Lents farm market opens at new location

Discover where the Lents International Farmers Market has moved for its season, and why many are saying it’s the ideal location …

Now on a paved surface, the Lents International Farmers Market is located in outer East Portland, just across the street from Portland Fire & Rescue Lents Station 11.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

Concerns that, due to buildings being constructed on their two former sites, the Lents International Farmers Market would be without a location in 2017 proved to be unfounded, when it opened for the season on June 4.

It’s now situated in the parking lot just north of Carpet Outlet at 5716 SE 92nd Avenue, where eastbound SE Reedway Street dead-ends into SE 92^nd Avenue.

Lents International Farmers Market Manager Amber Holland rings the bell, signaling the opening of the 2017 season at their new location.

“With the construction in the Lents Town Center area, we looked for the best location for the continued success of our vendors,” explained Market Manager Amber Holland on opening day.

The lot was available because the flooring store is closed on Sundays, and Zoiglhaus Brewery – which also owns the lot – will open a beer garden during the afternoons, Holland told East Portland News.

Offering his super-sweet, hard-to-find Hood strawberries is Bill Efimov of Big E Berry Farm, to shopper Beth Crane.

“In keeping with our name, we still have an international flair and flavor,” Holland observed. “Many of our vendors have come here from other countries – including some refugee farmers who provide products for culturally-specific cuisines.

“Many languages are spoken here, and we continue serving our diverse community. It’s as diverse as our vendors!” Holland added.

The market started its season with 17 sellers, and will top out at about 20. “Many of the farmers are recovering from a really wet spring, which is causing delays in providing the produce that would usually be in-market by now,” Holland said.

Minutes after the market opened for the season, a crowd of shoppers appeared and was doing business with vendors.

Enjoying breakfast at the market are Olivia Thelen and Amy Thelen.

Customers began filling the market, minutes after it opened. Families pushing strollers smiled when seeing how easily they could navigate the market, now that it’s set up on a paved surface.

“And, being on pavement provides additional accessibility opportunities, not available in our other locations, for those who roll in to our market,” commented Holland.

Norma Escalante and Nicolas Amaro from N&N Amaro Produce of Gales Creek provide fresh produce for market chef/demonstrator Sydney Leonard.

So, tell your friends that the Lents International Farmers Market is open again through October 29, providing affordable, and culturally-relevant produce and foods to the diverse Lents community.

Remember, it’s no longer on SE Foster Road – but instead, it’s now just a couple of blocks around the corner on SE 92nd Avenue near Reedway Street, between SE Foster and Harold. For more information, including the lineup of vendors this week, see their official website: CLICK HERE.

Comments are closed.