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 Brian and his wife Eileen were one of three families, who along with about 50 of their friends started New Seasons Market back in 1999. He has been a passionate player in the growing local, organic and natural food scene in Portland for years.
But it didn’t start that way – Brian was raised in Chicago, in a family that didn’t pay very much attention to food. His interest may have started with his first job – as a bag boy in a Chicago grocery store – but he says he really became aware about food and food systems after moving to Oregon.
After Brian graduated from high school, he moved to Eugene where he was first introduced to the world of natural and organic foods. He bought some land outside of the city and started a small organic farm, selling to markets throughout the town. He soon phased production into natural beef and pork and was co-founder of one of the first ever natural meat markets. Some of Brian’s other myriad jobs include car mechanic, bagel baker, heavy equipment operator and logger, but soon enough he was general manager at Nature’s Fresh Northwest in Portland. He left to help start New Seasons Market in 1999.
One of Brian’s biggest passions in his day-to-day life is his work as a volunteer driver for Loaves and Fishes. He’s been driving since 1995, delivering meals and doing little chores – opening a jar, changing a light bulb – for Portland seniors who need some assistance. 50 cents from the sale of every New Seasons Market sourdough loaf is earmarked for Meals on Wheels and over $102,000 has been contributed this program. Each New Seasons Market store has also put together a group of volunteers to drive a route every week.
Brian has also been very involved in food activities in Portland, as a one-time co-chair of the Food Policy Council, a board member for Loaves and Fishes, and as a member of the advisory committee for the Portland Public Market, among others.
In his free time, Brian gardens –he and Eileen replaced their front lawn with an expansive vegetable garden. He also likes to kayak and be on or by the water. Brian and Eileen have four children and no matter how much they each tried to avoid it, every one of them has worked for New Seasons Market at one time or another.
You can reach Brian at brianr@newseasonsmarket.com.
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