Pancakes wow the crowd, at co-op Montavilla breakfast

Here’s why hundreds of folks came to this outer East Portland church …

Checking in guests to the Montavilla Food Co-op’s Annual Pancake Breakfast are Monica Donley and Juli Rish.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

The community room of the Montavilla United Methodist Church was filled with families breakfasting for four hours on June 4 as the 6^th annual Montavilla Food Co-op (MFC) Annual Pancake Breakfast got underway.

Volunteers offered up a delicious and healthy buffet breakfast made by some of Portland’s best up-and-coming young chefs, using locally and organically sourced ingredients – and the featured dish was, as the title implies, pancakes.

Patrons and guests enjoy a communal breakfast during the 2016 MFC Pancake Breakfast.

MFC Board President Amanda Lamb and Shane Reaney, with Organic Lavender Farm, welcome guests.

“This is my second year volunteering in the kitchen at our breakfast,” said MFC Board President Amanda Lamb.

“We had a lot of outreach to the community; and it’s a great turnout today,” Lamb told East Portland News.

“We’re especially happy to see many first-timers here today,” Lamb added.

Guest Kari Christensen watches as Addie Christensen munches on bacon.

Musicians with Montavilla Guitar Studio entertain at the breakfast.

During the breaks in the live music, those there learned that in May, MFC was awarded a significant grant from Food Co-op Initiative, a national organization that supports start-up co-op initiatives across the United States.

The grant, Lamb announced, includes a $5,000 cash award, mentoring, a site visit from a co-op development expert and other cooperative development resources.

Charter member and volunteer Luby Wind makes hotcakes on the griddle.

For the sixth year, volunteer Anastasia Sofranac serves as Master of Ceremonies. Here, she’s announcing that their numbers increased by ten, to 513, during breakfast.

“At this annual event, we can share exciting news, like the grant,” Lamb said. “And, our annual breakfast is important because it is a good opportunity for us all together in one space, and share in our common goal: bringing a local, natural, food store to the Montavilla neighborhood.”

Because they don’t yet have a physical location for their store, public events like this helps in other ways, Lam said. “It gives MFC community visibility, shows that we’re serious, and brings us more members every year. Without having a store, I think it’s important to have a venue in which our members come together.”

Rodrigo Huerta brings out another platter of freshly made egg frittata.

With plenty of good food available, diners get their fill of breakfast, while they support establishing a food co-op in their neighborhood.

For more information about the Montavilla Food Co-op see their website: CLICK HERE.

>> On our Front Page: Geneva Shrall enjoys another pancake.

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