In addition to celebrating the success of their first weekly season, learn what these volunteers doing, in the off season, to prepare for next year …

Alexander, one of the farmers who sold his vegetables at the Lents International Farmer’s Market loads up his plate at the banquet table; market volunteer Bonny Hodge is serving up fresh, locally-produced food.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
A room full of folks gathered at Pilgrim Lutheran Church in Lents on a cold, rainy evening a few days ago, to dine on a banquet prepared from locally-produced foods – and to plan for next year’s Lents International Farmer’s Market season.

The festal board was loaded with freshly-made breads and desserts, salads, casseroles, soups, pot roast – and more delicious deviled eggs than we’ve ever seen in one place.

Jill Kuehler, market manager, welcomes volunteers and vendors to the event.

The ‘real work’ begins
“This is when the real work begins,” proclaimed market manager Jill Kuehler, after introductions.

“Many of you in this room have gathered with us for three years to plan and create our farmers market. You are the ones I most want to applaud tonight. Some of the very early founders of the market are still here. They are the real heroes of the project.”

Megan Fehrman shows a graphic depiction of the results of her research project, an “Asset Based Community Development Map” (enlarged, right portion of photo).

First up to speak was Megan Fehrman. From research she conducted, she mapped – illustrated – the interaction of groups of various individuals who interfaced with the market.

“I participated in a ‘Growing Communities’ workshop called ‘Asset Based Community Development’. As part of this we learned to create a ‘map’ all of our potential partners to strengthen all of our potential partners in our organization,” Fehrman explained.

Suggestion box
Kuehler collected comment questionnaires from those attending, and read aloud from them.

The list of things they said they enjoyed included:

• The camaraderie of the market vendors;
• Friendliness of shoppers who returned week after week;
• Alexander’s great produce;
• Creative ways to sell giant yellow squash left at the Community Sales table;
• Laura & Sarah’s spur-of-the-moment food demonstration; they pulled together a demo when a guest didn’t show up.

Things they’d like to see added or changed at the market included:

• Artichokes
• Quieter bands playing live music
• Asian prepared foods
• Stronger steering committee
• More diversity
• More farmers on committees
• More representation from across Portland
• More food vendors and craft people
• Parsnips
• More interactive chef demonstrations
• Coordination of produce at each market
• More variety

Noelle Dobson describes the committes being formed and asks the volunteers to participate in them.

Four committees formed
To turn the suggestions into action plans, Noelle Dobson organized the group onto four facilitating committees: Vendor relations; marketing and media relations; diverse community and market logistics.

As the committee tables filled, Dobson told us, “I’ve been involved with the market for three years as part of my work with Community Health Partnership, a non-profit group that’s trying to help make communities places where you can ‘eat healthy’ and exercise.”

Summary of this year’s market activity
As the committee sessions got underway, Kuehler talked with us about this year’s market.

“It went very well this year. The number of customers grew each week. We had a lot of folks from the Lents neighborhood, and a good diversity in our shoppers. There was a great diverse group of vendors – some who have not sold at a farmers market before. It was exciting to see.”

Kuehler estimated the market drew 400 customers each Sunday. “It was great for our first season. We’re brainstorming to come up with ways to increase our numbers next year and getting ideas about how to really establish this market.”

The reason this market is important, Kuehler added, is that Lents has poor access to good quality fresh fruits and vegetables. “A couple of larger grocery stores have closed; this has decreased the amount of access people have. We really want to provide really fresh, good food to folks in the Lents neighborhood.”

Get involved!
Lents International Farmer’s Market committees meet monthly during the off season. Get in touch by contact them lentsfarmersmarket@gmail.com – and get involved!

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

Due to busy schedules, it looked like finding a new president for this business new business association would be impossible. But look at the creative solution these community-minded folks came up with …

Outgoing Montavilla/East Tabor Business Association president Alema McCrey (far end of table, right side) calls for officer and board nominations for the coming year.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The Montavilla business district on SE Stark Street – from SE 92nd Ave west to Mt. Tabor –looked pretty much like post-modern ghost town. The former bustling business district was lined with dingy storefront windows showing off deserted retail establishments.

But a couple of years ago, things started to pick up when the Bipartisan Café opened its doors, Flying Pizza expanded and the Academy Theater was remodeled and opened.

Neighborhood business association formed
About this time last year, business owners banded together to form a neighborhood business district organization they call Montavilla/East Tabor Business Association (METBA).

“Our mission,” METBA’s first president, Alema McCrey, Alema McCrey Bookeeping, told us, “is to unite area businesses to create a safer neighborhood and more viable business atmosphere.”

Additionally, she said, their organization provides networking opportunities for local business people, promotes their business district, recruits new businesses, and encourages area residents to shop locally. “We also work with the city on transportation, pedestrian and traffic, and crime issues.”

Kevin Kissire of Infusion Salon gets a slice of the delicious pie from Peter Emerson, owner of Montavilla’s Bipartisan Café.

Food provided by many members
Their first annual meeting, held at Rob Robinson’s Stark Street Pizza, was a banquet featuring pizzas supplied by host’s establishment, additional pizza from Flying Pie Pizzeria and Academy Theater popcorn.

Bipartisan Cafe brought six luscious, custom-baked pies. Member Lawnn Holden came in with a giant bucket of hot wings she purchased from Thatcher’s in Montavilla.

The question of succession
At this meeting, McCrey mentioned several activities undertaken by the organization, including:

• Participating in the 82nd Ave. of Roses first annual parade;
• Being one of the instrumental organizers of for the Montavilla Farmer’s Market started this year;
• Bringing Portland City Commissioner Sam Adams out to discuss transportation safety issues in the district; and,
• Working with the neighborhood association producing the Montavilla International Fair.

The main thrust of this meeting, however, was regarding succession – establishing a new board of directors and voting in a new president.

Citing full schedules, community involvement and challenging business situations, several members present demurred accepting presidential responsibilities for METBA.

Two members then proposed a unique solution: Tarah Shuler, Sante’ Day Spa, will take presidential for the first six months of METBA’s new year; then, Ty DuPuis, Academy Theater/Flying Pie, will preside starting in May 2008.

Introducing METBA’s new co-presidents: Tarah Shuler and Ty DuPuis. They’ll share presidential responsibilities for the Association.

“SE Stark Street is a wonderful historic district with tremendous growth potential, and by working together, we can help Montavilla develop as one of Portland’s premier business communities,” summarized McCrey.

Find out more about this new and growing association by going online by going to: www.metba.org.

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service