One of the pleasures of living on the Hill is that even those who lack space to grow vegetables can still find farmer-fresh produce by visiting the Broadway Sunday Farmers Market. The Broadway Business Improvement Association (BIA) hosts the weekly event, which begins operation this year on Sunday, May 13, and runs through to Nov. 30. The market, located as before behind the Broadway Bank of America parking lot on Broadway and East Thomas Street, runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
With 40 participating vendors, a wide variety of local agricultural products will be available, according to Chris Curtis, president of Neighborhood Farmers Market Alliance. The nonprofit Alliance organizes seven Seattle markets, including the new Phinney Ridge market.
"We're in our third season and we keep growing," said Curtis. "Capitol Hill residents enjoy meeting with local farmers, being able to ask how something was grown and whether chemicals were used."
Nationwide, the number and popularity of farmers' markets have grown concurrently with organic production and consumer interest in locally and organically produced agricultural products. In 1994, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) began tracking all known farmers' markets operating in the U.S. Between 1994 and 2006, the number of markets jumped from 1,755 to 4,385, and the percentage of organic farmers at each market is also climbing.
"'Are you organic?' and 'Are you certified?' are the most frequently asked questions at each stand," Curtis said.
Planned for the summer months are weekly special events including live music, cooking demos, produce tasting and activities for children, as well as gardening and composting information.
"We're excited to be featuring the Lee Stripling Trio performing their lively fiddling and old-time tunes on our opening day," Curtis said. "We offer a wide variety of live entertainment weekly. In the summer, shoppers enjoy the superb music and great weather."
Market shoppers enjoy sampling food not commonly sold in grocery stores. Exotic varieties of row vegetables, artisan preserves and new cheese blends are among the unusual selections offered.
"You don't see baby artichokes like mine at the grocery store," said Joanie McIntyre, proprietor of Rent's Due Ranch of Stanwood. McIntyre's stand is also a favorite for Canasta lettuce, an unusual variety with a crunchy center and red-tinged exterior.
McIntyre and Curtis are local advocates of the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP), a program associated with the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, Children and Seniors. Participating market vendors accept WIC vouchers.
"The FMNP was established by Congress in 1992, to provide nutritious, locally grown food to low-income Americans, and to expand the awareness of farmers' markets. We think it's a win-win situation," Curtis said.
Regular vendors report that they enjoy the direct feedback from consumers and the friendships they have developed with each other. Local farmers utilize the time together to share solutions to challenges unique to their farming methods.
"Growing my strawberries organically is difficult, because strawberries need perfect weather, which Western Washington doesn't have," said McIntyre. "Organic farmers don't use the standard chemicals to address fungi growth, which can be a problem in the Pacific Northwest. Spending time with the other organic farmers at the market gives me a chance to learn about sustainable solutions."
Guests enjoy the wide array of agricultural products that are represented by the growers and ranchers, including nursery starts, flowers, fruits and vegetables, free-range meat and dairy products. Mainstay products include goose eggs from Seabreeze Farms of Vashon Island and fresh hazelnuts from Holmquist Hazelnuts of Bellingham.
In addition to the raw farm products, shoppers have the opportunity to buy locally prepared food. Fresh crepes, ciders and salsas made with local ingredients are among the items available.
"In my native France, farmers' markets are a way of life," said Helene Satou, who sells artisan and ethnic baked goods, including a fragrant pastry made with orange blossom water and anise seeds. "I enjoyed the local markets so much that I quit my job as a commercial property manager to sell my baked goods full time. Food is my passion."
In addition to offering fresh produce and nursery stock, visiting farmers benefit Broadway by supporting area merchants. Market vendors donate produce to Capitol Hill food banks.
"Farmers' markets create a sense of community and place. People don't tend to think of dense urban environments as community," said Michael Wells, chair of the Broadway BIA. "Helping to bring the market here is my proudest moment."
Wells, who also owns Broadway's Bailey-Coy Books and leads the BIA, is encouraging local merchants to participate in the Broadway Spring Sweep on Sunday, May 13. The event celebrates the annual opening of the market with a cleanup on Broadway.
"We're encouraging the merchants and volunteers to get out at 9 a.m., and help clean the sidewalks or remove graffiti. We plan to make our way to the market at 11 where Councilmember Sally Clark will honor all participants," Wells said.
For more information about the Broadway Spring Sweep, visit www.broadwaybia.org.
The Neighborhood Farmers Market Alliance can be reached at 547-2278.
Freelance writer Sarah Wyatt can be reached at editor@capitol hilltimes.com.
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