Great summer season continues at Lents Market

Here’s why to spend Sunday at the Lents International Farmers Market …

In Lents Town Center, shoppers arrive from surrounding neighborhoods to shop in outer East Portland at the Lents International Farmers Market.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

It’s the peak of the season for produce and fruits at Lents International Farmers Market, (LIFM) as shoppers discover for themselves every Sunday.

On hot summer weekends, many shoppers come early at the 9:00 a.m. opening bell; others drift in throughout early afternoon, all looking amazed at the quality and variety of vendors’ offerings.

Appropriately social distanced, Portland Farmers Market Executive Director Trudy Toliver spends a moment with Lents International Farmers Market Manager David Oberstein.

“I’m happy to be here at the Lents International Farmers Market today helping with our Food Scouts program,” remarked Portland Farmers Market Executive Director Trudy Toliver.

“The LIFM is a wonderful community of businesses, neighbors, and community groups – for example, we have Green Lents here today, telling people about their programs,” Toliver told East Portland News. “Every market is unique, is a good reflection of their neighborhood, and have their own personality; but the LIFM is the only international, and even more multicultural, farmers market.”

Lents neighbor Lia Wallon shops with Melissa Cantwell of Kiyokawa Orchards, in Hood River / Parkdale.

“Another of our favorite programs at this market is called “Double-Up Food Bucks”, an opportunity for those who use SNAP or the Organ Trail Card. With every $10 that they spend, they get an additional $10 to spend at the market on fruits and vegetables,” Toliver explained.

“We’re able to offer this with funding from the Farmers Market Fund, a charitable organization that does fundraising, and has among its supporters the State of Oregon, New Seasons Market, Regents Healthcare, and many others who support the work.”

Green Lents Community Tool Library Volunteer Coordinator Grace Rodriguez and Community Advocate Kristin Berger show packets from their “Seed Library”.

Green Lents Tool Library and Community Advocate Kristin Berger said they were happy to have been invited to host a “Community Partner” booth at the LIFM that week.

“In addition to reminding people that their Lents-based Community Tool Library – just a block south of the market [at 9215 SE Ramona Street] – is open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. We’re also telling folks about our ‘Seed Library’,” Berger continued. “It’s a seed exchange so people can come and get seeds that they need for planting, right now, in our fall garden.”

This vendor, from Simington Gardens in Aurora, picks certified produce for a customer.

Lents International Farmers Market

Every Sunday through November
9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.
On SE 92nd Avenue, a block north of SE Foster Road – across from the Fire Station
CLICK HERE to see their webpage for more information

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