Meet Our Farmers: Lee Lor Garden
The Lor family of Lee Lor Garden.
Lee Lor Garden holds a special place in our hearts here at the Neighborhood Farmers Markets. They have been with us almost as long as the organization has existed, and have joined us at the West Seattle Farmers Market every Sunday since day one twenty years ago. Lee and Blia Lor's children grew up helping out in the booth and on the farm, and it has been a joy watching them grow along with their business. We reached out to Lee and Blia’s daughter Melisa for a little context about the Lor family, and the history of their business.
"After the Vietnam War, also known as the Laotian Civil War, many Hmong civilians camping in Thailand were able to immigrate into the US, where many began starting their new lives. Blia came in the late ’70s, and Lee followed in the mid-’80s. After ten years of hard work they were able to make their business official in 1994. Lee Lor Garden is a small family business built on hard work, since then we have come a long way from our first starting of $1 produce to a now more reasonable and affordable price. We are well known for providing such affordable produce, and for growing a famous green well-known among the older generations of the Asian community- young squash vines! Along with African spinach (amaranth, Managu, or also known as black nightshade), Chinese spinach (amaranth, ong choy), bitter melon (Likok eggplants), and Asian cucumbers!"
Melissa curates the Lee Lor Garden Instagram, which bursts with vibrant photos of flowers and produce. Give them a follow to see what's new on the farm! You can pick up a flower bouquet or gorgeous produce from Lee Lor Garden at the University District and West Seattle farmers markets.
