06 May 2010

Market Report – Now with More Markets

King Market opened on Sunday. Wednesday, the old Downtown Market kicked off with its new name, Shemanksi. Thursday, the 2010 Season of the Buckman Market starts at 3pm. Located on SE 20th and Salmon, what was once known as the Eastbank Market, changes its name to reflect its neighborhood supporters.

Same location – new name and a new starting time of 3pm. And there are new farmers, growers and ranchers participating at the Buckman Market this year. You can meet the new farmers today or you can read about Hansen Family Farms, Two Forks and Reister Farms on PFM’s blog. For some of the same old same old – Achiele should have strawberries, Tails & Trotters has their hazelnut finished pork, Rogue Creamery has their award winning cheese and Fressen Bakery has bread to put it on.

Sunday is Mothers Day. At Saturday’s PSU Market will be on hand for local gifts. Twisted Vine has gift ready bouquets for $10. Janna’s Flowers, Lucky Farms and Kaleng will be on hand with flowers as well. If your mom is of the “I don’t want it if I can’t eat it” view about Farmers Market booty Montillet, French Prairie, Highland Oak, Garden Color, Total Pig, The Meadow with their unbelievable salts and Nut-tricious Foods will all be at PSU between 8.30 and 2 this Saturday.

Sunday is Mother’s Day and also noteworthy, the King Market – if the mom in your life is not so much about the gifts as the casual Sunday morning – King offers playgrounds, music, coffee and the chance to take home an easy dinner from Copper Crown – their hazelnut-asparagus pesto that is rave-worthy (Copper Crown also at Buckman through the end of May).

On Tuesday, funny guy, gardener and newly minted bread baker William Alexander will be at Powell’s City of books at 7.30 to read from his book 52 Loaves. A great gift if your mom likes to read, laugh and/or bake. Mr. Alexander’s first book, $64 Tomato captures the joy, expense and heartbreak of gardening. Also a good gift your mom is more of the gardening type. Monday, we will post an interview with Mr. Alexander about baking, gardening and his epic battle to keep deer out of his Hudson Valley garden.

And if your mom doesn’t like reading, flowers or food  you can make a donation in her name to Fresh Exchange. This is  a new program aimed at making fresh, locally grown produce accessible to everyone. The program funds a dollar for dollar match (up to $5) for all Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly Food Stamp) funds redeemed at the market. In 2009, 1 in 6 Oregonians received SNAP benefits. These are individuals, families and seniors who, for a variety of reasons, are food insecure. To find out more about how you can support this program, stop by the Fresh Exchange booth at the Buckman Market or visit our website for more info.