Portland Farmers Market

Portland Farmers Market was established in 1992 by three founders – Craig Mosbaek, Ted Snider and Richard Hagan. These three local activists worked with local farmers who wanted to supply fresh produce, meats, and prepared goods to the people of Portland. Marketing costs for classified ads, posters and flyers were a mere $30 that first year. The original market – held in a parking lot at Albers Mill – had 13 vendors on opening day, then grew to 22 that first year. Soon thereafter, the main Saturday market moved to the PSU campus, and a second market was added on Wednesdays in 1997. By 1999, the number of vendors had grown to just short of 50, and additional markets were added on Thursdays – first in the Pearl and then in Southeast Portland. In 2009 a market was added in the King Neighborhood of Northeast Portland. 2010 brought the migration of the Pearl market to NW 23rd as well as a market in Pioneer Courthouse Square. Each year the number of vendors has grown and today operations have been expanded to manage more than 250 vendors at six sites in Portland’s urban core. Total sales for all vendors are nearly $6 million annually, with the majority of that income going directly to vendors themselves. And how does the Portland Farmers Market continue to operate each year? It relies upon its customers, first. PFM raises money to fund its operations through weekly stall-based vendor fees, which vendors are willing to pay because of the dedication to our market from customers throughout the metro area. Also, the market funds its operations by holding an annual fundraising auction and dinner, as well as through the generosity of corporate sponsors. Working together with the community, PFM will flourish into the future... and continue to bring the best of the country to the heart of the city.