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Communications Fellow
Andres Yancy holds a basket, one of many handmade by Indigenous tribes and artisans in Colombia. Photo by Tony Sterling
Come Thru Market in Portland, OR is a marketplace and incubator for Black and Indigenous farmers, makers, and entrepreneurs. Operating on first and third Mondays (3-7pm) from May to October, the market typically features around 30 local businesses that offer everything from fresh produce to handmade crafts.
Located at The Redd on Salmon Street through a sponsorship from Ecotrust, the market has a lively atmosphere for community engagement and supporting BIPOC growers.
Below are a few highlights from vendors at Come Thru Market:
Vendor highlight
Can you describe your business?
Yancy Handmade was founded in 2018 in Portland, OR, with the purpose of supporting Indigenous artisan families from my country, Colombia. Our products, made 100% by hand, use natural fibers such as palms, cultivated directly in the regions where our artisans originate. We specialize in creating eco-friendly bags that fuse sustainability and fashion, offering unique pieces that honor artisanal traditions while responding to contemporary trends.
Could you share a moment when you felt a strong sense of achievement in your business?
A special moment of achievement in my business occurred in 2024, when one of our artisans, Hander, shared something with me that filled me with pride. Thanks to the products he was creating for Yancy Handmade, he was able to hire three artisans who previously worked in informal jobs, such as selling coffee on the streets. Now, they are part of his work team, and he expressed how grateful and happy they are with this new opportunity that has improved their quality of life. Knowing that our work not only promotes artisanal art, but also directly contributes to the well-being of several families, has been one of the most significant achievements for me.
Andres Yancy helps a customer. Photo by Tony Sterling
Roland Bello helps his husband with the business and is also a professional photographer. Photo by Tony Sterling
Vendor highlight
Can you describe your business?
We make Argentinian masa empanadas that are vegan and vegetarian. We have a food truck; we do farmer’s markets, catering, and events. Our food truck is located over on 3582 SE Powell Blvd.
What gave you the idea to start your business?
My husband is the main owner of the business; I mostly help him out. He is a dancer by profession, but when he was a kid growing up, he used to make empanadas with his mother all the time, and he inherited that art and skill. When COVID happened, dance performances stopped. He thought of this business as something to do during the epidemic. I’m a photographer, so I started helping him with the marketing side. We started selling them online. We eventually went to a food truck, then events, and that’s how we got here.
How has participating at Come Thru Market influenced your sense of community?
We are both Latino born and raised. Here, we are surrounded by so much diversity, which we love. And where we were living before this, there was none of that. So, it feels like we are with our people. I feel like that’s important. It is a great feeling. That’s the community that we feel very much a part of. My partner, Emanuel, really likes this market. It is really special.
Vendor highlight
What gave you the idea for your business?
I used to work at a call center. I have problems with my thyroid, and after radiation therapy I lost my voice for a while. I couldn’t work, so they fired me. That’s when I decided to start my own business.
Can you describe your business?
We are a family-owned business; it is me, my fiancée, and kids. We all pitch in and do everything: the baking, coming up with flavors for our cupcakes, and my husband does the chocolate dipped treats. We have a peanut butter and jelly cupcake my son wanted me to create, so we named it after him. And it is a big hit! And my daughter came up with a raspberry jam one! Our older kids are learning how to manage money and inventory, but they love to focus on decorating and baking.
Erika sells treats and cupcakes designed and made by her family. Photo by Tony Sterling
Lukas Angus holds a fresh-caught fish. Photo by Tony Sterling
Vendor highlight
Can you describe your business?
My business is 7 Waters Sovereign Foods, LLC. I’m a commercial fisherman. I have a farm and sell produce also. I do catering, hot food at events and farmers markets. I also do workshops that usually focus on food preservation, cooking, and handling fish.
What gave you the idea to start your business?
I was already fishing and selling fish as a tribal fisherman. Once the pandemic came, I leaned into it and put trust into my food as a provider for myself and my community. I’ve seen a lot of people do that. And I think it’s pretty cool that, when there was adversity, we focused on what was important in life, which is good food.
Come Thru Market was founded by shiny Flanary and is currently managed by Sonya Jindal. In addition to providing a marketplace, Come Thru Market also hosts training programs that help beginning farmers of color, especially immigrants and refugees, to establish themselves as farmers market vendors.
The last two markets of the year are on Oct 7 and Oct 21, from 3-7pm. As the market season comes to a close, please come through and enjoy this vibrant and vital market. The Redd on Salmon Street is located at 831 SE Salmon St., Portland, OR.
partner
A Market Centering Black and Indigenous Farmers and Makers
Open 1st and 3rd Mondays, May – October, 3-7pm.
