Kathy Unger and her husband Matt started farming together more than two decades ago in Cornelius, Oregon – 26 miles west of Portland. In 1984 the two bought an 80-acre parcel of land across the road from Matt’s childhood home and this was the beginning of Unger Farms.
In the early years their crops of strawberries and cucumbers went entirely to the canneries. But in 1986 the Ungers brought part of their harvest to their first farmers’ market and, according to Kathy, it was love at first sight.
Adding more farmers’ markets as the years progressed, the Ungers were able to shift their marketing away from the canneries and sell the bulk of their product through local outlets – be it markets, roadside stands or grocery stores. Kathy and Matt were thrilled by the face-to-face interactions that selling at farmers’ markets enabled them to have. For Kathy, sharing her product with the customers at market is the most pleasurable part of farming. She especially enjoys the Hollywood Farmers’ Market for its wonderful, community feel.
For any of you who have visited the Unger Farms stand at the Hollywood Farmers’ Market, you know that their display is always replete with a beautiful array of strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries. The presentation and quality of the product they bring to market each and every week is something on which Kathy and Matt Unger pride themselves. They did extensive research into berry varieties and selected beautiful, fresh-market varieties with superior flavor such as Hood strawberries, Heritage raspberries and Spartan and Darrow blueberries to grow on their land. As Kathy will tell you, it is their goal to ensure that every berry in every pint is beautiful.
It takes lots of hands to get all of the delicious berries from the field to the market. In addition to almost 30 locals who help with harvests, the Ungers have four children, all of whom are involved in the running of the farm. The next generation is also underway, with the second Unger grandson born just this past Monday!
Be sure to check out Unger Farms next time you visit the market. They are always excited to meet a new customer. Also, don’t forget look for their Red Flame seedless table grapes to be arriving at market in the next couple of weeks.
Written by Eliza Whiteman, HFM Volunteer