‘Stock Up’ market held on Valentine’s Sunday

Valentines Day is the last Montavilla Farmers Market ‘Winter Stock-up Market’ of the season. See what they’re offering …

Folks come for outdoor shopping at the January Montavilla Farmers Market ‘Winter Stock-up Market’.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

Those who enjoy shopping at outer East Portland farmers markets have one last opportunity to visit the Montavilla Farmers Market – for the “Winter Stock-up Market” – on Valentines Day, February 14.

“Several years ago, we decided to hold once-a-month ‘Winter Stock-up Markets’, because many of our regular customers asked for it,” explained Market Manager Amanda Cross.

Montavilla Farmers Market Manager Amanda Cross spends a moment with Erin Redding and Ivan Redding (holding future farmer Declan Redding) of The Earth That Gives in Oregon City – a family enterprise that grows berries in the summer, and sells preserves during the winter months.

“Also, these market days support our farmers and vendors during the slower part of the year,” Cross told East Portland News. “Instead of selling fresh fruit, for example, several vendors sell canned and preserved foods. It allows them to keep some income happening, even in the slower, cold months.”

Although the visitor count is lower than during the regular season, these winter markets still see as many as 400 shoppers, depending on the weather. At the January market, 19 vendors were doing a brisk business.

Vendor Javier Lara sells mushrooms to shopper Jodi Keene.

Cameron Deitz of SweetHeart Bake Shop is cutting a slice of Sweet Potato Cake with Cinnamon Ginger Butter Cream Frosting; the recipe won first prize, from among more than 600 competing recipes, at the Louisiana Sweet Potato Commission competition.

These two-hour markets are set up “truck-market style” – that is, the vendors park on the lot, and sell off the back of the truck or under a canopy.

Here are some of the vendors slated to be at Sunday’s market:

Fiddlehead Farm, offering fresh garlic, spaghetti squash, and kale.
New vendor Crooked Furrow Farm is bringing winter crops of salad greens, potatoes, and squash.
Columbia River Smoked Salmon has fresh sockeye, steelhead, and Chinook for dinner.
Sweetheart Bake Shop is offering a special Valentine’s Day “Sweetie Box”.
Deck Family Farm is bringing organic grass-fed beef, pasture raised pork, spring lamb, as well as Cornish Rock roasters.
Show your puppy some Valentine’s love with Aunt Tammy’s Treats.

Sig Paulson – the Northwest Renegade Troubadour – entertains at this market session.

“A big ‘thanks’ to our volunteers,” Cross smiled. “We have hearty volunteers show up to help us out, in spite of the cold and rain.

Again, the last Montavilla Winter ‘Stock Up’ Farmers Market of the season is on February 14 from 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. – rain or shine. It’s located in the 7600 Block of SE Stark Street, just west of the Academy Theater, and across the street from Mr. Plywood. For more information, see their website: CLICK HERE.

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