With the weather warming up, many local farmers' markets will open this month. Most will do business one day a week for four to seven hours.
These provide a venue for local farmers to sell their products directly to consumers and often help support Washington's small farms and farming families, according to the Neighborhood Farmers' Market Alliance.
NEIGHBORHOOD FARMERS' MARKET ALLIANCE
Last Saturday, May 5, marked the official start of the University District Farmers' Market's summer schedule.
Located in University Heights Center's parking lot, at University Avenue Northeast and Northeast 50th Street, the market offers tokens toward one hour of free parking in nearby lots.
More than 90,000 people shop at this market over the course of the year, said Janet Hurt, office manager of the Seattle Neighborhood Farmers' Market Alliance.
She added that the U-District market is Seattle's oldest and biggest "farmers-only" neighborhood market, meaning vendors sell only food-related products. The market began in 1993 and has been continuing ever since with more than 50 vendors.
This year, the University District program expanded from a summer-only to a yearlong operation. Its hours are now Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., extending its winter schedule by two hours.
The Lake City Farmers' Market is also scheduled to open this month. Unlike the University District market, it opens on a weekday, operating from 3 to 7 p.m. beginning Thursday, May 17.
It is located behind the fire station at Northeast 127th Street and 30th Avenue Northeast, with readily available street parking. There are usually about 25 vendors.
"[The farmers' markets are attended] by a broad range of people," Hurt said. Depending on the neighborhood, families, singles, seniors and young people are all likely to attend. "Basically anyone who likes to eat."
This year, a new farmers' market will open on Phinney Ridge. It will open at North 67th Street and Phinney Avenue North on Fridays from 3 to 7 p.m., beginning June 15. There will be an estimated 30 vendors, and available street parking.
The farmers' markets at both Phinney and Lake City offer many similar "farmers-only" products.
SEATTLE MARKETS
Opening May 15 is the Wallingford Farmers' Market, operated by Seattle Markets. It will open every Wednesday until late September, from 3 to 7 p.m. in the parking lot of the Wallingford Center, at North 45th Street and Wallingford Avenue North. Free customer parking is available to the north and west of Wallingford Avenue.
Unlike the other "farmers-only" markets, the Wallingford Farmers' Market will offer local crafts and artwork such as jewelry and handmade soap, along with the fresh produce. Food demonstrations, events and live music are also planned.
The Fremont Farmers' Market started in 1990 and later evolved into an European-style flea market at the north end of the Fremont Bridge. It now has more than 150 vendors who offer such items as antiques, tools, collectibles and vintage clothing.
The yearlong event occurs every Sunday, rain or shine, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., except during Fremont Fair weekend in mid-June.
SOME SHOPPING ADVICE
The Seattle Neighborhood Farmers' Markets' newsletter advises shoppers to bring enough cash, especially in change and small bills, because few vendors can accept checks or credit cards. Some vendors do accept food stamps, however.
Shoppers are also advised to bring a shopping bag to reduce paper- or plastic-bag waste and to help save the farmers money.
The newsletter adds, "Don't be shy about asking questions before you buy.... Our farmers are happy to answer."
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