28 March 2014

My 2014 Farmers Market Hit List

By Kelly Merrick

And so begins market season

And so begins market season

Springtime is my favorite time of year. I love it when the weather starts to warm up, the days get longer and the daffodils start peeking out of the ground. But I especially love it because it means a new farmers market season has just begun.

Every new season brings something to be excited about. And this year is no exception. The 2014 market season offers a lot to boast about, so I’ve compiled a list of the top 10 things I am looking forward to at Portland Farmers Market this year:

Lovely creations from My Wreaths

Lovely creations from My Wreaths

1. Seeing some fresh faces. The PSU Market has 10 new vendors this year, offering up goods like bread, juice and spirits.
2. Checking out My Wreaths, a new venture by Kenyon Growers, a longtime flower vendor at the market. If you’ve been to the Portland State market this year, you probably saw their beautiful wreaths and other decorative branches. If you hesitated and didn’t stop by last week, you better hurry. They will only be selling the wreaths at PSU for March and April before they return in October.
3. Grabbing a bite to eat at every single one of the hot food vendors.
4. Visiting the neighborhood markets. I’ve got a summer packed full of weekend getaways, so that means I’ll get to visit the smaller neighborhood markets.
5. Volunteering at the information booth and at other fun market activities. Have you heard how much fun it is to volunteer at the market?
6. Attending my first Farmer’s Feast dinner. If this is something you’ve wanted to try too, you can check out the next dinner on April 25 (tonight’s Buckwheat dinner is sold out). It’s part of the Whole Grain Supper Series at Tabor Bread. If you’re interested, visit click here for more information.
7. Taste testing new and exciting foods, like the unique salt flavors with Jacobsen Salt Co. and the creatively cheesy creations available at Fraga Farms. Don’t be afraid to sample!

Plant starts at Sun Gold Farm

Plant starts at Sun Gold Farm

8. Buying my vegetable starts. Did you know many of the produce vendors sell vegetable starts? I suggest you look for them next time you’re out shopping. I bought my tomato starts from Sun Gold Farm last season and got some growing advice straight from Farmer Charlie himself!
9. Tapping my foot to market music. I love to grab a bite to eat in the middle of my shopping trip and sit down to enjoy the music floating through the market. Here’s who’ll be playing this Saturday.
10. Buying real, good, local food. Do I need to say any more?

What about you? What are you looking forward to this season at Portland Farmers Market?