About James Beard Public Market
MAKING & HONORING HISTORY
Your Oregon Market
A hub for local foods, open daily
Located at SW 6th Ave and SW Alder Street, one block from Pioneer Courthouse Square, the James Beard Public Market will be a permanent public showcase for Oregon’s agricultural bounty, gathering independent food and beverage merchants under one roof.
Created by and for the community, the public market will serve all citizens, regardless of income level. Open daily, it will help bring energy and opportunity to Portland’s city center—a landmark venue for shopping, learning, and eating on Portland’s downtown waterfront.
The Inspiration
About our namesake
James Beard was born in Portland in 1903. A prolific cookbook author, food writer, chef, and cooking-school founder, he hosted America’s first food-television program in 1946. In 1954, The New York Times described him as the “Dean of American cookery.”
Beard's work was groundbreaking and unparalleled—informed by Oregon’s natural bounty—inspiring a national movement to celebrate local foodways.
Find and Connect with Oregon Foods
Discover Oregon Taste
The pandemic exposed the importance and vulnerability of our local food systems. In response, the James Beard Public Market staff and board developed Oregon Taste, a free, searchable online directory connecting local farm-fresh foods and food businesses directly with consumers.
Oregon Taste is the public service arm of the James Beard Public Market, offering opportunities of connecting food consumers, chefs, and farmers throughout the year. Subscribe to our newsletter to be the first to learn about our Oregon Taste events.
Our Board
Pippa Arend, Chair
Jane Gordon , Vice Chair
Jeff Miller, Secretary
Jim Bean, Treasurer
Ru Budhi, Trustee
Lindsay Ford, Trustee
Frank Foti, Trustee
Kanth Gopalpur, Trustee
Amelia Hard, Trustee
Richard Harris, Trustee
Janie Hibler, Trustee
Greg Higgins, Trustee
Willow Hill, Trustee
Martin McClanan, Trustee
Peter Platt, Trustee
Nancy Ponzi, Trustee
David Sigal, Trustee
Jacobsen Valentine, Trustee
Staff
Jessica Elkan, Executive Director
Christina Mahre, Executive Administrator
Patrick Sherbo, Market Manager