Travel Oregon Gives Feed the Mass $50,000 to Host a Family Friendly Food Event

Travel Oregon Doles Out More Than $2 Million in Grants to Bolster Tourism

This week, Travel Oregon announced which city governments, organizations, nonprofits, and businesses would receive funds as a part of its Competitive & Recovery Grant Program. The grants were meant to “enhance and expand the visitor experience and prepare communities and visitors for COVID-19 safe travel,” according to the Travel Oregon website; grants went to organizations and cities hoping to restore trails, create outdoor dining and event spaces, and fund community events like drive-ins and parks. Nonprofit kitchen Feed the Mass and food festival Feast Portland received $50,000 to hold a “family-friendly, outdoor food event” at The Redd on Salmon Street; Prosper Portland received $20,000 for My People’s Market; and the Portland Mercado got $100,000 to renovate its outdoor space. [WWeek]

A new Vancouver restaurant just opened, blending Southeast Asian and Latin American Flavors

Saap has taken over the former Lapellah space, pulling in the talents of Oula Thepsouvanh, who comes from Nomad Las Vegas, and Kyle Griffith, who worked at Hey Jack in Camas. Saap is serving things like smoked Old Fashioneds, quesadillas topped with lychee salsa, and tempura prawns with achiote. The restaurant comes from developer Ryan Hurley, who wants to start a restaurant group in the area; Hurley says he plans to open five more restaurants, hiring other local industry vets like local restaurateur Bobby Rasaphangthong (Nom Nom Restaurant) and former Little Conejo general manager Keith Belter. [Columbian]

In Other News...

• Indoor dining is back on in Portland today [EPDX]
• Laird Superfood acquires Picky Bars for $12 million [PBJ]
• Burgerville is giving away milkshakes for Mother’s Day [O]
• Tamale Boy now has a bar at its North Russell location [PBJ]
• Sizzle Pie is expanding [PBJ]