yuppies and tourists.
pdxyogi says
PSU: Many of the vendors are so small that they do NOT sell to any supermarket. You will only find their unique quality products at their booth. Period.
No way that tourists buy more than lunch at a cart or the occasional pint of strawberries. The only significant contribution they make to the market is in the form of gawkers and photographers impeding the real shoppers who support the growers.
I’m no yuppy, and have been a fervent constant supporter and promoter of PFM since day one at Alber’s Mill.
Michelle says
PSU_market_tourist- There is a good possibility that yes, prices are lower at supermarkets for certain items. But beyond that you have NO idea what you’re talking about.
Have you EVER considered that supermarkets pay the farmer less than the farmer gets if they sell direct to consumers at the market? Or that the market can afford to sell the items for just barely above what they paid because they make a ton of money and “local” stuff are possibly loss leaders? And a lot of stuff isn’t cheaper. Random tasteless sweet potato from supermarket= $2.50/lb. Sweet potato from my favorite farmer= $2.50/lb
Did you consider that Leslie’s farm is RARE because they sell a lot of great specialty product, have created a brand for themselves, and can therefore charge enough to pay themselves and their employees not only a living wage but health insurance and sick leave(super rare)? You can’t even imagine how awesome this is for a farm.
Did you consider that there are MANY farmers not able to pay themselves MINIMUM wage. I once saw a farmer tear up, thanking his buyers, because he and his wife were able to make minimum wage 2 years in a row. It was powerful.
Seriously, I cannot believe anyone believes that farmers are ripping off the customer. You have no idea the deal you’re getting. And if you want to get an even better deal, sign up for a CSA.
Food Dude says
I’ve been to MANY farmers markets, all over the world, and have to say that PFM is right up there in the top 2-3. There is a reason that it gets crowded with tourists later in the morning.
I’d echo what others have said: if you are shopping for lots of things, get there before 10. If you just want to wander and have a good time people watching and whatnot, get there anytime.
As far as the prices, I’ve noticed a fairly high rate of increase at some stalls, and prices are getting up there. However, there is something about buying my food, outdoors, in the sunlight, surrounded by happy people, and directly from the vendor that makes me happy, and willing to pay a little bit more.
PSU_market_tourist says
“You have no idea the deal you’re getting.”
YES — I —- DO. We buy the same organic, local produce at other farmers markets.
“have created a brand for themselves”
“they sell a lot of great specialty product”
Sungold farms sells Padron peppers for 50% less than Viridian farms. Those brown take out boxes are cute though.
Aaron says
THAT’S what makes the market such a different experience than the supermarket! Especially at a market the size of PSU, there are MULTIPLE vendors carrying identical/similar products. You may put price first, so the peppers from Sungold will attract you. Another shopper may value the connection or conversation or packaging more, so they’ll get them from a different vendor. Some vendors place their prices very prominently, others hide them so you have to ask. One vendor is not inherently undervalueing their product while another is price-gouging.
Bottom line: kvetching about prices farmers are charging is flat-out disrespectful to the vendors. If you think someone is overcharging, DON’T BUY FROM THEM! The market has SO much more choice than a supermarket does – utilize it!
For instance, last Saturday there were at least 3 different vendors offering pork. They were from totally different production systems, and had totally different price structures (and you might be VERY surprised at who was the most/least expensive!). At New Seasons, as much as I love shopping there, there is but ONE pork option (occasionally a second to include Carlton Farms product).
Although PSU_market_tourist is the one who voiced this here, it is a widespread phenomenon. Save your offended outrage for something that truly warrants it! If you think something at the market is overpriced, either ask the vendor why, or don’t buy it.
One Tart says
It’s tough to compare the same product from two totally different farms. I adore both Viridian and Sungold, but unless you yourself are a farmer, there are probably one heck of a lot of details about pricing of which you are unaware. (Size of farm and the ability of the farmer to pay a certain quality of employee, to name a few.) This holds true for all industries, no? When comparing the price of produce purchased at the grocery store to that purchased directly from the farmer, why not make a broad generalization that a dress purchased at the Gap is far less expensive than one from Idom or Lena Medoyoff?
Here’s a link to the Viridian Farms sustainability promise:
http://www.viridianfarms.com/sustainability2.htm
I could probably charge a heck of a lot less for my cookies or make a whole lot more if I purchased cheaper ingredients. No thanks.
Leslie says
Yes, Our padrons are more expensive than Vicky’s.
