On Saturday, September 20, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Pioneer Courthouse Square will be transformed into a vibrant regional tasting table as “Bounty of Umatilla County: Farm to Square” brings the flavors of Eastern Oregon to the heart of Portland.
This one-day inaugural celebration highlights the incredible agricultural richness of Umatilla County, featuring everything from Hermiston watermelons and Pendleton beef to Madison Farms onions and locally sourced potatoes. Guests will enjoy both samples and farm-fresh produce for purchase, offering a true farm-to-city experience.
With a chef selection curated by Oregon Taste, a public service project of the James Beard Public Market, the event will showcase Oregon chefs, each presenting original small bites inspired by Umatilla County’s seasonal harvest. These chefs include McMinnville Restaurant, Grounded Table (formerly Humble Spirit), and chefs from Portland's Mucca Osteria, Feed the Mass, Nostrana, Southpark Seafood, Urban Farmer and Elephants Delicatessen.
Hosted by City of Portland Mayor Keith Wilson and Umatilla County Commissioner Dan Dorran, Farm to Square offers a unique culinary and cultural exchange—connecting rural producers with urban audiences through shared values of food, craft, and community.
Featured ingredients from Umatilla County farms and ranches include:
- Pendleton Beef
- Hill Meat Company
- Melons from Hermiston Melon Growers
- Onions from Madison Farms
- Potatoes from Oregon Potato Commission growers
- …and other seasonal specialties.
Guests are invited to taste the bounty, meet the growers, and learn about the abundance of one of Oregon’s most dynamic agricultural regions.
“This event is about more than food—it’s about connection,” said Portland Mayor Keith Wilson. “We are pleased to welcome Umatilla County growers to the heart of Portland. Our city thrives when we strengthen our ties with the rest of Oregon. Umatilla County’s contributions to our food system, economy, and culture deserve to be celebrated right here in Portland’s living room.”
“Umatilla County is proud to bring a taste of our home to the heart of Portland,” added County Commissioner Dan Dorran. “We feed the state, and events like this build bridges between the growers, the chefs, and the communities who share in the harvest.”
In addition to culinary tastings, the event will feature recipe card giveaways, food-related games and activities, and information on the agricultural and economic linkages between Eastern and Western Oregon.
“Bounty of Umatilla County” highlights not only the literal ingredients that fuel Portland’s food scene, but also the relationships that support Oregon’s interconnected economic ecosystem—from field to fork, and from county to city.
This event is free and open to the public.
Source: City of Portland