Hello! We are so excited to be launching a farmers market at the Q Center for 2019. It is a collaboration between the Q Center, Side Yard Farm, and other community members. This market is geared toward small and emerging businesses owned/operated by LGBTQ2SIA+ folks, with a focus on economic uplift of our marginalized communities.
Priority deadline to apply to is March 18. Rolling applications accepted after that.
Our Commitment
In line with the Q Center's mission, we aim to provide a safe space, community building and empowerment for the positive transformation of LGBTQ2SIA+ communities and allies in the Pacific Northwest. For the farmers market, this means working for the overall success of the market and its ability to contribute to the economic and social well-being of the vendors and community at large. It will intentionally rely on committed community members to shape what it will become, drawing on best practices from other markets, while applying a framework of intersectional social justice.
Below you will find some basic information to help in your decision to apply. We are certain there will be a few things we've missed, so if there are any questions, please contact
farmers@pdxqcenter.org. There is also space at the end of the application to include any miscellaneous info you think we should have. If you are not a vendor, but a community group or business looking to be involved, please email
farmers@pdxqcenter.org directly. Thank you!
Q Farmers Market
Thursdays, 3-7pm, June-September, set up starts at 1.
Roughly 15 vendors/week
Weekly Booth fees
Farmer- $30
All other non-ready-to-eat businesses- $35
Hot Food/ready-to-eat- $35 or 8%, whichever is higher
Attendance
Because the space is so small we ask for at least 48 hrs notice if you will miss a market, so that we can invite someone else to join for the week. We rely on stall fees to help pay the cost of permitting, marketing, staff time, etc, so if you no-show to a market, we will still ask you to pay your stall fee. Of course, emergencies come up, and as long as it is a once or twice in a season thing, we can make exceptions. We just ask for honesty and reliability and we will try to do the same in return! In case of extreme weather (very high winds/lightning, over 100 degrees, etc) we will make a decision to close the market if enough vendors decide that is what is best, but generally, we will stay open as long as it is safe so that our customers come to trust us (ie: we wont close because of rain or hot weather, as long as enough vendors want to be there and it feels safe to be open.)
Vendor Selection
Q Center is located in an ideal location--on the corner of Mississippi and Mason--in a neighborhood with a vibrant shopping district and lots of foot traffic. That being said, space is limited. We hope to fit everyone who applies but that may not be the case, or we may have to get a bit creative. Our market aims to center the economic uplift of marginalized communities and as such will prioritize vendors who identify as LGBTQ2SIA+, POC, youth, elders and people with disabilities. With that in mind, here are some things to think about:
- It is generally for locally harvested food and farm products, or kitchen/household goods. We will select 1 fresh produce vendor for every 3 with prepared foods or goods.
- We want folks to be safe, which includes having products made following food safety procedures.
- We want to include as many folks as possible while keeping everyone successful (however they define that.) This may mean limiting vendors with similar products or asking them to alternate weeks. We will try to avoid this as we can, but may have to get creative.
Other Info
You will need to provide your own table/booth displays and canopy tent. There will (generally) not be access to electricity for your booth, though there is water. If you are open to sharing a canopy and do not have your own, we may be able to pair you with someone who has one or help you find one.
