Puget Sound Fresh farm products still available as farmers' market season continues

The popularity of community farmers' markets during the summer months has prompted several markets to stay open through the winter months. This makes it easier for people to include local farm products in holiday meals, according to Puget Sound Fresh, the marketing program designed to promote local farm products from throughout the region.

Steve Evans, King County's Puget Sound Fresh coordinator, said market-goers can expect to find a wide variety of fresh produce this time of year, including kale and chard, squash, carrots, potatoes, beets, onions, garlic, apples and even certain types of lettuce. Some greenhouse products, such as tomatoes, and fresh eggs should also be available for holiday meal planning, Evans said.

Supported by King, Snohomish, Pierce and Kitsap counties, the Puget Sound Fresh program began in 1998 to help consumers identify products that are grown, raised or harvested in one of the 12 counties that touch the Sound.

A calendar detailing which farm-fresh items are available each month can be found at http://dnr.metrokc.gov/wlr/farms/harvest_schedule.htm on the Internet.

Evans said approximately 60 farms from a 12-county region are participating in the Puget Sound Fresh program this year. King County has nearly 60,000 acres of farmlands alone that provide the produce and other items sold at nearly two dozen farmers markets throughout the region, including at least four that are open year-round in the Seattle area: West Seattle, University District, Ballard and Madison.

In addition to the Puget Sound Fresh Partners program, Puget Sound Fresh publishes the annual Farm Guide to help consumers find local farms, including U-pick farms, organic products, recipes, agricultural activities and more. Details are available at: www.pugetsoundfresh.org, or at 206-632-0606.