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16 March 2011

20 Seasons to Celebrate

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In June 1992, Craig Mosbaek, Ted Snider and Richard Hagan organized the first Portland Farmers Market in a parking lot along the Willamette River at Albers Mill. That first market had 13 vendors on opening day and later grew to 22 that first year.

From these humble beginnings, Portland Farmers Market has blossomed into a thriving network of six weekly markets, including the flagship Saturday market at Portland State University. In 2010, more than 700,000 shoppers purchased farm-fresh produce, baked goods, meats, cheeses, seafood and other specialty foods from more than 250 vendors at these six markets generating almost $8 million in sales, with the majority of that revenue going directly to vendors.

Mark your calendars! To celebrate the 20 laps around the sun since that first market, we will be throwing the community a big birthday party on June 18, 2011. You are invited to join the market’s staff, board members and founders to celebrate this special occasion with birthday treats, music, a dunk tank and other festive events.

We’ll toast the original 22 of the more than 180 vendors that take part in the Saturday PSU Market who have been selling their products since that very first season.

  • Baird Family Orchards
  • Early Mom

    Petunia's Pie and Pastries

    Happy 20th Birthday PFM! Photo courtesy of Petunia's Pie and Pastries

  • Favorite Produce of Oregon
  • Gabriel’s Bakery
  • Gathering Together Farm
  • Hummingbird’s Flowers Farm
  • Kaleng Produce
  • Kenyon Growers
  • Liepold Farms
  • Lucky Farms
  • Market Fruit/Packer Orchards
  • Oregon Walnuts
  • Osmogaia
  • Persephone Farms
  • Philleo Farms
  • Rick Steffen Farm
  • Rogue Creamery
  • Salmon Creek
  • Spring Hill Farm
  • Springwater Farm
  • Thompson Farms
  • Viridian Farms

“When we began this market twenty years ago we knew we were starting something special. It has been thrilling to see the market absolutely blossom and become such an integral part of Portland life,” said Craig Mosbaek, founding president of Portland Farmers Market. “The birthday party this June will be a fun and important celebration of Portland Farmers Market, the friendly shoppers, and – most importantly – the hard-working farmers and other vendors who bring local their local bounty to the heart of the city each week.”

He added, “Over the years, local famers have worked hard to harvest their produce earlier and earlier. I’m thrilled to see the market opening in March. It is amazing that we can celebrate Oregon’s bounty pretty much year round now at the market.”