Montavilla Farmers Market to be open all winter

How did this outer East Portland farmers market do? Take a look. And, learn why this market will now be operating year-’round …

Although bundled up against the cool breezes, vendors from Yolkan Farm in Forrest Grove serve shoppers with pesticide-free, locally-grown vegetables.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

All of the area’s outdoor food markets have had an “unusual time” in this pandemic year, and that includes the Montavilla Farmers Market (MFM) – which had its last weekly Sunday market this season, on October 25.

But, the big news is that they now plan to be open – with limited dates – throughout the winter and spring months.

On the expanded lot along SE Stark Street, MFM vendors were spread out, making it easier for shoppers to properly social-distance, throughout the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic this year.

They’re looking forward to being open twice a month during the winter, says MFM Market manager Lisa Hall.

“Actually, this is been really good season for us; our farmers and vendors have done really well,” smiled the new Market Manager, Lisa Hall.

“Our community is turned out [to shop here] amazingly well, during these times of stress; it seems that folks really appreciate having an open-air market to attend,” Hall told East Portland News. “So, shoppers have really been supporting this market and local food.”

The large Fiddlehead Farm stand does a brisk business, as they do on most market days in Montavilla.

“During this, our 13th season, we’ve had about a thousand people walk in to shop among about 40 vendors every Sunday,” she said.

Market to go year-around
“The MFM Board of Directors just voted to have a year-’round market,” announced Hall. “Before, we’d host a couple of ‘Winter Stock-up Markets’ – but now, we’ll be holding market days on the second and fourth Sundays from November through April!”

This was the result of a request from the participating farmers and vendors, Hall remarked. “They told us they wanted to have more dates in the winter, to help sustain their income year-around, and keep them going as a business. And our community has really supported of this decision.”

Look for the Montavilla Farmers Market to be open, twice a month, until the start of their 2021 season.

All of these winter markets will be open with regular hours from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.

Although they will be closed on December 27 between Christmas and New Year’s, look for the MFM to host a special “Holiday Market” on December 20.

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