No, PFM is a 501 (c) 6 not-for-profit organization operated by paid staff and governed by an all-volunteer board of directors.
The organization is funded through vendor fees, the generous support of market sponsors, countless hours of volunteer time.

No, PFM currently operates five markets in the Portland metro area: PSU, Shemanski Park, King, Kenton, Lents International Farmers Markets.

To learn more about the many other wonderful farmers markets in Portland and beyond by visiting the Oregon Farmers Markets Association website.

The organization has been around since 1992. Learn more about PFM’s history here.

Learn how to become a vendor by reviewing the Become a Vendor section of our website.

If you are interested in becoming a market volunteer, please visit the Volunteer section of our website.

To apply to perform at one of our markets, visit the Market Music section of our website.

Music buskers are permitted when space allows.
Please review our 2023 PFM Busker Agreement to learn more.

At PFM’s two busiest downtown markets (Saturdays at PSU and Wednesdays at Shemanski Park) we ask that pet owners keep their pets away from market vendors and shopper walkways.

Pet owners must abide by these six rules to make a pet’s visit to the market a good experience for everyone:

• Pets must be kept on a short leash.
• Pets must be under control and by the owner’s side at all times.
• Keep pets away from produce, plants, and other food products.
• Pets must be friendly with other animals and children to earn the right to be at the market.
• Be considerate—not everyone loves dogs and some customers are allergic to animals.
• Don’t forget to clean up after your dog!

PFM management reserves the right to request that owners remove pets from the market.

PFM is pleased to accept SNAP/Oregon Trail EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) cards at all of our markets.
To use your card, visit the market information booth, where you will receive $1 denomination wooden EBT tokens which may be used in lieu of cash at all markets within the following provisions:

• $1 EBT Tokens may only be used for: fruits, vegetables, meats, fish poultry, dairy products and seeds and plants intended for growing food
• $1 EBT Tokens may not be used for: non-food items, hot prepared foods
• No change can be given back by vendors
• Unused tokens can be returned to the information booth and credited to your Oregon Trail account or used at future markets

In addition, all of our markets offer Double Up Food Bucks, a matching program that helps stretch your dollars at the market. Find out more about the token matching program for EBT users on the Double Up Food Bucks website.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, administers benefits through an Electronic Bank Transfer (EBT) system. SNAP recipients receive their benefits electronically, and access them with their Oregon Trail Card, which operates on similar technology as credit and debit cards. The SNAP Program is a federally funded USDA Food and Nutrition Services program.

No cash? No problem. For regular market purchases, PFM will accept debit and credit cards and provide shoppers with $5 denomination wooden tokens.

• There are no restrictions on what can be bought with the $5 tokens.
• Treat them just like cash at any market booth
• All vendors accept them and give full change at the time of purchase
• The tokens may be used at all PFM markets and have no expiration date
• $5 tokens cannot be refunded for cash once purchased by market staff
• There is a minimum purchase of $20
• A $4 bank charge will be added to each transaction
• Tokens make great gifts!

Visit any market information booth to find out more and to purchase market tokens.

The Oregon Farm Direct Nutrition Program (FDNP) is a state-administered federal nutrition program. FDNP funds go to low-income, nutritionally at-risk pregnant women and young children enrolled in the Women Infants & Children (WIC) program and to eligible low-income seniors and people with disabilities. These federal funds are specifically distributed in order to purchase locally produced fresh fruit and vegetables directly from authorized farmers at farm stands and farmers markets.

Our vendors with qualified products are required to accept these vouchers at their booths. To find out which vendors participate in this program, look for signs displayed in their booths, or ask someone at our market information booth.

Market tours are a fun and educational way for small groups of students, tourists, and civic groups to learn about how food is produced, why it is important to make good food choices, and to meet the farmers and artisan food producers from our market community. Guided tours of the market can include the history of the market, talks from local producers and product tastings. Tours are conducted on a pre-arranged basis and are customizable based on the interest of the visiting group. If you are interested in a market tour, please contact us.

PFM is proud to offer the market as a resource to other community-based nonprofits.
There is no charge for tabling but pre-approval from PFM staff is required. If you are interested in tabling at our markets, please review our Community Groups requirements.

Market programs and special events are the vehicles for enacting PFM’s educational goals. PFM believes if the markets are to continue to grow and flourish it is critical to educate consumers on the value of supporting regional agriculture. We annually review and evaluate all our programs in terms of costs and benefits, deleting and adding programs where appropriate. Funding for these activities is raised through sponsors and in-kind donations. In addition, volunteers give countless hours of their time to ensure the success of these events.

We welcome the opportunity to make your project a success and will guide and assist you at our markets.  Our fee is based on factors including but not limited to; project scope, Portland Farmers Market staff time required, and degree of impact on market vendors and shoppers. Please visit our Filming and Photography at Markets section of our website.

Vendors’ fees at PFM cover the essential cost of operating the markets, including site rental, permits, advertising, insurance, and staffing. To keep vendors’ fees as low as possible and fund educational outreach, PFM solicits sponsors for individual markets, special events and programs. Sponsor candidates are evaluated individually to ensure no direct conflict with the Market’s mission.
Learn more about becoming a PFM sponsor here.

For all media inquiries and/or to request images, please email contact@portlandfarmersmarket.org
Thank you!

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Read more about our organization, commitment to equity and inclusion, diversity in hiring and equal employment statement.