Portland Farmers Market today announced its decision to permanently close the Thursday Ecotrust Market at 721 NW 9th Avenue located in the parking lot of the Jean Vollum Natural Capital Center. While Portland Farmers Markets’ four other locations experienced increased traffic and sales over the years, the Thursday Ecotrust Market did not share the same rate of growth.

The market which first opened in 2003 through a partnership with non-profit Ecotrust had been open 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursdays from June to September.

“The Ecotrust Market was located in a vibrant, densely populated neighborhood, and yet it never seemed to reach its full potential,” said Ann Forsthoefel, executive director of Portland Farmers Market, a nonprofit 501(c)6 organization operated by a small staff of four full-time and four part-time employees and numerous volunteers. “We thank Ecotrust for their partnership, Food Front Coop for their sponsorship and, of course, the dedicated shoppers that supported our local farmers and food artisans every Thursday.”

Deborah Kane, vice president Ecotrust Food & Farms, said, “We have much respect and admiration for the Portland Farmers Market. While Ecotrust staff will no longer have the option of buying some of the region’s best products right outside our door, we’ll continue to support local agriculture through initiatives such as Edible Portland and FoodHub. And of course we’ll be among the first in line at all of the other Portland Farmers Market locations.”

THE MARKETS ARE UP

The closing of this location isn’t a reflection of the state of farmers’ markets nationally. As of October 2009, there were 5,274 farmers markets registered in the USDA Farmers Market Directory and over the last decade there has been a 170% increase in farmers’ markets opening nationwide.

The staff of Portland Farmers Market is currently evaluating other possible locations for a weekly market in Northwest Portland. The organization describes the ideal site as one that offers high visibility, community engagement and support from neighborhood and business associations.

The Thursday Ecotrust Market was sponsored by Food Front Cooperative Grocery. Portland Farmers Market is generously supported by community partners West Coast Bank and Mix.

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About Portland Farmers Market
Founded in 1992, Portland Farmers Market, a nonprofit 501(c)6, brings the best of the country to the heart of the city by supporting the region’s farmers and creating vibrant urban marketplaces where growers and consumers come together. This nonprofit’s staff of four full-time and four part-time employees aims to grow, nourish and inspire the community by staging weekly markets in four different locations throughout the Portland area from March until December. In addition to managing the markets, Portland Farmers Market has been an early leader in Portland’s sustainability movement and has served as an incubator for small businesses. With more than 250 vendors from Oregon and Washington – including farms, bakeries, nurseries, meat and seafood providers, cheese makers and specialty food producers – Portland Farmers Market is a true showplace of Northwest agriculture. www.portlandfarmersmarket.org