Seattle’s only independent farmers market will set up shop for the first time in 2017 this Thursday, and every Thursday thereafter until Oct. 12 from 3 to 7:30 p.m.
And while plenty remains the same from last year, the Queen Anne Farmers Market has added a new kids program, “Roots to Shoots,” designed to educate children about the local food system through an array of activities over the next 20 weeks.
Market Director Brittany Ryan said a kids program has been a work in progress, and a vision for a long time, dating back to the board members who launched the market.
Every month will have a different theme, with activities at the Kids’ Tent from 4 to 6 p.m. There will also be a “two-bite challenge,” where participants can try a bite each of a fruit and a vegetable, giving kids the chance to broaden their horizons on healthy food. After completing both tasks, participants will receive a $2 coupon that they can use on fresh produce at the market, valid through the end of the season.
The farmers market raised almost $3,000 through the Seattle Foundation’s annual GiveBIG online giving event in mid-May to help fund those coupons.
“I’m happy with every donation that we get, and so that will be that many more kids that will get to have $2 coupons every week,” Ryan said.
Children must have a parent or guardian signature to participate in the program, and be observed by them while at the Kids’ Tent.
While the kids program is the biggest new addition, this year’s market also features a wider variety of food trucks, more cooking demonstrations and book signins.
“I think we’re just ramping up a little bit more,” Ryan said. “We had such a great response last year — it was the busiest market season we’ve ever had — we’re just trying to keep that momentum going.”
For more information on the Queen Anne Farmers Market or the Roots to Shoots program, visit www.qafma.net. For the latest announcements on market events, follow them on Twitter (www.twitter.com/QAFarmersMkt) or Instagram (www.instagram.com/queenannefarmersmarket), or like them on Facebook (www.facebook.com/QAFarmersMkt).