Vendor Workshop Series: Customer Service in Diverse Farmers Markets

Portland Farmers Market, in collaboration with Oregon Farmers Market Association, will host a series of three webinars for market vendors this Winter. These engaging sessions aim to enhance the shopping experience for everyone at Oregon's vibrant farmers markets, and thereby increase vendor success.

Join us on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at 4:30 pm for our first workshop: Boost Your SNAP & Double Up Sales by Enhancing Shopper Experience

Register now!

Presented by Mallory Watson, Farmers Market Fund, this workshop was initially developed for market managers in 2022, with input and guidance from the Hunger Free Oregon SNAP Community Advisory Board, and has been adapted to be relevant for market vendors and their staff.

Topics covered will include:

  • The state of hunger in Oregon today and how we got here.
  • Defining trauma and how it shows up for people.
  • How creating a safe and welcoming environment at the market for our most vulnerable neighbors can lead to increased sales and more repeat customers.
  • Plenty of time for breakout groups, reflection, discussion, and questions.

About Mallory Watson:
For the past 6 years, Mallory has worked with farmers markets across Oregon to administer Double Up Food Bucks in her role as the Farmers Market Program Manager at Farmers Market Fund. Mallory has completed the Oregon Food Bank's Summer Equity Institute, Portland Street Response's Trauma Informed De-escalation Training, and Trauma Informed Oregon's Foundations of Trauma Informed Care course, among many other equity and justice-focused workshops and training, which inform her daily work. Mallory also holds an M.S. in Nutrition and has dedicated her career to increasing community access to fresh produce and building a more just and equitable food system. When she is not geeking out on spreadsheets, you can find her cozied up with a cup of tea and a knitting project, enjoying the natural wonders of the PNW, or shopping at her neighborhood farmers market!

 

Look forward to the following workshops coming later this Winter:

February 2025: Navigating Language and Cultural Differences to Build Shopper Relationships and Increase Sales at Farmers Markets

March 2025: Working Together to Make Markets Welcoming for All