February 23, 2010

Farm to School Workshop Coming to La Grande - 3/5/10

Oregon Rural Action is organizing a free workshop on increasing the consumption of and education on locally produced agricultural goods in Union County schools. Producers of local foods, school administrators, food service personnel, teachers and, of course, involved parents or community members that want to help with the success of the first Farm to School program east of Bend are welcome to attend.

For more information and to RSVP see oregonrural.org/events/farm-to-school-workshop.

February 16, 2010

We're Hiring!

Market Manager - Seasonal position, March thru October, from 10-20 hours per week depending on market needs. Annual reimbursement, $10,000. For more information see Market Manager Scope of Work.doc. Submit resume and cover letter to reach the Pendleton Farmers Market no later than 5 pm, Monday, March 8. to:
Pendleton Farmers Market
P.O. Box 747
Pendleton, OR 97801

February 10, 2010

Annual Meeting Notes

Our 8th Annual Meeting for members and prospective volunteers was held last week. We reflected on the successes of the past year (we had about 2500 shoppers in the busiest time of the season!) and prepared for the challenges of the next (dates for the 2010 season are May 7-Oct 15th, with an option if the weather is good, and vendors have produce to extend it one week longer in October). Please see the meeting notes for a summary of the discussion and election of new board members.

January 23, 2010

Let the Market Season Begin!

Announcing our 8th Annual Meeting!
Members, Vendors and Community Organizations & Individuals are Invited
1:00 pm, Saturday, February 6, 2010
City Hall Community Room
500 Emigrant Ave
Pendleton, OR

On the Agenda:

• We will close our 2009 season with appreciation and the annual report, vote for new directors, learn of market changes and needs, and begin planning our 2010 season.
• All members, new and previous, and prospective volunteers or committee members are invited.
• A light healthy snack will be provided, as well as the good people of market sensibilities to visit with.

The PFM Board consists of 7-11 directors who represent market stakeholders and bring skills and passion to the organization. This year we hope to nominate 6 new directors for members to vote on. Applications can be found on our website and must be submitted by Feb. 1.

Four committees provide additional support to the board and market, including Finance & Development, Marketing & Promotions, Education & Outreach, and Market Operations. We welcome new members and volunteers to these committees. Contact us:

pendletonfarmersmarket@gmail.com
541-969-9466
www.pendletonfarmersmarket.net

We are excited, as usual, for the upcoming season— Our goals include greater internal structure and capacity-building, increased marketing, and expanded partnerships and alliances in the community. Vendors are advised that Market Guidelines will be available in March to allow new directors and manager to incorporate recommendations received at this meeting. We are recruiting for our 2010 manager and welcome your referrals. Visit out website for information about these and other upcoming market activities. We are also pleased to inform you that Umatilla County now has 4 farmers’ markets — Pendleton, Hermiston, Pilot Rock and Umatilla. We urge everyone to visit them and contribute to their growth and success. Together we increase healthy food choices, grower and artisan opportunities and the well-being of our communities.

Let the season begin……!

October 24, 2009

See you in May!

The 2009 Farmer's Market season has come to a close. Thanks to all who participated in making this year's market a success! The 2010 Farmer's Market season begins in mid-May. Stay tuned for updates.

If you have comments or suggestions about the market, or would like to be part of the amazing group of volunteers that make the Pendleton Farmer's Market happen, contact us at pendletonfarmersmarket@gmail.com. We need your help!

October 10, 2009

This Week at the Market - Friday 10/16

This Friday will be our last market of the season. Come stock up on winter supplies! Stop by our booth to buy raffle tickets to win some locally produced crafts and support the market. We'll announce raffle winners at 6pm.

September 28, 2009

This Week at the Market - Friday 10/2

This week the Pendleton Farmers' Market will bring bounty and festivities to Main Street for our 4th annual Harvest Fest.

This time of year farmers bring in the best and most abundant produce – everything from from apples to yams, berries to broccoli, peppers, pears and pumpkins; it's time to celebrate and appreciate the hard work and beautiful food from the fields all over our region.

Come stock up for the coming winter months - whether canned, frozen or cellared “it's like putting by a little summer – as well as food security and health for your family”. Information on produce storage and preservation will be available at the Market Kitchen.

There will be Harvest Fest activities for the whole family – music by LaGrande marimba band, Kupenga, pumpkin art, bobbing for apples, as well as the reading and making of “Stone Soup”. Activities begin at 4:30 p.m. The Market itself will make and sample “Stone Soup” (aka Harvest Soup) between 5 and 7 pm at the “Market Kitchen” (developed through a generous grant from the Wildhorse Foundation).

September 25, 2009

This Week at the Market

Join us for Wheat Celebration Day!   PGG, the Oregon Wheat Growers League and others will show off our most local grain. Food demonstration and samples will be provided by OWGL, Sharon's Sweet Treats, Wheatspring Bakery, and NW Country.

Brad Rozema & BC Martin will be providing the soundtrack to this festival.

See you there!

September 16, 2009

This Week at the Market

No Farmers Market this week (9/18) due to Round-Up.

The Market will return on 9/25 for Wheat Celebration Day, featuring PGG, the Oregon Wheat Growers League, and others.

