After filling Parkrose High’s parking lot with great fresh foods for a full season, the market closed a couple of weeks ago. Find out what the future has in store for them, in this arresting article …
-1 The Market Master of Parkrose Farmer’s Market, Steve Voorhees, and Rod Richard with Kiyokawa Family Orchards, are “hooked up” by Market Sheriff (it was Halloween) with Shelley Loring with Shell’s Jewels.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Although many of the fresh vegetable vendors had departed for the season, there was still activity as trick-or-treaters and other shoppers enjoyed the final day of the Parkrose Farmer’s Market, held on Halloween day, October 31.
“This year’s season? It’s been a blast,” was Market Master Steve Voorhees’ comment about this year’s markets. “It lulled a little bit because of the economy – we could see a dip in sales, especially in August, before school started.”
The blazing hot weather during the summer also put a damper on sales, Voorhees admitted. “It hurt both crops and crowds – people came in the morning; but when the temperatures rose, the market emptied out.”
A group of visitors from the Gateway Area – Rebekah, Hannah, Naomi, and holding Joelle is Amanda Whitlock – who trick-or-treated while shopping at the Parkrose Farmer’s Market.
The market’s board members are taking time off, but will be meeting again in January, according to Voorhees. “We are looking forward to holding the market again next year; the kickoff date is the first Saturday in May, 2010.”
For shoppers who wished they’d picked up craft food or prepared food items during the season for holiday gifts, Voorhees suggested they look at the market’s website vendors page: CLICK HERE. “You can purchase online from many of our vendors year-around,” he said.
-3 Tim and Georgia Winestorfer, from Vancouver, Washington, were winners of the season’s last weekly “Market Bag Giveaway” – stuffed with all kinds of fresh produce and goodies from market vendors.
© 2009 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News
click here to subscribe
