Two East Portland Farmer’s Markets now open

Here’s where to go – either in outer East Portland, or inner SE Portland – to find the freshest produce, fruit and meats, and very nice people …

With samples in hand, market master Steve Voorhees welcomes outer East Portland shoppers to the Parkrose Farmers’ Market.

Story and Photos by David F. Ashton
Two great farmer’s markets – located on opposite ends of our coverage area – are up and running this season.

Parkrose Farmer’s Market
This market is on every Saturday, and market master Steve Voorhees told us, on their opening day, that they were looking forward to good markets this year. “We do run a long season, it’s a total of 27 weeks.”

Their farmers and growers come from as far away as Maryhill and Elgin, Washington, Voorhees told us. “We have a wide variety of produce – obviously, what’s in season – and beef and other meat products, and other great things.”

It’s important to have a market in Parkrose, he said, because it establishes a community meeting place. “Parkrose-area people disperse to other parts of town to do their shopping – especially for fresh foods. The money would leave the area; they’d go to other farmers markets both East and West. Those are great markets, but why spend money traveling?”

Joy Voorhees uses a new wireless debit and food stamp data machine to help make shopping easier at the Parkrose Farmer’s Market – with just a swipe of the card [inset], you can buy as many Market Tokens as you need.

Neighborhood grant helps market expand
Voorhees said they are grateful for an East Portland Neighborhood Organization grant that helped them start the market last year. “This year, a grant has helped us promote the market by sending out 10,000 flyers. Also, it helped us install a debit card system that also takes Oregon Trail Card Electronic Benefit Transfer [food stamps].

“Now, instead worrying about having enough cash, shoppers can swipe their card, and get $1 or $5 tokens to spend like cash at the market,” Voorhees noted. This really opens up the demographics of the market.”

Market shopper Mindy Durias select from the plants brought by Anita Tabayoyon, proprietor of AR Moss Floral Designs and Embellishments in Parkrose.

Special promotions in June, in Parkrose
There’s great free music every week, Voorhees said. On June 6, it’s “Will West and Friends”; and the “Good Old Days String Band” plays the following week. (See our Community Calendar for a complete listing each month.)

On June 13, the market welcomes the Lions Club’s FREE mobile Health Screening to the market; and on June 20 is the monthly Karaoke Contest.

The Parkrose Farmer’s Market is open from 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at the Parkrose High School’s west parking lot on NE Shaver St, a block west of NE 122nd Avenue – across the street from Parkrose Middle School. For more information, CLICK HERE to see their website, or contact Voorhees at steve_voorhees@q.com

Moreland Farmer’s Market

The torrential downpour on opening day doesn’t stop Annie Gullion and Erik O’Banion from shopping at Creative Growers Organic Foods booth at the Moreland Farmer’s Market.

Inner SE Portland’s market, the Moreland Farmer’s Market, got off to a soggy start, when it opened for the season on Wednesday, May 13.

“It’s just the luck of the draw,” remarked Market Manager Laura Wendel. “We will have many beautiful days during this, our fourth season.”

Many of the market’s 38 regular vendors were on hand, selling fresh produce, cheese and dairy, poultry, meat, eggs, baked goods, nursery stock, planting starts, cut flowers, prepared food, and specialty items. EBT and debit cards are now accepted at the market.

“We can always use volunteers – especially big strong volunteers – to help open and close the market each Wednesday,” Wendel said.

The cool, damp weather on May 13th was just right for keeping these vegetables crisp and delicious.

The nonprofit Moreland Farmers Market is open every Wednesday afternoon from 3:30 until 7:30 p.m. on the Wilhelm’s Portland Memorial parking lot, SE Bybee Boulevard at SE 14th Avenue.

CLICK HERE to learn more by visiting their website, or call (503) 341-9350.

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