Farmers Market and ‘Cultural Fest’ held in Lents

SEE CELEBRATORY VIDEO, HERE | Discover what took place when the Lents International Farmers Market hosted the “Lents Grown Cultural Celebration” …

The Lents International Farmers Market bustles with activity on this sunny Sunday market day.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

Excitement and energy swirled around and through the Lents International Farmers Market (LIFM) day on Sunday, September 4, as shoppers were also able to enjoy the co-located second annual Lents Grown Cultural Celebration

Lents International Farmers Market flourishes

“With our new location this season, we have different kinds of exposure, and have different kinds of challenges,” acknowledged Portland Farmers Market Operations Director and LIFM Manager Amber Holland.

Enjoying another great market day is LIFM Manager Amber Holland.

“But, LIFM is doing very well this year, because we’ve been able to retain all of our loyal shoppers from our prior location a couple blocks away,” Holland assured East Portland News. “And, we have good exposure from being along Foster Road – that’s helped us gain new shoppers.”

The market, which continues every Sunday through November 20, hosts about a dozen vendors each week, many of whom have been with them from the start. “Our local farmer-vendors are doing well; this market is really important to them,” pointed out Holland.

Tatyana and Peter of Happy Moment Farm – one of the original vendors at LIFM – give us a smile as they show their locally-grown produce.

Fresh stone fruits are in season, and available at the Kiyokawa Family Orchards booth.

“And with about 800 folks a week coming out to see us – the LIFM has a loyal shopper base who support our local farmers, said Holland.

“We see a lot of people using their Oregon Trail Cards here, and using their $20 match – it’s pretty good incentive for shopping here. And, a lot of good produce is in season right now, so there many opportunities to spend that money to feed their families!”

At the Slow Food Portland Market Scouts booth, here enjoying a peach tasting, are Nora and Hailey Nguyen.

Lents International Farmers Market is open from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. every Sunday and is located at SE 91st Avenue along SE Foster Road. For more information, see their webpage: CLICK HERE.

Take a look at this video of both the farmers market, and cultural celebration:

Fun at the Lents Grown Cultural Celebration

Here at a “selfie spot”, flanking a Lucky Lion, is Portland Lee’s Association Lion and Dragon Team leader Terry Lee – as well as Lents Grown Business Association President Nick Lee.

“The Lents Cultural Celebration is all put together by the Lents Grown Business Association,” commented the organization’s President, Nick Lee, owner of Studio Sign Company. “It’s really important for us to come together and share our cultures, while celebrating our similarities and differences – especially right now!”

These “Good Luck Lions” prances in the plaza during the Lents Cultural Celebration.

Members of Rose City Escrima show their martial arts skills.

“To that end, we’ve brought a Chinese Lion’s Dance performance in to start off; and then a demonstration of Filipino Martial Arts, Latin music by Sabroso, and a break-dancing show by “Break Thyself” here too.

“We do this to show that Lents is a very vibrant community with diverse cultures, and a lot of great locally-owned businesses,” said Lee. “We are not the ‘wild-west frontier’ of Portland; we are actually, finally, becoming part of the city!”

Receiving the prize she won at the fair, we found Elaine Li from Lents Grown Business Association from District Manager Amy Hamdan.

“So, hosting events like these helps make Lents a better place to live, and a better place to do business,” Lee concluded.

For more information about the Lents Grown Business Association, see their official website: CLICK HERE.

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