~Rebecca Robinson, photo by Jason E. Kaplan     (Interstate Farmers Market pictured here)
After 18 months of preparation, and no small amount of neighborhood anticipation, the opening day of the St. Johns Farmers Market is finally just around the corner — July 11, to be exact. According to Kirsten Gunst, the secretary for SJFM’s board of directors, it’s been a team effort through and through.

“Everyone in St. Johns seems to be offering something!” said Gunst. “Burgerville is allowing our customers to use their restrooms, POD has donated a portable storage unit, U.S. Bank is donating a portion of their parking lot, and a number of other local businesses have made monetary and nonmonetary donations,” from signage to website design.
 

What makes the SJFM committee’s efforts all the more impressive is that they are a completely grassroots effort not affiliated with the Portland Farmers Market nonprofit, which has five weekly farmers markets under its jurisdiction. Instead, SJFM incorporated as a 501(c)3 under the umbrella of North Portland Community Works, allowing it to receive grants and donations — to the tune of $14,000 and $6,000, respectively — which are funding its first season.

Tom Griffin-Valade, the director of North Portland Neighborhood Services, has worked with the SJFM committee since its inception, and has consistently been impressed with its level of organization and enthusiasm.

“I’ve never seen a project of any kind that’s had the sort of enthusiasm this committee has,” said Griffin-Valade.

Gunst and others involved with getting SJFM off the ground looked to Griffin-Valade for technical assistance and to organizers of the Interstate and Lents farmers markets for advice and examples of how to promote and run a successful market.

“Interstate was helpful in letting us come to their meetings and ask a lot of questions,” said Gunst, as well as providing SJFM with a template for bylaws, vendor applications, and other nuts-and-bolts elements.

Christine Quigley, an Interstate Farmers Market Board member, said she and others involved with the successful five-year-old market “had a number of opportunities to share experiences and resources ... with St. Johns Farmers Market Manager Lisa Bersani.” Quigley added that Bersani “took advantage of all that could be offered, meeting with numerous people” involved with IFM.

As of June 23, SJFM had 20 vendors and farmers signed up to sell their wares on opening day. Gunst said that there is a waiting list, “which is filling up quickly.” Vendors include Red Truck Farm, Sweet Pea Treats, Baird Family Orchards, and St. Johns Coffee Roasters.

Additionally, there will be no shortage of live entertainment in and around the plaza. The Roosevelt High School band will be making an appearance this summer, as will a host of local musicians, poets, and food demonstrators.

Some have questioned whether St. Johns has enough income, interest and drawing power to sustain a farmers market. Gunst firmly believes that it does.

“At the 2008 St. Johns Parade we passed out surveys and 100 percent of the respondents said they wanted a market in St. Johns,” said Gunst. “The support we have received from local businesses and organizations is also quite amazing.

“St. Johns has seen a lot of positive community changes in the last few years, and people are really eager to grow that community vibe and invigorate the downtown area,” Gunst added.
Griffin-Valade noted that while other area farmers markets are driven by the budget and expertise of Portland Farmers Market, the SJFM “is driven by the community. St. Johns built this thing from scratch, they own it, and for that reason they probably won’t let it go away.”
Gunst hopes to see residents from St. Johns, Linnton, and Sauvie Island flocking to the market, “as well as people who don’t usually go to farmers markets.”

“We want St. Johns to thrive,” Gunst added.  “We hope to attract a diverse audience to our market and encourage community interaction.”

St Johns Farmer's Market, every Saturday in the St Johns Plaza starting July 11th, July 11th-September 26th 9am-1pm. www.stjohnsfarmersmarket.org 

www.sjfarmersmarket.com