Fill Your Pantry returns with new arrangement

 HOOD RIVER — The annual Fill Your Pantry market, a bulk-buying event hosted by Gorge Grown Food Network (GGFN), returns this year on Nov. 7.

But rather than a separate one-day event, as it has been for several years, Fill Your Pantry will take place during the regular Hood River Farmers Market on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Fill Your Pantry sells items from local vendors in bulk in preparation for upcoming winter months. The event has historically been held as a one-day event at the Rockford Grange, but this year, GGFN has faced challenges around staffing and funding capacity, as well as the limited capacity of the Grange to hold all interested vendors.

“Fill Your Pantry is about connecting people with the farmers and producers who grow and make their food, while giving those producers an opportunity to sell larger quantities as we head into winter,” said GGFN Farmers Market Director Hannah Nanda. “Holding the event as part of the regular farmers market means shoppers can make their usual farmers market trip while also stocking up for the months ahead.”

Fill Your Pantry customers can expect a range of fall and winter staples, including storage crops, meat, fish, honey, cheese, pantry goods, dried herbs and other locally produced foods. The market will continue weekly alongside the Hood River Farmers Market through the end of the season.

Free parking is available for market shoppers on the west side of the Columbia lot. The market will also offer a Veggie Valet, where attendees can leave their purchases at the information booth and drive back over to pick up their items.

The Hood River Farmers Market will continue to operate every Saturday through Nov. 21, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The market’s winter season opens Dec. 5 and will continue every other Saturday through April.

For more information, including participating vendors and food storage resources, visit www.gorgegrown.com/fillyourpantry.