Commitment to Sustainability

Stone fruits from Backyard Bounty Farm

We take a holistic approach to sustainability, and we are committed to this approach in everything we do. We believe that the practice of sustainability not only helps the environment and the community, but it leads to the best tasting foods around.

We aim to select vendors who produce organic, locally grown foods as well as sustainable products made from corn or recycled materials. We also aim to support family-owned farms that are close to the Portland area.

We have a RecycleWorks Award, we participate in the Portland Composts! program, and we donate leftover food from events to area shelters as well as Metro’s Fork It Over food donation program.

In addition, we were the first vendor at the Montavilla Farmer’s Market to use durable dishes even before the Durable Dish Project was started.

Lastly, we offer a wide range of vegetarian and vegan options to reduce the impact of animals on our environment, and we have joined the Campaign to Eliminate the Sale of Bottled Water and signed the pledge by Food and Water Watch called “Take Back the Tap.”

Vendor Spotlight: Backyard Bounty Farm

Melanie from Backyard Bounty Farm

Backyard Bounty, run by Melanie Plies, has its roots in turning lawns into food. In her third year, 2009, she will be increasing scale and decreasing number of backyard lots as the operation moves from farming 20 plots to one large backyard at Lovena Farm.

Lovena Farm is carved by Johnson Creek in Milwaukie, just 7 miles from downtown Portland (see map here). Upon entering the property, the sounds of the car traffic and neighboring industry fades to the bubbling of the creek and clucking of the chickens.

The cottonwood, maple, birches and aspen surrounding the farm hold the land as a sanctuary. Native plants line the creek and berry bushes and fruit trees are scattered throughout the land.

Melanie and Backyard Bounty supplied us with some wonderful stone fruits throughout our wedding season this summer, including the fruits seen in the photo above. Thank you Melanie!