Friday 10/2 is our Harvest Festival! We're planning a fun event with a marimba band, children's activities, food samplings and more!

September 3, 2009

This Week at the Market

Join us for Salsa Fest 2009! From 5-7pm traditional and unusual salsa will be available for sampling at the Farmer's Market food sampling stand in the middle of the 300 block of Main Street. Recipes will be provided.

This month, farmers will be selling broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, salad greens, rhubarb, and honey in addition to farmer's market staples.

August 27, 2009

This Week at the Market

Stop by the Farmer's Market food sampling stand for "Everything Zucchini" hosted by volunteers from WIC.

Click here to see what agricultural produce will be available this month.

August 12, 2009

Height of Summer, the Heat is On…

In oh, so many ways! Half-way through our season and there’s a lot to report on! The new location of the 300 block on Main Street has been a learning curve for all of us. We hope you like the change and that customers will take advantage of the increased quantities and quality of products you all have to offer! Please take a moment to take our survey to let us know what you think about this year’s efforts.

We are very pleased with your support and efforts to keep this market operating smoothly with all our changes and “true to form” – upholding our mission of “make it-bake it- sell it” motto of self-produced goods and services, while being the “friendliest market in the east” (Oregon that is). Our management “staff” and volunteers have been working very hard to make the shift possible and seamless. Help us help you!

Speaking of management, as you might have noticed we have been “tweaking” our system and our contracted labor roles over the season. We have recently streamlined our process again, as our Site Manager, Michael Sheasly, left to pursue other work. Barbara McCane will continue acting as Market Coordinator, handling all your calls, emails and registration/membership needs. She also handles community and volunteer relations, and is on the Outreach & Education committee – BUSY WOMAN! Long-time volunteer, Daniel Terry will expand his role now to the paid Market Assistant position, providing site management and food sampling and special project support. Please feel free to share your ideas and needs with them. Our new email is pendletonfarmersmarket@gmail.com; and the phone remains the same – 541-969-9466. Please call ahead!

Other changes include several new board members, for a total of nine directors (plus new board member babies!) - look for them at our info booth, the music corner, the food cart, ETC. See following section.

Market Activities- Behind the Scene

This year we’ve had a number of new relationships and benefits come our way:

• The PFM Food Cart, a mobile kitchen from Wildhorse Foundation funds. Food demonstrations are the 1st and 4th Fridays of each month, from 5-7 pm. We welcome your participation - if you have a special product or crop to promote – let us know - we can sample it for you!
• To market, to market! – PFM paired with RSVP, a local agency to develop BUS runs from 6 apartment complexes twice each Friday.
• The East Oregonian will have a table at market, in exchange for greater marketing and promotions. Could be a chance to self-promote… We are pleased to welcome our “home-grown” newspaper to PFM!
• Market Gleaning – Are you interested in donating produce at the end of the market day? If you want to share the bounty with local food pantries, or save transport headaches, let us know if you’re interested (check the box on our survey).
• The Oregon Trail Food Stamp (now SNAP program) is expanding by leaps and bounds! We’ve exceeded last year’s totals and other new incentive programs are also happening.
• Food Safety at Farmers’ Markets – Though uncertainty abounds, we’ll be doing our part to make sure we and you are above-board and on target to exceed standards of food health, safety and quality. Please do your part with proper sanitation, storage and hand-cleaning.
• Market entertainment – we have been moderately successful in providing musicians or entertainment, but are still uncertain about the best location and type. Your ideas welcome!
• Volunteers - make the world go round! We appreciate our set-up crew so much, and that includes not only community, but vendors. If you’d like to help out please let us know - it makes the market run smoother for you and all.

Your 2009 Farmers Market Board of Directors

If we haven’t already done so, shame on us – but we are pleased to introduce our 9 new or returning members on the Board of Directors this year (with room for 2 more, hint-hint). We are so blessed to have a group of people with so many talents and varied interests. As you know, the Market is run entirely by unpaid volunteers who donate huge amounts of time, talent and energy to serve both the needs of our vendors and patrons to make the Market a success.

This year’s Directors include —

   Charles Denight — PFM Treasurer; Marketing Database Manager with Wildhorse Resort & Casino

   Mary Anne McCune — PFM Secretary; Director, WIC/Head Start Program

   Smita Mehta – PFM Vice President; research specialist and local food advocate

   Karen Wagner – PFM President; CAPECO community food resource developer and state-wide farmers’ market association (OFMA) president

   Ruth Crafton – Vendor Rep, Hermiston 25-year FM producer

   John Finley — Vendor Rep., Local Hermiston farmer (running the region’s first CSA – ask him about it)

   Stephen Machado — Ag. Research Station crop scientist and small farms advocate and gardener

   Tami Sasser — Director, Umatilla Basin Watershed Council

   Gus Wahner — Vendor Rep, Stanfield bio-dynamic farmer

The Board members serve staggered two-year terms. Next year’s nomination and election process starts in January 2010. Let us know if you or another is interested.

Feel free to stop by the PFM booth to introduce yourself, give us your thoughts during the season!

Click here for a full list of fruits and vegetables available by month during the season.

Care to send us a comment or suggestion to help us improve the Market? Click here to send us an email with your suggestions or comments. We appreciate your input — thank you!