Season 28 of the Portland Farmers Market is here!

Portland Farmers Markets Bloom in Neighborhoods Throughout Portland

– Over 30 new vendors bringing ghee, saffron, plant-based ice cream, milk and cheese and more to five weekly markets as the Portland Farmers Market enters its 28^th season –

Portland, Ore. (April 18, 2019) – Gardens are bright with fresh sprouts, the breeze carries a shimmering snowfall of cherry blossom petals, and neighborhood farmers markets gear up for a flavorful season featuring a bounty of local products. Portland Farmers Market’s four seasonal markets reopen to join the world-renowned, year-round PSU Farmers Market on Saturdays. Together, the five markets provide hundreds of local farmers, ranchers and food producers a vibrant marketplace to offer dozens of delicious products, including fresh meats, cheeses, produce, seafood, flowers and prepared foods. This year marks the debut of more than 30 new vendors, including one featuring plant-based milk alternatives, another bringing Northwest-grown saffron, and the first ghee vendor at a PFM market.

Familiar faces and brand-new vendors will be offering tantalizing products for shoppers to peruse, many of which have never been sold at the market before.

“With the warmer weather comes an increase in diversity and varieties of produce our region has to offer.” says Trudy Toliver, Executive Director of Portland Farmers Market. “In addition to the new faces, spring welcomes back vendors who take a break in the winter.” Toliver continued, “Relationships between our shoppers and vendors, that ‘community’ is the beating heart of Portland Farmers Market. Come bring your basket, chat with your friendly food producers and stock up on the abundance of locally harvested and hand produced goods for your family.”

CROP OF NEW VENDORS

For 2019, our five markets welcome a fresh crop of 31 new vendors to their bounty of returning local farmers and food producers. The latest group includes:

• aMYLK(Multnomah County, OR) Pure plant-based “mylks” made with local hazelnuts including tempting flavors such as Chai, Coffee Cold Brew, Lavender, and Rose Pistachio. PSU
• Anchor Ranch Farm(Linn County, OR) Small, family owned and operated regenerative livestock farm offering chicken and pork. Shemanski
• By George Farm(Jackson County, OR) Fresh artisan cheeses and other dairy products crafted using milk from their small herd of grass-fed Jersey cows. King
• Camellia Grove Kombucha(Multnomah County, OR) Kombucha brewers creating refreshing fermented tea drinks flavors using only natural kombucha production methods.  PSU (only April)
• Columbia Black Garlic(Wasco County, OR) Organic, locally sourced black garlic used for health-promoting culinary dishes. PSU
• Cyrus Saffron(Snohomish County, WA) Small, family owned farm growing saffron in Chelan, Washington for the last four years. PSU
• Farm D’ICI(Canby, OR) Farm producing mixed organic fruits and vegetables specializing in French, Italian and Asian varieties with an emphasis on chicories, mesclun salad mixes and edible flowers. Shemanski
• Farm Punk Salads(Multnomah County, OR) All-in-one salad farm producing nutrient-dense veggies as well as homemade salad dressings. Kenton
• Golden Elixir Ghee(Washington County, OR) Small batch ghee made with local, grass-fed, organic unsalted butter using traditional Ayurvedic methods. PSU
• Indian Candy(Wasco County, OR) Small, wholly native-owned business bringing salmon harvested by tribal fishermen as well as huckleberries to the market. Shemanski
• Kate’s Ice Cream(Multnomah County, OR) Plant-based, vegan ice cream made with local fruits and vegetables. PSU
• Kelly’s Kombucha(Multnomah County, OR) Organic kombucha bold in flavor and satisfyingly bubbly, offering new flavors that complement the changing seasons. Kenton
• Lady Lane Farm(Clackamas County, OR) Small, traditional, sustainable dairy farm producing and distributing all-Jersey milk products that are minimally processed, low-temperature pasteurized and not homogenized. PSU
• Microgreen Fanatics(Clark County, WA) Organic, chemical-free, greenhouse-grown microgreens including radish mix, sunflower, and spicy salad mix.  PSU
• Mudjoy Farm(Yamhill County, OR) – Small farm raising healthy and delicious food using sustainable practices in the Willamette Valley. PSU
• N & M Herb Nursery(Marion County, OR) Small, family-owned nursery bringing an array of herbs, tropical plants, specialty perennials, baskets and mixed pots. PSU
• One Stripe Chai Co.(Multnomah County, OR) Small-batch chai tea concentrate made with organic spices, sweetened with local honey and jaggery (unrefined sugar often used in Indian cooking). King
• Portland Syrups(Multnomah County) Small batch syrups and concentrates for sodas and cocktails using whole ingredient herbs, spices and fruits made using as many locally sourced ingredients as possible. PSU, Shemanski
• RAFT Cocktails(Multnomah County, OR) Small-batch syrups and bitters made with real ingredients, never artificial flavorings. PSU
• Rangoon Bistro(Multnomah County, OR) Vegetable focused meals specializing in the distinctive foods of Myanmar. Spotlighting seasonality, all possible ingredients are sourced from farmers market vendors. King
• Rose City Refillery(Multnomah County, OR) Organic nut milks, bone broths and other artisan food items made with sustainably sourced ingredients from local and regional suppliers, sans packaging. Kenton
• Salty Dog Farm(Lane County, OR) Small woman-owned farm bringing many varieties of seasonally specific pickling cucumbers. King
• Sinister Coffee and Creamery(Multnomah County, OR) Hand-rolled ice cream using local cream and farm-direct fruit toppings. PSU
• Spice of Africa(Multnomah County, OR) Authentic Kenyan dishes including lentil soup, Kenyan tomato chutney and spiced iced tea. PSU, Lents International
• Spice Pilgrim(Clackamas County, OR) Woman-owned, stone-ground spice and hand-blended loose-leaf tea company. PSU, Lents International, Shemanski
• Tango Water Farm, LLC(Multnomah County, OR) Indoor Portland-based farm growing a variety of pesticide-free produce using 95% less water than a traditional farm. PSU
• The Honey Palette(Multnomah County, OR) Autoimmune and allergen-friendly Paleo desserts sweetened with local honey and free from gluten, grains, dairy, and refined sugar. Kenton
• Tierra De Lobos Winery(Wasco County, OR) Latino-owned vineyard on the Washington side of the Gorge offering small-batch wines. PSU
• Tugboat Bread(Multnomah County, OR) Micro-bakery producing naturally leavened hearth loaves made exclusively with organic, stoneground flour and grains from Oregon mills and farms. King
• Vtopian Artisan Cheeses(Multnomah County, OR) Vegan, small-batch cashew cheese made using organic fair-trade cashews and locally sourced ingredients. PSU
• Woodbox Cider Company(Multnomah County, OR) Family owned and operated boutique cidery using locally sourced apples. Shemanski

