Spotlighting Local Businesses Around the Globe


Around the World in Portland, Oregon: Local Business Edition

Here’s a list of my favorite farmers market vendors and small businesses in Portland, Oregon, organized by country or region.

HAITI

Creole Me Up: A PSU, Beaverton, and Montavilla Farmers Market vendor and business dedicated to helping individuals overcome health challenges by offering flavorful, organic, and allergen-free plant-based products that honor founder Elsy Dinvil’s Haitian roots. Click here to learn more about Elsy and her business.

Better-Than-Hummus Creole Beet Spread.

HAWAII

Koa Roots: A wonderful company crafting delicious and sustainable Hawaii-meets-Pacific Northwest fruit and smoked brown butters. Check out this post to learn more about the amazing creators, Robert and Kristi, and the inspiring story behind Koa Roots.

Peachy Mama, Guava, Strawberry Guava Passionfruit, and Passionfruit Fruit Butters.

ITALY/MEXICO

Chio: A Latina-owned business offering better-for-you premium pistachio spreads. Click here to learn more about Mexican-Sicilian founder Anaia Castaneda and the story behind Chio.

Premium Pistachio Butter, Pistachio Honey Tahini, and Pistachio Cream Spread (with Coconut).

JAPAN

Mio’s Delectables: A beloved PSU Farmers Market vendor offering an extensive menu that blends the refined simplicity of Japanese desserts with traditional French pastry techniques, all while highlighting Portland’s local produce. Although the selection by creator Mio Asaka varies week to week, you’ll always find a wide array of tarts, tartlets, cookies, cakes, and seasonal spins on classics like Mont Blanc and tiramisu. Click here to discover more of Mio’s exquisite creations.

From left to right: Oregon Chestnut Chocolate Swiss Roll Cake with Pistachio White Chocolate Ganache Cream, Candied Chestnut, and Cranberry Confiture; Chestnut Chocolate Mille Crêpe Cake with Chestnut Crème Diplomate and Candied Chestnut; and Chestnut Crumble Tart with Candied Chestnut, Pinot Noir Confiture, and Frangipane.

JORDAN

Moony’s Sweets: A Portland Saturday Market vendor and family business offering beautiful American, European, and Arabic sweets and treats. Check out this interview from Bold Journey Magazine to learn more about Muna Mohammad, the mother of four and baker behind the business.

Rose Cheesecake (front left) and Pistachio Berry Honey Cake (back right).

MEXICO

Three Sisters Nixtamal: Three Sisters Nixtamal: A PSU Farmers Market vendor offering gluten-free, GMO-free organic masa (dough) and tortillas made with fresh nixtamal—the product of a traditional cooking method that involves heating whole dry corn kernels in water with calcium hydroxide. Click here to learn more about the founders: Mexico City native Adriana Azcárate-Ferbel, her husband Pedro, and their friend Wendy Downing.

Sopes made with fresh masa.

TIBET

Amza Superfoods: A Portland-based business dedicated to promoting Tibet’s healthy eating traditions and empowering underserved Tibetan women. Click here to read my blog post about Jolma, the wonderful UX design consultant turned entrepreneur behind the business.

From left to right, in clockwise order: Tsampa (roasted barley flour) Truffles with Dark Chocolate, Flaxseed Spread with Chili & Turmeric, Tibetan Tsampa Balls with Oregon Hazelnuts, and Flaxseed Butter with Dates.

BONUS BIPOC BUSINESS PICK

Black Girl Veggies: A Black-owned, plant-based hot food vendor and caterer serving up delightful dishes like vegan fried chicken made with oyster mushrooms at the King, Shemanski Park, and PSU Farmers Markets. Click here to learn more about creator Shonnett O’Neal and her story.

Soul Bowl with collard greens, black-eyed peas, mac and ‘cheese,’ sweet potatoes, purple potatoes, and vegan & gluten-free fried chicken.

Response

  1. Jolma Avatar
    Jolma

    Love your post, Hannah!
    Thank you for fearing Amza Superfoods in your local guide – Around the Globe in Portland, Oregon.

    Like

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