farmersmarket-challenge

farmersmarket-challenge - King Market, Portland Oregon

Here in Portland, farmer’s markets are plentiful and I’m a year-round regular so when I saw @ericvancewalton’s farmer’s market challenge I knew I had to participate.

I’m one of those weirdos who LOVES the farmer’s market. I’ve been going since 1987. There have been moments when I’ve been moved to tears by the gorgeous produce grown with such care and sold by such nice people. I admit to being a total geek.

Lucy and me in action

There are so many large markets here and all are outdoors, even those that are year round. I attend the markets where my favorite vendors sell which means going to several markets. Lucky for me all are within walking or biking distance from my home so healthy shopping is convenient.

On Sunday we went to the King neighborhood market which is about a 15 minute walk and is a very small one. Some sunshine would have made the market more photograph-friendly, but honestly the mornings in the northwest tend towards cool and cloudy anyway so this gray sweater weather is a typical morning scene. Within 2 hours however, there were blue skies, the sun was shining brightly and it was a perfect 75 degrees.

This market has good variety even if small, everything from wild local mushrooms to distilled spirits to sauerkraut.

We arrive the minute it opens which means that we miss the music, but also means that we avoid the crowd and the 5-10 minute lines for paying for our goods.

Deck Family Farms has been my top choice for lamb and beef for years:

My priorities are 100% grass fed AND finished meats, eggs, butter, wild fish, 100% organic. I am interested in a decent quality of life for the animals, absolutely no GMOs or herbicides or pesticides (even organic) since this makes for the healthiest food and the healthiest planet for the next generations. I am very loyal to vendors and their products when they have the certifications of USDA Organic and Oregon Tilth since both generally indicate no GMOs. In fact the USDA consulted with Oregon Tilth to develop their organic certification standards since it’s historically been the best in the country.

Occasionally I’ll buy some some bitters or booze (this vendor below is fantastic), handmade pasta or pastries but like when I’m at the grocery store, I try to stick to what’s necessary and avoid impulse buys.

Because we’re probably more fussy than most, you might think that we spend a fortune on food but actually we don’t. For two of us and a dog we spend between $400-$500/month total for all grocery (food, and all things usually bought at grocery stores like dish soap, cleaners, toilet paper and this includes alcohol).

Farmer’s markets provide us with 80% of our food in spring, summer and fall and 60% in winter months shopping. Believe me, I’m fully aware of how fortunate I am to have access to this!

More to come as I attend each of my favorite various markets and thanks to @ericvancewalton and @fairytalelife for the opportunity to show and tell about a subject near and dear to my heart!

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To see some of my artwork, take a look at a recent post or my website ruthfrancesgreenberg.com