Meet Our Vendors: Patty Pan Cooperative

Patty Pan Cooperative has been a staple of the farmers markets since the late 90s. You probably know them from their iconic market quesadillas: fresh tortillas filled with cheese and grilled market veggies. Founder Devra Gartenstein explains the philosophy behind their menu, “Our menu stays the same. The ingredients change.”  

This is the reality of seasonal and local eating. The menu always consists of various grilled market veggies, but the veggies in their mix change depending on what is available. Since they’ve been in the markets since (nearly) the beginning, Patty Pan has developed relationships with many farmers and will often buy surplus veggies from farmers at the end of the day. “It’s like gleaning, but people get paid,” Devra says.  

The ability to adapt is one of the reasons that Patty Pan has been so successful in the markets for such a long time. When they joined the West Seattle Farmers Market in 2018, they started selling some packaged and prepared foods, like their fresh tortillas, directly to their customers. When the pandemic hit, they were able to stay in the markets by adapting and selling only pre-packaged foods, including frozen entrees like a Market Mac and Cheese.  

It’s impossible to tell the story of Patty Pan’s success without talking about Patty Pan as a cooperative. Devra founded Patty Pan to be a “thoughtful, progressive food business. I was looking for solutions for the way that the mainstream food system is dysfunctional.”  

In 2013, Devra made the decision to turn Patty Pan into a co-op. Today, Patty Pan has seven owners, who share responsibilities and risks as a team. “At their best, co-ops are a process of ongoing learning and engaging,” Devra says.  

As someone with an established co-op, Devra has much knowledge and insight to share with other vendors. In addition to being an owner of Patty Pan, Devra works as a Farm and Food Business Coach, offering free coaching for small businesses through Business Impact Northwest.  

She has also authored several books about local and sustainable food practices. She has written a vegan cookbook, despite not being vegan, and has also written a food history book about how people’s ideas of eating well have evolved over time.  

Devra’s knowledge and passion for sustainable food systems come through in her work with Patty Pan. The co-op is a culmination of seasonal and local eating, and building relationships with people within the food system. You can join Patty Pan’s local food community by checking them out at the University District and Capitol Hill Farmers Markets.