As part of our Neighbors in the Market series this season, we are delighted to welcome CJ of Alberta Alchemy for a food preservation demo, highlighting the freshest seasonal produce sourced directly from the King market vendors.

Everyone is invited to stop by the the booth to see CJ’s expertise and learn about the local ingredients he uses. You can also sample the recipe and ask questions!

About Alberta Alchemy
At Alberta Alchemy, we believe that true healing and nourishment come from the earth. Rooted in the heart of Portland’s Alberta Arts District, we craft small-batch, intentional products that blend old-world wisdom with modern integrity. From tallow-based body butters and salves to herbal-infused remedies and food preservation workshops, our work honors ancestral practices while empowering community wellness and self-reliance. Each item is made by hand using real food ingredients, locally sourced botanicals, and time-honored techniques. Whether you’re using our hemp-infused muscle rubs, sipping our elderberry tonics, or learning to can seasonal produce at one of our market workshops, our goal is always the same: to reconnect people with the land, their bodies, and each other.

Meet Alberta Alchemy’s Founder

I’m C.J. — a Portland-based disabled father, herbalist-in-progress, and lifelong advocate for natural living and mutual aid. I founded Alberta Alchemy as a way to bring together everything I love: healing, food, craft, and community. My journey began with preserving food for my own family and evolved into a passion for traditional remedies, regenerative gardening, and building systems that make wellness accessible to everyone — especially those who’ve been historically left out. Alberta Alchemy isn’t just a brand — it’s a movement. A way to reclaim our relationship to the earth and to ourselves, one jar, balm, or garden bed at a tim