Hillsdale Farmers' Market Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer at the Hillsdale Farmers' Market in SW Portland!

Want to support your local food system, get some fresh air, and connect with your community? Come volunteer with us at the Hillsdale Farmers’ Market, located at Rieke Elementary School in Southwest Portland! Our year-round market happens every Sunday from April 27 through Nov 23 and approximately every other weekend from December - early April. We offer a variety of volunteer opportunities, each with 1-2 hour shifts.

Current Volunteer Opportunities:

Market Setup (year-round)

Shift: Sundays, 7:45 AM - 9:00 AM

Start your Sunday with teamwork and fresh air! Help us set up tents, tables, chairs, signs, and info booth materials before the market opens.

A Great fit for:

• Early risers who enjoy the cooler morning hours
• Folks comfortable lifting 20-40 lbs (tables, tents, chairs)
• Team players who enjoy a bit of physical activity

Perk: Be one of the first to shop once the market is set up and ready to go!

Info Booth Support (year-round)

Morning Shift: Sundays, 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Afternoon Shift: Sundays, 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

The info booth is the heart of the market! Volunteers assist with:

• Selling market tokens and merchandise
• Answering shopper questions
• Gathering shopper counts
• Covering vendor booths for short breaks
• Keeping the market tidy and welcoming

Great fit for:

• Friendly folks who love chatting with shoppers
• Independent workers (or team players!)
• People comfortable using a point-of-sale system and handling money

Note: Not all info booth volunteers need to do every task-let us know your preferences and we’ll find the right role for you.

Power of Produce (PoP) Kids ClubSupport (April 27 - Oct 26)

Morning Shift: Sundays, 8:50 AM - 11:00 AM

Afternoon Shift: Sundays, 11:00 AM - 1:10 PM

POP is our kids’ program for ages 4-12 that teaches about produce, healthy eating, and our local food system. Each child receives a passport to collect stamps as they participate in activities.

Tasks include:

• Setting up (AM only) and running each week's activity
• Greeting and checking in young participants
• Helping kids with crafts, tastings, or games
• Distributing POP Bucks to participants
• Breaking down and cleaning up POP booth once market concludes (PM only)

Perk: Get to know our regulars and vendors while helping inspire the next generation of market lovers!

Market Breakdown (year-round)

Shift: Sundays, 12:45 PM - 2:00 PM

Close out the market day with camaraderie and a satisfying sense of accomplishment! Help us take down tents, tables, chairs, signs, and info booth materials once the market wraps up.

A Great fit for:

• Afternoon helpers who like to end their weekend with purpose
• Folks comfortable lifting 20-40 lbs (tables, tents, chairs)
• Reliable team players who enjoy light physical activity and fresh air

Perk: Enjoy a laid-back afternoon and a behind-the-scenes peek at how the market wraps up!

Special Projects (year-round, as needed)

Occasionally we need help outside market hours-things like organizing our storage truck, fixing equipment, or spreading the word about the market.

Great fit for:

• Folks with limited time (especially on Sundays) but specific skills
• People handy with tools or creative with outreach
• Anyone looking to contribute to the market behind-the-scenes

Let us know your availability and skill set, and we’ll find a project for you!

Ready to jump in?

Email us at hillsdalemarketvolunteers@gmail.com or respond directly to this listing.

6 shifts available:

• Market Set-up (physical work): 07:45 to 09:00 PST
• POP Kids Club Booth support (Apr - Oct only): 08:45 to 11:00 PST
• Info Booth: 09:00 to 11:00 PST
• POP Kids Club Booth Support (Apr - Oct only): 11:00 to 13:15 PST
• Info Booth: 11:00 to 13:00 PST
• Market Break Down (physical work): 12:45 to 14:30 PST