WINTER MARKET!
By Deborah Pleva
Today is the first day of winter – a day that often conjures images of gray skies, dark afternoons and relentless rain in Portland. But for Portland Farmers Market, it heralds the imminent arrival of the Winter Market and its piles of purple and green kale; pyramids of carrots, parsnips and beets; and baskets of apples, pears, potatoes and onions.
Hearty Foods for Hearty Souls
The Winter Market will run from 10 am to 2 pm eight consecutive Saturdays from January 5, to February 23, 2013.
“Indeed the winter months are a bit more inviting knowing our farmers will return to Shemanski Park with bushels of colorful produce right after we ring in the new year,” said Trudy Toliver, executive director of Portland Farmers Market. “Other vendors will bring meats, fish, eggs, artisan breads, cheeses and sweets – everything we need to keep our soup pots and dinner tables full of local goodness for the next couple months.”
Where to Go and What You’ll Find
Located downtown at Shemanski Park in the South Park Blocks between SW Salmon and SW Main Streets, more than 40 market vendors will brave the winter weather over the course of the second season of the Winter Market. Shoppers can expect to find winter produce including leafy greens, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, beets, radishes and leeks, along with storage crops such as apples, pears, potatoes and onions.
How Is It Possible?
As demand for locally grown produce continues to rise, the region’s innovative farmers are meeting that need with a variety of season-extending techniques such as planting winter-hardy varietals and using row covers, cold frames, hoop houses and greenhouses to protect crops from the elements. With the addition of Portland Farmers Market’s Winter Market, Portlanders now have access to locally grown farm-fresh food all year long.
Creature Comforts
Portland Farmers Market staff will provide a few large tents to protect shoppers from inclement weather. There will also be a covered seating area for shoppers to gather and visit, or enjoy freshly-brewed coffee, hot food and soups. During market hours, SW Main Street will be closed between SW Broadway and SW Park Avenue, providing easy access to the market and the restrooms at the Performing Arts Center, which will be open for shoppers.
Prizes for Loyal Shoppers
Portland Farmers Market is offering incentives to shoppers who frequent the market three or more times each month. These shoppers will be entered in a monthly prize drawing and the winning name will be drawn at the end of the final market day of each month. Customers are encouraged to stop by the information booth for additional details.
Winter Market Vendors (vendors new to Winter Market this season are in bold print):
Farmers
Alsea Acre Alpines, Alsea, OR
Ancient Heritage Dairy, Madras, OR
Blue Heron Herbary, Portland, OR
Cherry Country, Rickreall, OR
Dancing Chicken Farm, La Center, WA
Deck Family Farm, Junction City, OR
DeNoble’s, Tillamook, OR
Gathering Together Farm, Philomath, OR
Gee Creek Farm, Ridgefield, WA
Greenville Farms, Forest Grove, OR
Groundwork Organics, Junction City, OR
Kiyokawa Family Orchards, Parkdale, OR
Linda Brand Crab, Chinook, OR
Market Fruit/Packer Orchards, Hood River, OR
Osmogaia, Woodburn, OR
Persephone Farm, Lebanon, OR
Pine Mountain Ranch, Bend, OR
Raymond Kuenzi Farm, Silverton, OR
Rick Steffen Farm, Salem, OR
Spring Hill Farm, Albany, OR
Springwater Farm, St. Helens, OR
SuDan Farm, Canby, OR – oregonwool.com
Sweet Briar Farms, Eugene, OR – sweet-briar-farms.com
Winters Farms, Troutdale, OR
Food Producers and Artisans
Boyco Foods, Beaverton, OR
Chop Butchery & Charcuterie, Portland, OR
Columbia River Smoked Salmon, Portland, OR
Copper Crown Fine Foods, Portland, OR
Delphina’s Bakery, Portland, OR
Fressen Artisan Bakery, Portland, OR
Jacobs Creamery, Chehalis, WA
Market Gourmet, Hood River, OR
Rogue Creamery, Central Point, OR
Tails and Trotters, Portland, OR
Two Tarts Bakery, Inc., Portland, OR
Prepared Food Vendors
Cascade Naturals, Portland, OR (once per month only)
Night Owl Roasters, Portland, OR
Salvador Molly’s Restaurant, Portland, OR
Springwater Farm, St. Helens, OR
Tastebud, Portland, OR
Verde Cocina, Portland, OR
