Get Involved

Help Bring the James Beard Public Market to Life

A Transformative Opportunity for Oregon’s Economy

The James Beard Public Market represents an exciting opportunity for Oregon to transform its food economy, bolster our small business community, and drive growth for all. Public markets are proven economic drivers that not only provide access to fresh, locally sourced goods, but also foster and sustain small businesses, create jobs, and stimulate economic activity. Now, more than ever, we need this market in Oregon.

Now is the moment to bring fresh energy and prosperity to the heart of Portland, through support of statewide artisans and food producers, and to make Oregon a model for sustainable economic development. We need your help today to make the market a reality! See below for ways you can help at the statewide and city level.

STATE ADVOCACY:

Help Us Bring a Public Market to Oregon! We are urging you to join us in asking for $10 million in funding from the state’s Lottery Bond dollars to make the James Beard Public Market a reality. The economic and social benefits of a public market like this one would be felt throughout the state, and we can’t afford to miss this opportunity.

Here’s How You Can Help

1.

Email Your Legislators Today:

Send an email to your legislators urging them to support the request for $10 million in funding from the state's Lottery Bond dollars. Public markets have a proven track record of revitalizing communities, especially in areas that need economic renewal. The James Beard Public Market has the potential to shift Oregon from a "doom loop" to a "bloom loop"—where we move from struggling economies to thriving, sustainable ones. It’s an investment in the future of our state.

SAMPLE MESSAGE

Dear [Legislator's Name], I am writing to express my strong support for the James Beard Public Market request for $10 million in funding from the state's Lottery Bond dollars. Public markets have been proven to drive local economies, foster and sustain the small businesses that make Oregon so special, and encourage overall community growth. This market will be a key catalyst for economic prosperity in Oregon. Please consider prioritizing this important project in this year’s budget.

Click here to look up email addresses for your legislators. Please also write to the Capitol Construction Joint Committee members (emails below) and Cc' info@jamesbeardmarket.com so we can track how many messages are submitted:

2.

Testify in Support of the $10 million funding request:

Passionate about community efforts to revitalize Oregon’s economy? Your presence at one of the upcoming Ways and Means Committee hearings could be the catalyst we need to move this forward. Testifying in support of our request for funding from the state’s Lottery Bond dollars will show our legislators just how important this market is to you and all Oregonians.

The full schedule of hearings is here, with links to sign up for each hearing:

  • Friday, March 28 (5-7 pm) – Astoria

  • Friday, April 4 (5-7pm) – Warm Springs

  • Friday, April 11 (5-7pm) – La Grande

  • Wednesday, April 16 (5-7pm) – Salem (hybrid)

  • Friday, April 25 (5-7pm) – Klamath Falls

  • If you’re interested in attending or submitting written testimony, we are here to help! Let us know if you want to participate by contacting info@jamesbeardmarket.com

3.

Prepare for Written Testimony:

We expect this year’s hearing on the Lottery Bond bill to take place in early May. Between now and then, please send emails to your legislators, urging them to support our request for $10 million in funding from the state’s Lottery Bond dollars. Once the hearing is scheduled, we will help guide you in converting your emails into written testimony for further submission.

CITY ADVOCACY:

Ask Portland City Council to Make a Local Public Investment in the Market In addition to advocating at the state level, it’s important to get involved at the local level with the City of Portland's budget process, especially as it relates to supporting projects like the James Beard Public Market. The City Budget process is a key opportunity to push for local funding and demonstrate the need for public markets like the James Beard Public Market to thrive.

1.

Testify on Portland's upcoming budget at a listening session or through the budget comment form:

The City holds budget listening sessions where residents can provide input on the city’s budget priorities. This is your opportunity to make sure that public markets and local economic revitalization projects are prioritized for funding, by testifying in support of funding for projects like the James Beard Public Market.

By testifying, you can directly influence the City’s budget decisions and advocate for allocating resources toward the creation of the public market. Specifically, we are asking for $1.5 million in City of Portland support, to combine with Prosper Portland investments for an overall $5 million local investment into the James Beard Public Market.

Testimony Opportunities:

  • Tuesday, April 1 (6-8pm) — District 4 (NW/SW Portland) Listening Session
    Portland Building, Room 108, 1120 SW Fifth Ave, Portland, OR 97204

  • Thursday, April 3 (6-8pm) — District 2 (N/NE Portland) Listening Session;
    Portland Community College Cascade Moriarty Auditorium, 5514-5518 N Albina Ave, Portland, OR 97217

  • Submit written testimony through the City's budget comment form. The Portland City Budget process is an ongoing conversation. Keep track of upcoming meetings, hearings, and opportunities to submit testimony through the City’s official budget page.

Thank you for your continued support

Your involvement at both the state and local levels is crucial to bringing the James Beard Public Market to life—thank you! Together, we can push for the funding and community support needed to make our vision for a healthier and economically stronger Oregon a reality.