Rocky Butte Farmers Market opens for the season

INCLUDES TASTY VIDEO | Here’s a look at outer East Portland’s ‘newest’ market – the Rocky Butte Farmers Market — as it opened for 2023 …

Shoppers arrive as this, the Rocky Butte Farmers Market, as their season gets underway.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

Volunteers and vendors were cheerfully busy on Srturday, June 3, setting up and operating the Rocky Butte Farmers Market (RBFM) on the opening day of their 2023 season.

?Established in 2019 at their current site, the market is now familiar enough to shoppers that they know where to find it, up on Rocky Butte in the Madison South neighborhood. The early-arrivers were already busy browsing and buying that morning.

Just look at all the produce, brought in fresh from Dayton, Oregon, and set out on the Pablo Munoz Farms tables!

At their Fresh Love PDX booth, RBFM President Ben Cutler and daughter welcome customers to the market.

“The idea came up between neighbors to have the farmers market here back in 2017,” began the market’s Board President, Ben Cutler. “Our original pop-up market was at Dharma Rain Zen Center, not far from here.”

Typically, the RBFM hosts 22 or more vendors each Saturday throughout the season, Cutler told East Portland News. “Pablo Munoz Farms and Cazares Farms are our larger ‘anchor’ farm vendors, along with Baird Family Orchards — and smaller farmers like OneUp Farm are here too, along with prepared food sellers and crafters.”

This seller, from Cazares Farms in Yakima, happily vends fruit to Linda Hardy, a Madison South resident.

Being relatively new, and a Saturday market at that, from 300 to 500 shoppers come each week, Cutler revealed. “Best thing about this is we’ve got this amazing block party vibe, with live music going every week.

“You’ll see neighbors are shopping and chatting; well-mannered dogs are here, hanging out with their owners,” Cutler observed.

Take a tour of the Rocky Butte Farmers Market, as it was on opening day:

“Come on by, bring your family, meet new folks, and share space while you shop local farmers, because that’s what we’re all about,” encouraged Cutler.

At the RBFM’s Kids Club, youngsters $5 to spend at the market, and are provided with activities, like making “street art with chalk”.

Rocky Butte Farmers Market

+ Open Saturdays
+ 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.
+ Mannahouse Church parking lot
9200 NE Fremont Street, 97220
+ For information, CLICK HERE.

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