NEWS FROM THE MARKET: April/May 2007

Coop Commons
Port Townsend Food Coop Newsletter

By Matt Sircely

As the spring soil awakens and the young starts begin to climb out of their pots, we at the Port Townsend Farmers Market are thrilled to look forward to another season of providing personal connections between the community and local growers. Last year, between a thousand and 1,500 people supported the market each week, perhaps the largest weekly confluence of community in our beloved town. We need to grow our local production to keep pace with the rapid increases in demand, and we strongly encourage more local growers to climb on board. As Coop Commons goes to print, vendors continue to submit applications, so please consider this one last bugle call.

In the last issue, Nick Hill foreshadowed the arrival of new staff at the market, and it is little surprise that, after all of his heartfelt dedication as site manager last year, Nick is the new Market Manager. The market also welcomes Ruth Ballard to the new position of Friends of the Market Coordinator. Ruth will be organizing and leading our courageous volunteers. I feel honored to announce that I will be the Communications and Marketing Coordinator this year and I will continue for a third year as Music Coordinator.

Throughout the season, a series of festivals will celebrate some of the favorite crops. Still, each week at the market is essentially a festival of food, art and music. Underscoring the vibrant community celebration are the intentions of building a sustainable food network that we all share. This year, the Farmers Market will also accept Food Stamps, allowing recipients to use EBT cards to directly buy local produce.

Out On The Farm

One measure of the health of a local farming community is the stability and continuity of farms and farmers coming to the market. We are pleased to announce that almost all of our farming neighbors will be back at the market on opening day on May 5. Only one farm has departed, and we hope John Gunning and Colinwood Farm will return in 2008.

Change is in the winds on our local farms this year, and we consider change with continuity to be good news. For example, Corona Farm will continue production, but with different farmers. Adam Blake and Em Graham, already familiar to many as managers of Full Circle Gardens, have taken the reins at Corona. Adam will also maintain the market's website at www.ptfarmersmarket.org.

Meanwhile, seasoned growers Marko Colby and Hanoko Myer, formerly of Corona and other farms, farm with Keith Kisler at Finn River Farm, continuing the thread of continuity. Kate Dean will step back to spend more time with her family. Marko and Hanoko have also joined a cooperative team to return Frog Hill Farm to the market, a farm well-known in town for its CSA program and bountiful lunches.


Old Tarboo Farm will be back with new farmers, and we send a hearty welcome to Jovi Catena and partner. Half of the former Old Tarboo dynamic duo also returns in a different fashion, as Emily Truitt (see video) will sell handmade pasta instead of greens. We wish Karyn Williams well as she travels the world.

We’re happy that Klaus and Jan Hintermayr of Hillside Farm will be back on Wednesdays and will also join us on Saturdays this season. Sunfield Farm will add Wednesdays to their schedule, including a CSA pickup on site.

While there is considerable change this season, there is also growth and continuity — something we can all take nourishment from. Once again, the market encourages new farmers and growers — even back-yard, community gardeners to join the ranks. Get in touch with Nick Hill, Market Manager, at nick@ptfarmersmarket.org and he’ll find you a spot. Get food you can trust at the market, where you can personally know both the farm and the farmer.