Washington State Farm Markets Booming
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 04.25.08
This one's all good news. Farm markets are growing at an unprecedented rate across the US State of Washington, which now has over 100 of them. In metro areas, every neighborhood wants one. The latest trend is to go year-round:
The West Seattle Farmers Market, which last year saw $1.1 million in vendor sales -- a 300 percent increase over the previous year -- is the latest to go year-round.The offerings are expanding.
Much has changed in 10 years, market and city leaders say. What was once a limited effort with mostly produce has gone mainstream, with a broader range of choices, from flowers to handcrafted cheeses and pastas, artisan breads, farmstead honey and cider, meats, eggs, herbs and other locally produced bounty.Reportedly some of the small Asian neighborhood grocery stores are upset about losing sales. But volumes growing, the rest is all to the good, and people will have to adjust.
The University District, the oldest neighborhood farmers market and the largest, saw $2.2 million in vendor sales last year, with more than 2,000 vendor stalls, and will celebrate its 15th anniversary this summer.Read the whole story, we suggest. For details check out the Washington State Farmers Markets Association.
We have to wonder if this trend represents a broader convergence: happens because large segment of population wants healthy food, because the region has already established supporting bike trail network, and because traffic has become insufferable. Let us know what you think the key factors are and whether other "green metro areas" are in line to experience the same.
Meanwhile, back at the custom bike factory...
Via::Seattle.pi.com, "Farmers markets keep growing, Demand outpaces available space" Image credit::ROcketTheBike, FreeRadical bike from Xtracycle, "set for the farmers market"
The trend extends to Cleveland, Ohio as well. Not only the popularity of Farmers' Markets, but the growing public acknowledgment and acceptance of locally-grown produce and locally-made food. I don't remember ever hearing of a farm being created in an inner city, until this.
http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/1208939518325080.xml&coll=2
In Boulder, Colorado we have a great farmer's market as well that has done a great job diversifying away from just produce. It's very close to the busy Pearl Street pedestrian mall and a few nice parks. Most of boulder's main festivals are held in the adjacent park, and most of them coincide with the farmer's market so they get a lot of publicity through that.
But Boulder's more an exception than a rule it seems.
I always leave my grandparents' home in Olympia jealous of the gorgeous and large farmer's market downtown. It's quite wonderful, filled with produce, fish, meat, crafts, and on and on. CT seems so far behind!
I used to go to the U-Districts Farmer's market when I went to UW! I lived literally two blocks away, and it was WONDERFUL!!!! They had everything from hazelnut flour to morel mushrooms, fresh caught fish, and purple bell peppers.
Of course, Seattle is a total foodie town, and when I lived there, everyday there was a farmer's market in a different "neighborhood" in the city. There was simply no excuse to get good food there.
I'm convinced that Seattle is ahead of the curve when it comes to eating local. I can't even tell you how my palette was expanded because of those magical Saturday mornings.
Yep, the Oly farmers market is great. We get down there often- on our xtracycles too!!
We have an awesome Farmer's Market in Puyallup! I love it! Full of tons of local farmers and vendors. I'm very lucky to live in such a great state that has so much to offer when it comes to local produce!
We're seeing the trend here as well on the east coast, in Philadelphia. I live blocks away from Clark Park, which holds a Farmers' Market every Saturday from 10-2 (& Thursday nights in the summer). Not only is attendance increasing but the range and quality of everyones products is as well.
I think a major part of these markets success is that people are not just getting quality food, but also a more pleasant experience. I work in Reading Terminal Market (Philly's Historic Farmer's market in the downtown area). The place is an indoor usually overcrowded building and I've seen it go avoided just for these reasons.