04 October 2011

PFM Adds a Winter Market

By Deborah Pleva

As Portlanders adjust to the short and soggy days of fall, Portland Farmers Market is planning for winter. Leaders of the nonprofit organization today announced the opening of its first winter market on Saturdays in January and February 2012, a time when Portland Farmers Market in the past has hibernated, with all six of its weekly markets closed.

The market will be located downtown at Shemanski Park in the South Park Blocks between SW Salmon and SW Main Streets. In addition to winter produce, the market will offer shoppers meats, fish, baked goods cheeses, pickled products, hot foods and sweets. There will be approximately 45 vendors in total.

The Winter Market will feature a few large tents to protect shoppers from inclement weather. There will also be a covered seating area. During the market hours, SW Main Street will be closed between SW Broadway Avenue and SW Park Avenue providing easy access to the market and the restrooms at the Performing Arts Center, which will be open for shoppers.

Portland Farmers Market at PSU closes December 17, 2011, and reopens March 17, 2012.  The Winter Market will run between the winter closing and spring opening dates, operating eight Saturdays from 10 am to 2 pm, January 7 to February 25. There will be no Portland Farmers Market on Saturdays the first two weeks of March.

“Our vendors are eager to sign up for the Winter Market and we’re pleased to offer this market to our loyal shoppers,” said Trudy Toliver, executive director of Portland Farmers Market. “We’ll have plenty of wintry comfort food and artisan foods, as well as plenty of greens and produce thanks to our innovative farmers.”

Portland Farmers Market just opened the application process and current Portland Farmers Market vendors are eligible and welcome to apply by October 12. The final vendor list will be announced in early November.