Lents International Farmers Market opens for 16th season

INCLUDES VIDEO Take a look, and you’ll see that this small-but-mighty outer East Portland farmers market is again “the fresh place to shop” …

In Lents Town Center, the Lents International Farmers Market opens for customers for the first time in 2021.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

With the sound of the opening bell, the Lents International Farmers Market (LIFM) marked its opening day of the season – on Sunday, June 6.

Even though the LIFM has shifted locations in the Lents Town Center district several times, since its beginnings on the then-undeveloped corner of SE Foster Road and 92nd Avenue a decade-and-a-half ago, it appears that its 16th season will be a strong one.

The spacious paved parking lot where it’s been located for the last few years, provided by the Zoiglhaus Brewing Company owners, makes it easy for everyone to come and shop among the many vendors each Sunday.

Portland Farmers Market Executive Director Katy Kolker spends a moment with LIFM Market Manager Kyrsten Williams.

“We’re having a wonderful opening day of the season, here in Lents,” said Portland Farmers Market’s new Executive Director, Katy Kolker, who was formerly with the Portland Fruit Tree Project.

“We’re here with about a dozen vendors, offering a whole bunch of different locally-produced food products,” Kolker told East Portland News.

As the market day continues, more customers arrive to check out the new and returning vendors, and to buy fresh produce and prepared foods.

“Our vendors are offering fresh fruits and vegetables, hot foods, fresh flowers, wine, and fresh locally-roasted coffee,” remarked Kolker. “We’re glad to see so many people coming from the neighborhood and the surrounding areas to support our farmers!”

About to serve up another order, here’s a food service worker with Tamales Poblanos.

The LIFM isn’t set up to be a huge market; during the season it will host a maximum of about 14 vendors, Kolker observed. “It’s important to have a farmers market – especially here, in Lents – because during the pandemic, farmers markets such as LIFM have proven to be a really safe and joyful place to shop. And, as well, they’re a place to connect community members.”

The mission of Portland Farmers Market – the organization that manages the LIFM – is threefold, Kolker said:

Supporting local food producers by allowing them direct access to people who are consuming their products and supporting local businesses;
Making a vibrant community space for folks to get to see neighbors; and,
Providing direct access to locally produced food – especially for those with SNAP or EBT benefits, thanks to their matching “Double-Up Food Bucks” program.

Portland Farmers Market educator Heather Morrill works at the “Slow Food Market Scouts” booth, this week, helping youngsters to plant parsley seeds.

Lents International Farmers Market

Open Sundays, 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.
On SE 92nd Avenue near Reedway Street, between Foster and Harold Streets – and across the street from Portland Fire & Rescue Station 11.
Learn more at their website: CLICK HERE

>> On our Front Page: Nicolas Amaro, of N&N Amaro Produce of Gales Creek, packs fresh strawberries for a customer.

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