By Tom Karwaki
A few years ago, New York City residents Alex Graupner and Annette Glass asked themselves, “What can we do to survive and have time with our children?”
Their answer? Move to Portland and start a family business, La Petite Ferme, growing micro-greens (sprouts) and vegetables in backyard greenhouses to sell at the St. Johns Farmers Market on Saturdays and King Neighborhood Farmers Market on Sundays. Alex says, “We have four ingredients to help customers: soil, seed, water and sun.”
“Our goal is to build community with fresh, healthy organic food at a fair price,” said Alex, who with his family now lives in the University Park neighborhood. Growing the micro-greens and tomatoes is a family affair with their daughter helping plant and train sprouts.
Their secret for growing so much in such a small space “is that staying small, which allows us to spend more time with each plant, ensuring high quality and consistency,” Alex said. Learn more or place orders at www.lapetitefermepdx.com.