Now in its 28th season, Portland Farmers Market helps sustain the region’s food and farming community. At PFM’s five area markets, small food businesses build a following and engage with like-minded shoppers.  Family farmers who need various income streams count on the consumer-direct sales that Portland’s farmers markets offer.

PFM accepts food assistance programs like SNAP, WIC, Fresh Change and Farmers Direct Nutrition Program vouchers. SNAP shoppers can receive Double Up Food Bucks, up to $10 per day at Kenton, King, and Lents International Markets. These programs increase access to farm-fresh food for low-income neighbors throughout the city. Community members can learn more about SNAP through free Oregon State University SNAP education programming at Kenton and Lents Markets.

This year, market goers can enjoy educational opportunities through such programs as Kids Cook, now at both King and Lents International Markets, and Food Scouts, in partnership with Zenger Farm at Lents International Market. At the PSU Market, the Chef in the Market series runs weekly starting June 1 and is generously sponsored by Amica Insurance.

Events happening in 2019 include PFM’s annual Great Pumpkin Event in late October, ongoing Market Music programming at PSU, King, Lents and Kenton markets, Food Demo Days regularly throughout the season, and other special events such as Disco Soup, Umi Organic Noodle Luge, and more. Additionally, several chef demonstrations will take place at Lents International Market. Please see Portland Farmers Market’s events calendar for details.

 MARKET OPENING DATES

Although the Saturday PSU Market is open year-round, springtime heralds the opening of Portland Farmers Market’s other four weekly markets.

May marks two market openings:

• Wednesday, May 1 – Portland Farmers Market at Shemanski Park in the South Park Blocks from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Sunday, May 5 – King Portland Farmers Market in Northeast from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This will mark the 10^th anniversary of King Market’s opening!

June will welcome shoppers and vendors back to:

• Sunday, June 2 – Lents International Farmers Market at SE 92nd & Reedway between Foster and Harold from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Wednesday, June 5 – Kenton Portland Farmers Market in North Portland from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

As in past seasons, shoppers eligible for SNAP benefits will be able to receive $1 tokens using their Oregon Trail Cards to purchase fruit, vegetables, meat, bread, cheese, vegetable starts, and some baked goods at all Portland Farmers Market locations. Additionally, SNAP recipients can receive a dollar-for-dollar match up to $10 through Double Up Food Bucks, a program of Farmers Market Fund, at the Kenton, King, and Lents International markets.

About Portland Farmers Market

Celebrating its 28th season in 2019, Portland Farmers Market operates world-class farmers markets that contribute to the success of local food growers and producers, and create vibrant community gatherings. The independently-run nonprofit organization manages five weekly farmers markets in Portland, including the flagship, year-round market on Saturdays at Portland State University. More than 700,000 shoppers purchased farm-fresh produce, meats, cheeses, seafood, baked goods and other specialty foods from more than 190 vendors generating more than $8 million in sales annually. Through operating markets, Portland Farmers Market serves as an incubator for emerging businesses, a leader of the local food movement, a source of education, a culinary focal point in the community, a cultural destination and a beacon for Portland’s sustainability movement. To learn more about how Portland Farmers Market aims to grow, nourish and inspire the community, become a  Twitter  and  Instagram  follower,  Facebook  fan,  blog  reader, and visit portlandfarmersmarket.org.