On opening day at the popular Westmoreland farmers market, Balloon Man made balloon sculptures for kids.

The shoppers at the Wednesday, May 4th, opening of the nonprofit Moreland Farmers Market in Westmoreland — at S.E. Bybee at 14th, across from Wilhelm’s Portland Memorial — were clearly looking forward to resuming their familiar Wednesday afternoon routine. And, this year, they had more to choose from than ever.

Nearly 70 vendors have signed up for the season, although only about three dozen will set up in a given week, according to Market Manager Lannie Kali. “This year we’re opening an hour earlier — you can shop from 2 until 7 p.m.,” she smiled. “We’re also promoting more hunger-reduction programs, since data shows that nearly 22% of the money spent here comes from low-income families.”

Many new vendors this season feature unique organic products. Ahara Rasa offers free samples of “ghee” (extra-clarified butter), along with popcorn. Mud Dog Farms presented mostly heirloom products, including lavender buds, purple cauliflower, and fresh quail eggs, along with cooking suggestions. The folks at Kichana spread out a variety of Peruvian Fusion Cuisine items in a colorful array.

There has appeared a “Vendors on the Grass” section to increase vendor space. “We’re a great incubator for small businesses,” remarked Kali. Tommy Noyes, Music Coordinator for the Market, advised, “For the next few weeks, we’ll be having all local school talent playing here; all of them kids under age 14.”

A balloon artist in the plaza on opening day sculpted designs for eager youngsters. Nearby, Donna Maleki, Community Outreach Coordinator for Green Drop Garage, which recently opened in the Reed Neighborhood, explained the company’s own hunger relief plan. “We’re working on a ‘food buyback’ program, to donate vendor remainders at this market to charity, so there will be less waste,” she said.

A Board member of the Moreland Farmers Market, Casie Dunning, revealed, “This year we’re focusing on three critical hunger-relief programs to help our community. We hope to encourage sponsors for Double-Up Food Bucks, The Kids’ Power of Produce Program (POPs), and the Senior Nutrition Program.

“These programs educate shoppers about the benefits of fresh produce in their diets, and offer matching tokens for $10, $2 and $5 respectively to use at the Market. If a BEE reader would like to help sponsor any of these programs, please call 503/341-9350, or send checks to P.O. Box 820122, Portland, 97282.”

At the Schoolyard Farms tent, kids were invited to sign up for summer camps focused on healthy nutrition. Manager Annika La Fave explained, “The Kids’ Power of Produce Program is a nationally-recognized program that guides students through the steps of seed identification, gardening, food selection, and cooking.

“We set up small produce farms on school lots (like the one at Candy Lane Elementary in Milwaukie), and teach kids about healthy eating.” Dania Kali, age 7, attended last summer, and plans to go again this year. Her Mom explained, “She was really invested in the program. She said she felt like she was the beanstalks’ Mom.”

For more information on the Moreland Farmers Market, now weekly on Wednesday afternoons till October, go online: http://www.morelandfarmersmarket.org .