History

It all started in 2005. A group of neighbors wanted to create a healthy, local food scene that was accessible to more people. A generous Westmoreland businessman provided seed money. Two more business owners donated the use of their small parking lot in the heart of the West Moreland neighborhood. An all-volunteer group worked all winter long, and in May of 2006, the Moreland Farmers Market (MFM) opened. It was immediately embraced by the neighborhood. The following year, the market needed more space. Wilhelm’s of Portland stepped forward and donated the use of their parking lot on SE 14th Street.

The market market moved to SE Claybourne between SE 17th and SE Milwaukie in 2022 and rebranded as the Sellwood Moreland Farmers Market (SMFM).

Our mission is to create a neighborhood space where local farmers can sell their fresh produce, cheese, meat, fish, honey, baked goods, prepared food, cut flowers and plant starts (in the spring), a space that is readily accessible to all.

Programs and Goals

SMFM provides several programs to help more people connect with healthy, local food.

• SMFM added an EBT machine in 2008. This allows Oregon Trail Card users (aka SNAP) to spend their benefits on fresh food at the market.

• Sponsored by support within the community and the Farmers Market Fund, SMFM will be offering a $20 SNAP match program. For every SNAP dollar spent (up to $20), the recipient gets another dollar to spend on fresh food at the market.

• A donation from Bob's Red Mill, along with help from other generous donors allowed us to offer a Senior Nutrition program that includes additional access & funds for fresh fruits & vegetables, as well as nutritious grains & recipes.

• SMFM hosts a Pie Bake and Fundraiser every year to support market events and assistance programs that keep the community engaged with all the vendors and farmers joining us every season.

• The main goal of the market is to connect food producers with the Sellwood Moreland community to keep our local businesses and food system strong and thriving!

Volunteers

We wouldn’t have a neighborhood farmers market without volunteers. Volunteers staff the SMFM Welcome Booth. They help set up and take down the market; organize events like cooking demos, music and activities for kids; and promote the market by placing ads, managing the web site, and putting up posters. To find out more about volunteering, see our Become A Volunteer page.

Board Members

The Sellwood Moreland Farmers Market has an all-volunteer board. The current Board of Directors includes:

• Michelle Rork - President

• Laura Jacoby - Secretary

• Jenn Lott - Treasurer

• Kristin Kaufman

• John Estrem

• Andrew Sorensen

Market Manager(s)

Lannie Kali, has been a part of our market in many ways over the years. Volunteer, Intern, Vendor, and served the market for 10 years as Market Manager! 

She was a founding member of the Lents Food Group, which led to the Lents Farmers Market. In 2011 she was named one of Portland’s "Top 10 in the Food Movement" by National Jewish Food Movement Tuv Ha'Aretz.

Though she no longer manages the Farmers Market as of 2025, she continues to frequent the market as a valued patron and volunteer.

Kendle McDowell took over the role of Market Manager in February of 2025 and will continue to manage the market for the 2026 season.

Kendle’s passion for local food, farming, and sustainability led her to complete a Farm Apprenticeship with Oregon Farm Corp in 2023 during which she worked for Glasrai Farm and Bridgetown Mushrooms. In addition to managing the market, she is a farmhand at Full Plate Farm in Ridgefield, Washington, volunteers at the Green Thumb Community Orchard, and tends to her own garden and small backyard flock in her spare time.