King County farmers market sales grow 20 percent

Stock your fridge and support local farms!

2005 Archived News

Washington has some of the most fertile farmland in the world. The old saying--“you could plant a telephone pole and it would grow here." It has always guaranteed King County residents the brightest flowers, the sweetest berries and the freshest vegetables.

But our farmland is disappearing. Football field size chunks are paved over for parking lots and warehouses. According to the American Farmland Trust, the Puget Sound/Willamette Valley region is the fifth most threatened farmland region in the nation.

Now, local farmers markets are helping to put the brakes on disappearing agricultural land and offer farmers a way to stay in business. Nearly 300 farmers are now selling direct at King County farmers markets. It gives them a critical link to their customers. They can triple; sometimes quadruple their profits over wholesale by selling direct. It's also great for produce fans.

"Very simply, it's where you find the freshest, best-tasting produce available," said King County Executive Ron Sims, trumpeting the opening of the 2005 farmers market season. “We are very excited about the market season this year, there's a lot to see and a lot to savor."

King County's will have 22 farmers markets operating in this year, including two new markets. The Lake Forest Park market opens June 12 and the Broadway Street Farmers Market opened May 15.

The backbone of the market boom is Puget Sound Fresh. A program started in 1998 by Executive Sims to encourage citizens, wholesalers, and retailers to seek out locally grown products. It also provides funding and technical assistance to farmers markets.

Puget Sound Fresh helped local farmers markets sales jump as much as 20 percent last year according to Cascade Harvest Coalition. The non-profit group surveys local farmers.

You may soon find more new products at the markets. Fresh, local meat and fish may also be on the menu thanks to new guidelines being developed by a task force appointed by Executive Sims. The team of farmers, agriculture researchers, and health officials has been exploring safe handling practices that would allow local ranchers and fisherman to market their goods.

Supporting farmers markets has been a priority for Executive Sims, who is working with the King County Agriculture Commission to amend the County Code to allow more opportunities for local farmers to sell their products.

"We have successfully protected thousands of acres of farmland throughout King County with open space and farmland preservation programs, "emphasized Sims."But it's vital that we maintain the viability of these farms by buying locally-grown products. Farms are critical to the quality of life we cherish in this region."

For a complete list of farmers markets in King County and beyond, see the attached list or visit the Puget Sound Fresh Program Web site. For more information about King County farming or the Puget Sound Fresh Program, please contact the King County Farmbudsman, Steve Evans, at 206-296-7824 or via e-mail.

King County Farmers Markets

Ballard Farmers Market
Sundays: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.; year round; 5300 Ballard Ave NW

Bellevue Farmers Market
Thursdays: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. May 19 - Oct 21; 1717 Bellevue Way NE

Broadway Street Farmers Market
Sundays: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.; May 15 – Nov. 20; On Capital Hill, behind the Bank of America on Broadway Street.

Burien Farmers Market
Thursdays: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.; May 12 - Oct 6; 4th Ave SW, Between 150th & 152nd

Capitol Hill Farmers Market - new location
Fridays: 3 p.m - 7 p.m., begins May 20th year round; Mount Zion Baptist Church at 20th & E. Madison

Carnation Farmers Market
Tuesdays: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. May 17- Sept 27; SR 203 - Tolt Ave & Bird St.

Columbia City Farmers Market
Wednesdays: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.; May 11 - October 26; Columbia Plaza, 4801 Rainier Ave. S., Seattle

Federal Way Farmers Market
Saturdays: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. May 7; October 29 SeaTac Mall in the Sears parking Lot 320th & Pacific Hwy

Issaquah Public Market
Saturdays: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.; April 16 - October 15; 1730 - 10th Ave NE (Pickering Barn)

Kirkland Market
Wednesdays: Noon – 7 p.m.; May 4 - October 13; Park Lane East, between 3rd & Main

Lake City Farmers Market
Thursdays: 3 p.m. - 7 p.m.; May 19 - October 21; NE 127th St. & 30th Ave NE

Lake Forest Park Farmers Market
Sundays: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. June 12 – Oct 2; 99 Ballinger Way NE, at Lake Forest Park Towne Centre

Magnolia Farmers Market
Saturdays: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.; June 4 - Sept 24; Magnolia Community Center 2550 - 34th Ave W

North Bend Farmers Market
Saturdays: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.; June 11 - October 1; North Bend Senior Center, Main & Park at SR 202

Pike Place Market
Monday – Saturday: 9 a.m., – 6 p.m.; Sunday, 10am - 5pm; Year-Round; Corner of Pike St. and Pike Place, Seattle

Redmond Saturday Market
Saturdays: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.; May 7 - October 29; 7730 Leary Way at Bear Creek Pkwy

Renton Farmers Market
Tuesdays: 3 p.m. - 7 p.m.; June 7- September 20; S. 3rd St., Between Logan & Burnett Ave. S.

University District Farmers Market
Saturdays: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.; May 7 - Oct 29; NE 50th & University Way NE, Seattle

Vashon Island Growers Assoc. Farmers Market
Saturdays: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.; Wednesdays, 9 a.m. - Noon; April 2 - October 1; 1/2 Block N. of Bank Road on
Vashon Hwy SW

West Seattle Farmers Market
Sundays: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.; May 8 - December 18; on the corner of Alaska and California in the Alaska Junction

Woodinville Farmers Market
Saturdays: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.; April 16 - October 15; Next to City Hall at Sorenson School