Portland Farmers Market (Oregon)

Some entertainment wrapping up in Portland Farmers Market
Farmers Market booths in PSU park blocks; snow flurries this day limited number of shoppers

Portland Farmers Market is an outdoor farmers' market in Portland, Oregon, United States. Up to two hundred vendors sell produce, fish, meat, dairy products, baked goods, and other agricultural products. It is rated one of the five best farmers markets in the United States based on variety of fresh local foods, numerous workshops and demonstrations, samples of unusual produce, numerous festivals, and non government funding by Eating Well Magazine.[1] It was rated seventh in the country for its sustainable production and transportation, quality control, focus on education, food stamp support, general atmosphere, and community support by Greenlight Magazine.[2]

The market's purpose is to connect Oregon's small farmers directly to consumers.[3] Among the market's early supporters were local restaurant chefs. At its inception in 1992 there was difficulty finding vendors, but now there is a waiting list.[4]

During peak season, the market serves 10,000 to 12,000 shoppers each week. Some of its special events—such as the annual "Summer Loaf" bread, wine, and cheese festival— became so popular they were spun off as separate events.[3] The market has spawned about two dozen smaller farmers markets in the surrounding metropolitan area.[5][6] The accelerating popularity of area farmers' markets has the Oregon Department of Agriculture considering stronger regulations and inspections.[7]

Locations

Portland Farmers Market runs throughout the city mid-March through December. Locations include sites in the Park Blocks, Hinson Baptist Church, and at the Ecotrust building. Beginning in 2012, the South Park Blocks will host a winter farmer's market with about 45 vendors.[8]

Since 2009, the King Farmers Market operates on Sundays, from May 3 through September 27, 10 am to 2 pm, at NE 7th and Wygant. It features 45 vendors offering local prepared food and live music.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "America's Top Farmer's Markets: Portland Farmers Market". Eating Well Magazine. Archived from the original on 2007-11-21. Retrieved 2007-12-04.
  2. ↑ "Food + Drink". Light Green Media, LLC. October 25, 2007. Archived from the original on 2007-11-17. Retrieved 2007-12-04.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Miles McCoy (May 2007). "Portland Farmers Market: Connecting Consumers with Oregon’s Agricultural Richness". Agri-Business Council of Oregon. Retrieved 2007-12-04.
  4. ↑ Martha Works and Thomas Harvey (Fall–Winter 2005). "Can the Way We Eat Change Metropolitan Agriculture?: The Portland Example". Terrain.org: A Journal of the Built & Natural Environments. Retrieved 2007-12-04.
  5. ↑ "Farmers Markets in Portland". Retrieved 2007-12-04.
  6. ↑ "Welcome Oregon Farmers' Markets Association". Oregon Farmers' Markets Association. Archived from the original on 2007-11-20. Retrieved 2007-12-04.
  7. ↑ Lizzy Caston and Rachel Ritchie (June 27, 2007). "Urban Brawl: Produce Row". Portland Monthly. Archived from the original on 2007-10-12. Retrieved 2007-12-04.
  8. ↑ "Portland to add winter farmer's market". KPTV. December 17, 2011. Retrieved 2011-12-18.

External links

Coordinates: 45°30′43″N 122°41′06″W / 45.512°N 122.685°W