PORTLAND, Oregon — It’s another rite of spring many of us look forward to: being able to walk to our neighborhood farmers market to get fresh local produce and support local artisans.
The primary market on the campus of Portland State University, a year-round venue, was able to remain open as an essential business, quickly adapting the safety recommendations from the state. That is a success in and of itself.
Now, the four other neighborhood markets run by the Portland Farmers Market are set to reopen, on schedule.
The goal remains the same, says executive director Trudy Toliver.
"Our mission is to make sure that our farmers and our food artisans have an opportunity to sell direct to consumers to help their businesses thrive,” she said.
But the experience this year will be a little different. Most notably, shoppers will see the sort of one-in, one-out policy that's become common at many area grocery stores.
“First of all, it's important they send just one person from their household. And that way we allow more households to be able to be in the market at any one time because we are limiting the number of people who can enter the market, similar to going to another grocery or shopping experience," Toliver said.
This process has already been in use at the PSU Farmers Market since mid-March, as Oregon declared its stay-at-home order. You'll see lots of hand sanitizer, hand-washing stations, and six-feet markers all over. All that added space might make for a more customized shopper experience.
“When I was in the market buying salsa the other day, I selected which salsa I wanted and the woman reached into the cooler, she lifted the container of salsa and wiped off the entire container with a cleaning rag and then handed it to me," Toliver said. "So, I think it's the kind of service that the vendors, that individual, small businesses and farmers are really happy to be providing to their loyal customers and it's a quality that you just really can't get anywhere else."
And look for some fresh faces among all the fresh local produce coming in. There will be about 15 new vendors this year.
Chris McGinness is a meteorologist and transportation reporter for KGW. Got a story idea or a great photo you want to share? Email him at cmcginness@kgw.com or reach out on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram.