Rebecca Aldrich, Shawn Faulkner, and Terry Faulkner at NatureworksTN booth at Portland Farmers Market. The farm is located in the Oak Grove community of Bethpage. BONNIE FUSSELL 
Portland Farmers Market Director Hannah Ladd (r) stands with Rebecca Flynn (L) and Jessica Crafton (Middle) at her Little White House Apothecary booth at the Portland Farmers Market. BONNIE FUSSELL 
A large crowd shopped at the last Portland’s Farmers Market of the season on August 30. BONNIE FUSSELL 
Family Traditions Farm owner David Ragland greets Linda Hammonds as she shops for tomatoes and squash at the Portland Farmers Market on the last day of the season for the market. BONNIE FUSSELL
The Portland Farmers Market was described as successful this summer at its new location, according to several of the vendors. The market opened on May 11 at its new location in Richland Park and ended on Aug. 30. Hannah Ladd was the new director.
This year featured several new vendors, as well as many returning vendors. Family Tradition Farms and Wade Farmz returned to sell produce in season. NatureworksTn set up again with their breads, rolls, produce, dog cookies, plants, herbs and pet grass. Other vendors sold items such as plants, popcorn, coffee, and frozen ice. Each week featured a food truck.
Terry Faulkner with NatureworksTN said, “We have had a very good year. We’ve seen a lot of new faces at this location. Our big sellers are the banana bread, doggie cookies, honey, okra, cherry tomatoes and plants.”
Shawn Faulkner, also with NatureworksTN, agreed that it had been a very good market for them. He sponsored the first Bee Day this year which promoted pollinators and described it as a success.
David Ragland with Family Tradition Farms agreed that they had a good year with as many customers as before. He added that traditionally everything slows down toward the end of the season in Portland and at other markets. His wife, Lisa, said that places like Hendersonville usually have more people shopping, but she credits that to the fact that there are so many houses with small yards, while in Portland many houses have large yards where gardens can be grown.
“We have had good foot traffic. We’ve had some slow days, but we’ve had some new customers that have never been before. It’s easier to be over here,” Ladd said. “We have a lot of parking. It’s not quite as hot because it is not in the middle of traffic. We have picnic tables and room to spread out. I think it was a good season.”
