By Joshua Lickteig | Contributing Writer
“Shop, volunteer, donate!” says Woodlawn Farmers Market (WFM) Manager PZ with a smile, in a refreshing patch of shade at a nearby park. The independent outdoor market will celebrate its 10-year anniversary on Saturday, September 7th, from 10 am – 2 pm. Anjala Ehelebe, local historian and author of the Images of America Series book about the Woodlawn neighborhood, will be speaking.
The location of WFM is convenient for those in Woodlawn, Concordia, and Piedmont neighborhoods who don’t have a market within walking distance. Additionally, WFM is open beyond Cully Farmers Market (which closed at the end of August) and like other Portland farmers markets, accepts SNAP food stamps.
“Fundamentally I believe everyone should have access to fresh produce. This wouldn’t be the case without the market,” says Erin Cooper, a WFM board member.
The event will have 20 vendors, two live bands, face-painting artists, and offer balloons, raffles and prizes. Barn Owl Jazz and Beacon Rock Family Band will play music. Nonprofits Kindness Farm and Care Oregon will host the community tables. Vendors for the celebration include Mexican restaurant Xocalo PDX, Pink Goose Bakery, Flipturn Cellars Urban Winery, GEMMM Soaps, ZK Flowers, and three local farms.
One of WFM’s goals is to support start-ups by charting pathways from pop-ups and booths onward to brick-and-mortar establishments. Once a vendor, Rangoon Bistro now has two locations and other businesses such as HiFi Baking Company and For My Ancestors Tinctures started at Woodlawn Farmers Market. And unlike most grocery stores, the market is not subsidized. Surrounding businesses pitch in with refreshments for volunteers, power, trash handling, and supply storage.
What’s next beyond the 10th year? WFM is looking to add tents, sustain permits, create scholarship opportunities, recruit two more board members, and find a more durable supply shed. The board is also writing a proposal for a grant from the Oregon Farmers Markets Association. The grant would help protect from environmental impacts like disruptive heat, high winds and ensure high air quality, by, for example, funding local indoor space and cooling stations.
PZ adds, “A highly valuable direct impact you can make in your neighborhood is to commit to buying local produce, which supports vendors and also pays booth fees.” Further, it reinforces the cultural, economic, and social significance of a neighborhood joining together. This takes a committed group of volunteers and donors to keep the work moving each week. “[It] truly is a community event.” See you around the markets!
More Info
Woodlawn Farmers Market is open every Saturday through October 26th, from 10am-2pm on NE Durham Ave. between NE Dekum and NE Madrona streets. You can learn more at woodlawnfarmersmarket.org and on Instagram, Facebook, and Nextdoor at @woodlawnfarmersmarket.
Joshua Lickteig is an artist and engineer. He was born near the other Milwaukee and has been in Portland for six years. His latest book of poems is called Half Moon Day Sun.