Farmers market season ends strong, in Lents

See how the Lents International Farmers Market grew this season, and what’s up next for some of the vendors on December 6 …

On the last day of the Lents International Farmers Market for the season, shoppers pick up fresh vegetables and fruit at the Amaro’s Produce stand.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

Ending its season a week later than other outdoor food bazaars, November 1 was the last day of the 2015 season for the Lents International Farmers Market.

Cool-but-dry weather brought out a goodly number of shoppers who chose from among the goods of several vendors.

Alisha Kryszylowicz and Kristofer Logan from Old Soul Farm spend a moment with Market Manager Lindsey Byers.

“We had a pretty good year this year,” reflected Market Manager Lindsey Byers. “Yes, I think it was a good year. I think the lack of rain was hard on some farmers, but the sunny market days brought in lots of shoppers.”

Even late in the season, Byers pointed out, many of the vendors were still offering tomatoes, green beans, and corn.

Showing off one of her Italian pastries is Michelle Vernier with Bella Mercado.

“Typically, the markets during the high season featured about 25 vendors coming to Lents “Crossroad Corner”,” Byers told East Portland News. “On average, about 800 people came to shop in each market, which is a small increase over the past season.”

Although Thanksgiving Day was then still some time away, Byers said she was very thankful for the market’s volunteers. “We have a lot of really great volunteers to come week after week to set up, tear down, and to run our Community Produce Table.”

At the Kids Table, youngsters carve up miniature pumpkins.

Many of their vendors express an interest in coming back in 2016, Byers said. “And, we have a couple of [new] merchants who are eager to apply to be vendors next year.”

However, the Lents International Farmers Market may be scrambling to find new space, if the Williams/Dame & Associates building, providing affordable and market-rate apartments” plus ground-floor commercial space, and surface parking, breaks ground on the site during or after the market season. [Read more about Lents Town Center development plans: CLICK HERE]

Some market merchants return on December 6
On Sunday, December 6, from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m., come to the “curtain call” – see some of the farmers market merchants who will be vending at the second annual Lents “Put a Goat On It” Holiday market. There will be crafts, baked goods, and hot food. It’ll be located in the Pantheon Ballroom section of the New Copper Penny.

For more information about the Lents International Farmers Market, see their Facebook page: CLICK HERE.

© 2015 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

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