Jan 30 PSU Vendor Update
It’s hard to believe, but this weekend’s market is the last one in January. Before we know it, February will be over too and I’ll say the same thing in a month. As quickly as time seems to pass, this time of year is actually fairly quiet for our staff and many of our vendors. We only operate one market at PSU on Saturdays and that market is much smaller in January and February.
There’s the perception that nothing grows during the winter, but luckily that’s not true. Some of the fresh produce you find at market this time of year may come from cold storage, like winter squash, apples and pears. But hearty greens, leeks, cabbage, carrots and beets (and more!) are among the veggies that our farmers are harvesting from their fields in preparation for market.
This is the second full season that PSU is operating year-round, and while the market footprint may be a bit smaller, our staff is committed to maintaining a wide variety of vendors. That’s why, in addition to fresh produce, you can find cheese, bread, pastries, fermented foods, spirits, eggs, meat, honey, chocolate, coffee, nuts, hot food and more at our winter market.
Just a reminder that the lineup changes every week, so be sure to check back here every week for an update on what products you can find at the winter market. We’ll do our best to update you on the details of who’s new and who’s out, plus a general list of what goodies you can find at the market. Of course things often change at the last minute for a variety of reasons so it’s always best to stop by our information booth on market day for the most updated information. And remember, you can also ask vendors when they’ll be at market next and what products they expect to have. Just another benefit of shopping your local farmers market!
New at the Market:
- Square Peg Farm is returning for the week, with a variety of squash, leeks, onions and hearty greens
- DeNoble Farm is back after a month-long hiatus following the flooding of their farm in Tillamook last month. Be sure to say hello and welcome them back!
- Pick up some blueberry wine from Springbank Farm this weekend. Be sure to grab a few bottles, as it’ll be a few weeks before they return
- Wandering Aengus Ciderworks will have a variety of hard ciders – be sure to sample some before you grab a few bottles!
- Pick up some antibiotic- and hormone-free pork sausage from Sweet Briar Farms (bi-weekly in the winter)
- Head over to Blue Heron Herbary for the perfect salad dressing to accompany the hearty winter salad greens you picked up from one of our produce vendors.
- Be sure to stay for some music by Bullets & Belles, a local Neo Doo Wop Folk Portland band performing from 11 am to 2pm at the music stage in the center of the market. Covered seating and tables are available.
Out this Week:
- Pine Mountain Ranch
- Persephone Farm (bi-weekly in the winter)
- Rick Steffen Farm
- Carman Ranch (bi-weekly in the winter)
- Prairie Creek Farm (bi-weekly in the winter)
What’s in Season:
- Many squash and pumpkin varieties, including butternut and acorn
- Apples and pears
- Local pasture-raised meats and poultry, including pork, beef, lamb
- Seafood – salmon, shrimp, crab, tuna (canned)
- Root vegetables, including beets, carrots, parsnips and turnips
- Potatoes, including sweet potatoes
- Hearty greens, such as kale, collards, chard, chicories
- Grains and legumes
- Popcorn
- Honey
- Eggs
- Sprouts
- Mushrooms
- Chocolate
- Nuts
- Fermented foods, including sauerkraut and kimchi
- Artisan bread, pastries, sweets
- Jams, jellies, sauces and spreads
- Dried flowers
- Beverages, including hard cider, blueberry wine, coffee
- Prepared foods – hot and ready to eat
- And more!
-Kelly Merrick, Communications Manager
