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| Signage for the Market |
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| Entrance with the flagsI hung up! |
Early morning rose on the city of Portland as I rolled out of bed. Excitement ran through my body as I showered and got ready for a very eventful morning working at a Farmer’s Market. To give you all a little background about why I was so thrilled to be awake at 5:30am, I was in Portland two summers ago on an Alternative Break with the national alternative breaks office, Break Away. For a week we worked with organizations throughout the city that focused their work on sustainability practices and teaching me and 59 other students from across the country on how to be a steward to the environment.
One of the organizations that I worked with, Zenger Farm, creates opportunity, education, and a TON of produce through their organic farm found on the outskirts of the city. The farm stretches several acres and grows just about everything you could imagine as well as maintaining a giant flock of chickens (see picture)! While working there, we discovered that not only does Zenger Farm create amazing fruits and vegetables but has numerous other programs throughout the year that reach out to the community.
Several of their programs are youth focused where children can come and learn about organic farming, tend their own small gardens, and work as a team to produce some rockin’ vegetarian treats. Another program that the farm has is it donates parts of its own land to immigrant families who are looking to make a living but have not found many opportunities yet. Many of the families bring their own cultural agriculture methods to the farm which helps to enrich the sharing of knowledge between community farmers in the area. Zenger also partners with Lents International Farmer’s Market located at SE 92nd and Foster in the Lents neighborhood to help sell the crops that are produced in these families plots and all of the money goes directly back to them.
One of the organizations that I worked with, Zenger Farm, creates opportunity, education, and a TON of produce through their organic farm found on the outskirts of the city. The farm stretches several acres and grows just about everything you could imagine as well as maintaining a giant flock of chickens (see picture)! While working there, we discovered that not only does Zenger Farm create amazing fruits and vegetables but has numerous other programs throughout the year that reach out to the community.
Several of their programs are youth focused where children can come and learn about organic farming, tend their own small gardens, and work as a team to produce some rockin’ vegetarian treats. Another program that the farm has is it donates parts of its own land to immigrant families who are looking to make a living but have not found many opportunities yet. Many of the families bring their own cultural agriculture methods to the farm which helps to enrich the sharing of knowledge between community farmers in the area. Zenger also partners with Lents International Farmer’s Market located at SE 92nd and Foster in the Lents neighborhood to help sell the crops that are produced in these families plots and all of the money goes directly back to them.
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| The Break Away Crew at Zenger Farm! |
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| The Chickens |
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| Caught one! |
So, Lents is where I was off to that early morning in Portland to help in the setup and do a little shopping myself! Upon arriving I met several wonderful people who have been participating on the board of directors for the market for several years now as well as other volunteers. Setup went pretty smoothly setting up several tents for vendors, stringing up signs and flags, and setting up the community table in the center of the market.
Lents International Farmer’s Market was quite unique to any organic farmer’s market I had been to before. It is very community based and has several programs throughout the day in addition to the selling of produce by the vendors. When you arrive in the market, you are greeted by a volunteer who is running the educational program for the day. I was lucky enough to be able to take part in the dot survey that day and was the only one from outside Portland at the market! Off in the corner is a mini grass stage where musical performances by community artists and cooking demonstrations are held. There is a professional gardeners table, which provides individuals the opportunity to perfect their gardening skills and troubleshoot with the panel of professional gardeners.
In the center of the market is the community table which is definitely unique to Lents. Any and all local community gardeners can sell their produce here at the table and make a little profit from the food they have worked hard growing. This adds to the community feeling of the market and helps increase sustainability efforts within the community as well!
Now as you all know, I have this weird erotic affliction with fruit according to my last encounter with a Golden Nectarine in Seattle. Similarly, I fell in love with one of the vendors strawberries. They were the perfect ripeness and were the perfect breakfast treat after a hard mornings work! I encourage all of you to go out and support your local farmer’s markets. What I like to do is plan a Sunday dinner based off my trip to the market. Eating Healthy, Fresh Organic Produce, and Supporting Your Community. A simple way to support your community and tummy every week!
Lents International Farmer’s Market was quite unique to any organic farmer’s market I had been to before. It is very community based and has several programs throughout the day in addition to the selling of produce by the vendors. When you arrive in the market, you are greeted by a volunteer who is running the educational program for the day. I was lucky enough to be able to take part in the dot survey that day and was the only one from outside Portland at the market! Off in the corner is a mini grass stage where musical performances by community artists and cooking demonstrations are held. There is a professional gardeners table, which provides individuals the opportunity to perfect their gardening skills and troubleshoot with the panel of professional gardeners.
In the center of the market is the community table which is definitely unique to Lents. Any and all local community gardeners can sell their produce here at the table and make a little profit from the food they have worked hard growing. This adds to the community feeling of the market and helps increase sustainability efforts within the community as well!
Now as you all know, I have this weird erotic affliction with fruit according to my last encounter with a Golden Nectarine in Seattle. Similarly, I fell in love with one of the vendors strawberries. They were the perfect ripeness and were the perfect breakfast treat after a hard mornings work! I encourage all of you to go out and support your local farmer’s markets. What I like to do is plan a Sunday dinner based off my trip to the market. Eating Healthy, Fresh Organic Produce, and Supporting Your Community. A simple way to support your community and tummy every week!
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