Moreland Farmers Market: Manager’s ‘goodbye’ after 13 seasons

Published 12:00 am Sunday, November 24, 2024

The recently-renamed Sellwood-Moreland Farmers Market – still held in the Westmoreland Business District on Saturdays – ended its 2024 season on October 19th in its latest location as a market. It will reopen in mid-May next year every Saturday midday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“It was a fabulous season, with lots and lots of farmers at the market, which is really exciting,” outgoing Market Manager Lannie Kali told THE BEE with a lilt in her voice. “Adding to the experience, we had a lot of great musical performers here, week after week!

“Of course, what makes our market really ‘work’ is the shoppers who come – we have from 1,600 and 2,200 on the largest days – to patronize our vendors every week,” pointed out Kali.

A new business incubator

Adding to the vitality of the SMFM are the brand new entrepreneurs, starting a new business, who come to sell their wares, Kali observed. “We host a lot of start-up businesses; the market allows them to ‘test market’ their product ideas; and then, step up to become bigger businesses.

“In addition to our vendors and shoppers, I’m grateful to our rotating band of a dozen volunteers who set up, take down, and run the market every week. And, the market continues because of the 11 people on our Board of Directors, who work every month to make this happen – all year around!

“The success of this true community effort is also due to Wells Fargo Bank being really generous about the use of their parking lot, for which we’re very grateful.” The market now operates on S.E. Claybourne Street in Westmoreland, adjacent to that parking lot between Milwaukie Avenue and 17th.

Manager moving on

Wrapping up our conversation, Kali confided that this was her last day with the Sellwood Moreland Farmers Market.

“I’ve been here for 13 years; starting as an intern – becoming a volunteer, and spending part of the time as a vendor – and I’ve been the Market Manager for the last eight years,” she said. “Now, I’m moving on as the ‘Event and Marketing Manager’ of the ChefStable Group, in an effort to bring folks back and reactivate downtown Portland.”

Keep in touch with the market during the off season by visiting their website – http://www.sellwoodmorelandfarmersmarket.org