28 June 2013

Get It While It's Hot

by Kelly Merrick

Summer is officially here and that means things are in full swing at the markets. Not only can you pick up some local goodies perfect for your Fourth of July party, but you can also take advantage of some great activities going on at the markets.

Great Pyramid of BeansPortland State University

At the PSU market, Chef in the Market is underway and this week Portland Monthly, sponsor of Chef in the Market, will be passing out free copies of the magazine near the chef’s stage while Chef Hank Costello of Andina does his demo, starting at 10 am.

Kids Cook classes are also being held at PSU Saturdays in June, July and August.  The classes run from 8:30 – 10:00am and cost $5 per child per class. This week participating kiddos will be making savory crepes with fresh produce from the market. Class sizes are limited so pre-register your child by downloading the Kids Cook Registration form  or by calling 503.241.0032.

Jacobsen Salt Co., one of the market’s newest vendors, will be at the PSU market this weekend giving market-goers a sample of their wildly popular, locally harvested sea salt. Word has it that Ruby Jewel is even making a special ice cream sandwich featuring their vanilla bean salt just for the market!

Jacobs Creamery has cheese curds to market this week! Lisa is calling them Nuggets tho because it’s way more fun this way. Also there will be delicious wheels of Bloomy, a Camembert-ish style of cheese  fantastic on it’s own; better with thinly sliced with spinach and strawberries with balsamic or with tomatoes and basil!

As if that’s not already enough, Swan Island Dahlias debuts with–you guessed it–lovely dahlias and  Lavender Haven will be making an appearance this weekend with fresh lavender, so stop by, say hi, and pick up a little something from their selection of fresh lavender, lavender products and oils.

DSC_0306King Market

Market Play Zone activities for kids of all ages are offered every week at the King Portland Farmers Market on Sundays from 10 am to 2 pm through September. The activity schedule includes mini music workshops, make your own Mr. Potato Head, food-themed art projects, drop-in cooking activities, fruit and veggie bingo, and recess-style games to help entertain them while you shop.

Pioneer Courthouse Square

If you haven’t heard of Go Box, now is the time to familiarize yourself. Go Box is a service that provides reusable take-out containers at over 75 food carts and other downtown eateries and  is celebrating their second anniversary at our PCS Market on Monday. To honor their  customers and thank community partners for all their support, they’re offering free lunch vouchers to the first 100 GO Box subscribers to come down to the Farmers Market.

There’s one more thing you should keep in mind when planning your market trip this weekend: you’ll want to stock up on party foods for the the upcoming holiday, as Wednesday’s Shemanski Park market and Thursday’s Buckman and Northwest markets will be closed. However, it’s business as usual at Kenton once Friday the 5th rolls around.