NE Farmers Markets Kick Off Neighborhood Food Sharing Partnership

By Joshua Lickteig  Contributing Writer

This year’s summer season will see a joint effort by the farmers markets of Cully, Woodlawn, and Rocky Butte to bring a new food sharing program called pahtl o’-pekwan, which means “full basket” in Chinuk Wawa, the native trade language of the Pacific Northwest. The goal of the program is to ensure communities in the NE quadrant are closely working together to disperse locally grown food and also showcase the need for access to fresh, healthy options. Each market will allot $50 in tokens (that can be either spent or combined at any of the three participating markets), for those in need, or through a “one time hardship application”, with priority given to minority group members and seniors over the age of 65.

“Grassroots efforts are the catalyst to change,” says S.A. Lawrence-Welch, manager of Cully Farmers Market (CFM) for the past two seasons. “Let’s advocate together for safe community spaces, push for access to fresh produce and other things people need. Let’s make sure the neighborhood is fed, taken care of and nurtured,” she adds with a smile.

Eligible food includes produce (root vegetables, greens, mushrooms, legumes, berries, fruits and some dried products like freeze dried unprocessed vegetables with no additives), meat (including fresh fish, canned fish with no additives \ seasonings or salt, eggs, beef, pork, chicken, and rabbit), and some additional products, such as honey.

CFM is “an Indigenous led and community-focused market”, funded by Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA). Wapas Nah Neģe Shaku is the name of the NAYA garden that provides ten boxes of produce to CFM to distribute to community members each week .

“It’s scary to ask for help sometimes, but if you are met with a friendly face, it’s easier to receive that help. And when you’re safe you’re more able to make positive change and be a part of others’ lives,” Lawrence-Welch says. In addition to pahtl o’-pe-kwan, the Cully Token Program offers $20 to patrons who are receiving government assistance; a form is submitted for each request. The program started on May 24th and interested attendees can apply in person at the market.

“The community is everybody. All have unique experiences, but have the same goals, ” Lawrence-Welch expresses with heartfelt positivity. Look for more formal announcements and informational pamphlets once the project is closer to rollout in the coming season.

“Between Woodlawn, Rocky [Butte] and Cully we are going to make magic happen.”

Joshua Lickteig is an artist and engineer. He was born near the other Milwaukee and has been in Portland since 2018. His latest book of poems is called Half Moon Day Sun.