Retire In Style Blog Too: It's all Portland Metro Week: Farmer's Markets

I love our local farmer's market. I walk the three short blocks on Sunday morning to pick up my produce, a bouquet of flowers and lots of information for my blog. Hillsboro is the location for three of these markets. My Sunday farmers market is here in Orenco Station, Hillsboro Oregon and downtown main street hosts one on Tuesday evening and another on Saturday morning. Here in the Portland Metro area you can find a farmers market somewhere every day of the week.

Orenco Station Farmer's Market Sundays 10 AM-2 PM

Oregon Farmer's Market Association web page lists over 100 market from throughout the state. The organizers like to support local farmer and artisans food creators as well as local artists. As a result the market here in Hillsboro has some rules for what vendors can and cannot sell. For example, importing vegetable from out of the area is not permitted. The time the market can and cannot be open is set and a bell is rung for when sales can begin and when they must end. (Don't be late!) The atmosphere of the market is friendly and welcoming.

The last Sunday I stopped and talked to two of the artisans that were selling their creations. The first was a woman that owns a business called Basketry Bontanica by Carol. Her beautiful baskets are available through her Etsy Shop and are priced very reasonably. She has over 100 people rating her service and the baskets she creates at 100%. If you are a basket lover like me I encourage you to take a look at her artwork and maybe even order a custom designed piece. (503-336-1176) Tell her I sent you over.

...specializing in Appalachian melon and Cherokee style storage baskets, open-weave garlic and onion storage, Market baskets and other styles for household use. You'll find a number of basket designs here and if you don't see what you desire, contact us with your ideas...custom baskets can be woven just for you.

Botanica basket in Orenco Station Farmer's Market

Owner of Basketry Botanica

Garden Art by Roberta

The second booth that caught my eye was one called Garden Art by Roberta. She will teach you how to recreate the beautiful items she has for sale. Her classes for creating concrete leaves are $30 and if you can get a couple more people to join you she will have a class just for you. The $30 includes all the materials. Her number is 503-350-2348. Her class schedule for 2011 is:

June 18 Saturday 1-3
June 29 Wednesday 1-3
July 13 Wednesday 10-12
Jule 16 Saturday 10-12
August 2 Tuesday 1012
August 13 Saturday 1012
September 3 Saturday 10-12
September 3 Saturday 10-12
September 7 Wednesday 10-12

I always buy my vegetable from the Martinez Family Farms but there are many other local small farms that are selling each Sunday.

If you are here from out of town be sure to check the schedule for the markets held downtown. Artisans are always set up for you to enjoy their creations.