ON AN EARLY October morning in 1992, thirteen vendors gathered in the Albert’s Mill parking lot on NW Naito Parkway. They stretched their arms, set up their tables, unloaded their trucks and waited.
Now, more than 30 years later, the Portland State University (PSU) Farmer’s Market is the weekly home to almost 200 vendors. It is a celebrated landmark that is a constantly evolving display of Portland’s bewitching, vibrant charm.
Unlike Portland’s Saturday Market on the waterfront every weekend, the PSU Farmer’s Market boasts a more intimate, local feel, with more emphasis on fresh produce and local food and less on artistry / retail goods.
From the Pio Express stop at Shattuck Hall, the market is but a two-minute walk away. When I arrived on campus a mere two weeks ago, I did not know that my first off-campus experience was going to be one so rich in flavor and culture.
When I returned this Saturday to inspect my new neighborhood spot further, I found gems that were definitely “Portlandia”-worthy. From colorful produce and organic hot sauce to flower bouquets that will have you swooning, here are some spots you should check out at the historic and lively PSU Saturday Market.
Merryhill Fruit is a quaint peach and plum stand owned by Washington resident Kimiko Atkins. The family business was established in 1936, and Atkins has been running it for the past nine years. Merryhill regularly sells at five different farmer’s markets, but she seemed to find PSU’s location the most fruitful for her business (pun intended).
“It’s really neat because of the diversity and the amount of people that come through,” she said. “I would actually say it is our favorite. There’s a wide range of vendors, everything’s amazing quality … It’s a really great market.”
Clearly, Atkins is a passionate farmer who — according to Merryhill’s website — engages in sustainable practices and focuses largely on creating the best quality products while caring for Mother Earth.
After talking with Atkins, I walked my way around the market some more until I came across Raynblest Farm — a stand chock-full of beeswax products, ranging from intricately-designed candles to blackberry honey and hand salve. This stand had it all and at reasonable prices. Two women stood behind the booth, one of whom was the farm’s owner, Barbara Davis.
“(We’ve been selling here) since they first moved up to the park blocks … I think it was ’96, ’97,” Davis said.
She told me that they have owned their farm since 1991. I inquired about how she got into the beeswax and honey business.
“When we bought our farm, it had bees on it,” she explained. “I don’t know, I’ve been doing it for so long. It’s, you know, work. It’s just kind of what I’ve been doing. But, you know, I like helping people. Making the lotions for the people that need it, helping them.”
She seemed to light up when I asked her about the customer base at the market.
“Oh, the people are really good, and there’s a lot of disposable income on this side of Portland,” said Davis. “(The other vendors) are really great. This (market) is a good one. I like this one the best.”
From juicy peaches to beeswax lip balm, I got to know the PSU Market relatively well this Saturday.
While there are always new vendors coming and going, I feel as though the PSU Market will always be a winner. There is something for everyone in the expansive, almost 200-booth market — and you can never go wrong with supporting local businesses.
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