Montavilla co-op hosts ‘Locals Market’

See what took place, and learn about the progress of this outer East Portland food cooperative …

From handmade textiles to knitted goods, to bakery items – this year’s “Locals Market”, put on by the Montavilla Food Cooperative, teems with activity.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

The day after “Black Friday”, on November 30, the Montavilla Food Cooperative (MFC) hosted their now-annual “Locals Market” on “Small Business Saturday”, at the Montavilla United Methodist Church.

In addition to having vendor tables set up in three areas, the market also hosted a “share and swap” for good used clothing, and household items.

Welcoming folks to the market, and selling raffle tickets, is MFC Board Member Paul Dewey.

“We have a lot of really marvelous vendors here locally – so, we’ve created the space to bring them together, and offer all the wonderful products they have to our local people,” commented MFC Board Member Paul Dewey.

“It’s important for the co-op to do this because it’s a community building event,” Dewey told East Portland News. “Also, it lets people know that MFC is still progressing, and helps us make new connections, as we get close to actually having our store.”

Pastry baker extraordinaire Luby Wind, a founding MFC member, tempts (and sells) shoppers with her Fig Frangipané and Cranberry Pear Walnut Tartlets.

About the hunt for a building to house the MFC, Dewey commented, “Finding the right location is really important; and right now, we are exploring three different possible locations.

“Then, our next step will update our Market Study, so we can revise our financials, to see which of the three locations would be the best for us to start our store,” Dewey informed.

Letting people know that the service footprint for the “Lents Tool Library” includes the Montavilla neighborhood is Green Lents community organizer Tyler Bristow.

The co-op is nearing 800 MFC members; “we have the right number to make it viable – but we’re still welcoming new members every day,” Dewey smiled.

Find out more about, or join, the Montavilla Food Cooperative by visiting their website: CLICK HERE.

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