First for the reasons I stated in my previous post. Paying well above min. wage (not even talking about the ridiculously low agricultural min.wage,) health insurance,paid sick leave (according to the Farm Bureau we are the only farm doing this) significantly raises my costs.
Second, our growing and marketing costs are more. Because we believe the quality is better, our Padron seed comes from Spain as well as many of our other specialty products. All of these seeds cost about double than what a similar variety is from a domestic supplier. Those cute take out boxes cost more than berry pint boxes and hold more too. Not 50% more, but coupled with these other factors, yes, my padrons cost more than Vicky’s.
My point is, is that just because something costs more does not mean the vendor is trying to rip anyone off. I’d rather have someone ask me why my tomatoes or padrons are more expensive than just walk on by and complain to others later.
We have made choices in our business that we feel respect our customer and support our employees and ourselves in a fair way. Now, the reason I started reading this thread was to see what you all think of the new footprint/layout. If you want to discuss Viridian’s pricing or farm practices further please see me Saturday morning at the market. As said before, 8:30-10:45 is the best time for conversation.
polloelastico says
Thank you. Looking forward to scoring some padrons to fry up this weekend! They are like crack.
wine&dine says
There is a reason Viridian Farms sells out quickly.
What you have done is awesome. Providing your workers with benefits is a plus for sure.
Having had a ranch and paying well above what others were paying assured us of dependable
caring employees who took pride they worked with employers who cared.
So……….the market footprint will be tightened up hopefully with the food stands figured out. The flow seemed off.
I admit there are times I go just to be entertained.
PSU_market_tourist says
“kvetching about prices farmers are charging is flat-out disrespectful”
My baba will fall out of her chair when I tell her about this.
pdxyogi says
PSU: Carefully written well thought-out thorough responses to the issues on the table, and that is the most mature answer you have? Did you even bother to read any of them? No, I thought not. You’ve certainly written the book on “respectful”.
Looking forward to the padrons!
PSU_market_tourist says
When I first moved to PDX, PFM had more low income shoppers (some of whom reminded me of my baba). I vehemently believe that sustainability requires production of chemical-free food that the *majority* of consumers can afford. From this perspective, the profit margins or ethics of luxury food producers (like Viridian) have no bearing on my earlier comments. I wanted to know why I can buy organic spinach at Hollywood for $1-2 less a head or organic cage-free eggs at the Vancouver market for $4 less a dozen. If fees are the problem then perhaps PFM should take a look at its core mission.
Food Dude says
Judging by the happy crowds at PFM, I don’t think there is much problem with the misson
whatthef says
The happy (wealthy) crowds isn’t the point.
whatthef says
I too have been reading this exchange with interest, I am curious why it is that pdxyogi can toss snarky comments often but for those on on the opposite side of the discussion fence are disrespectful and immature.
PSU_market_tourist is voicing thoughts that are commonly discussed elsewhere and valid for consideration, regardless if you agree.
The difference between PFM and other markets in the area and around the world, is that a low income/fixed income person must work very hard to find affordable food there, if they are able to afford to shop there at all.
As an aside, one thing I have noticed is that European markets sell produce for significantly less when it is in season, while it has been my experience that Portland farmers markets (not specifically PFM), sell in season produce for a premium.
Anyway, PSU_market_tourist – tell us what baba says.
Food Dude says
There is a difference between snarky and outright nasty attacks. The way I look at it – if I would be personally offended, the comment gets edited. (This coming from a very snarky person ;)
That being said, I did edit pdxyogi’s last comment.
wine&dine says
has anyone mentioned that the cost has gone up this year for the vendors? I heard 10%.
Irene says
I would also like to second and/or bring attention to part of Aaron’s comment, which I really think is the most rational and salient point in this rather emotional debate. You, the consumer, have a choice. If you don’t like the price someone is charging for something, don’t buy it. This is how economics works; it’s supply and demand; it’s beautiful. Now unfortunately, when your personal demand curve doesn’t jive with that of the larger market, you may have a tough buying decision to make, but that’s life. I wish that the market wouldn’t support the prices that the Blazers charge for tickets, but it does, so I either suck it up and shell out or I watch the games at home (well there’s always the craigslist or scalping option, but I don’t think that would work so well for Padrons and pork).
PSU_market_tourist says
“it’s supply and demand; it’s beautiful. Now unfortunately, when your personal demand curve doesn’t jive with that of the larger market, you may have a tough buying decision to make, but that’s life.”
Let them eat twinkies.