 Welcome back to our Farmers Market
The Cedar Mill Farmers Market, sponsored by Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District, opens for its 14th season on Saturday, May 12, just in time for Mother's Day. In 2012, shoppers will find an extra half-hour to find their favorite market treats, with the season's 8 am opening and the new closing time of 1:30 pm.
April showers bring more than May flowers, though Vanessa & Thao's bouquets are perhaps the loveliest result of all of spring's alternating rain and sun. Martinez Family Farm's crew brings beautiful early vegetables to start off the season, and luscious strawberries won't be far behind. Throughout the 25-week season, local farmers and growers proudly purvey nutritious fruits and vegetables, local organic meat, cut flowers, hanging baskets and other nursery plants. In addition, the market serves as a food court for local food entrepreneurs as well as an "outdoor gallery" for local artisans.
No-spray (organic-practices) produce offerings expand this season, and new also are beautiful ice-cream sandwich cookies (gluten-free!), more coffee selections, more beautiful baked goods, including gourmet scones and cupcakes (some vegan, gluten-free, and other specialties), new breakfast and lunch offerings, honey, beeswax items, unique craft/art items such as hand-cut papers and even henna body art. Want to receive updates on market vendors and events? Simply email cmfmarket@gmail.com (with e-news in the subject line) to register for the market's weekly newsletter featuring recipes for making delicious use of what's freshest in the market.
 Our easy shopping starts with free close-by parking for cars, bus service from Tri-Met lines 62 & 89, with Route 50 not far away (use Tri-Met's Trip Planner tool ride.trimet.org), and supervised bike parking (just ask at the Information booth). Neighbors looking for an outing for their dogs find they are welcome at here, with student & other volunteers providing pet-sitting at times when owners want to get right into the produce booths where dogs shouldn't go. Live music by local talent contributes to the wonderful atmosphere, while student volunteers add to the fun with their colorful facepainting ideas and rainbows of balloon creations.
 Regular debit cards will be accepted in 2012 in exchange for CMFM tokens at the market's Info Booth. Many market vendors accept food coupons from the State of Oregon's Farm Direct Nutrition Program (WIC and Senior) and the Info Booth exchanges market tokens for a swipe of customers' Oregon Trail EBT cards from the USDA's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Several farmers accept WIC Fruit & Veggie Vouchers as well.
The Portland area's "friendliest little market" will continue every Saturday from 8 am to 1:30 pm through the end of October in the Sunset Mall parking lot. Sunset Mall is just west of Murray, across NW Cornell Road from Sunset Park and Sunset High School. For more information about the Cedar Mill Farmers Market, visit cmfmarket.org. Volunteers are welcome, and those who are interested in being a part of the fun should email market manager Dina Gross at cmfmarket@gmail.com or call 503.913.7733.
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