CHIMACUM FARMERS' MARKET OPENS JUNE 1ST

Jefferson County’s newest market brings growers and consumers together

CHIMACUM, WA. MAY 22, 2008 – Starting Sunday, June 1st, The Chimacum Farmers' Market will open to the public for the season.

Featuring locally grown produce from Chimacum Grange farmers, customers can be sure they are receiving the freshest items, most of which are produced within 30 miles of the market. Opening weekend offerings may include fresh greens, radishes, peas, herbs, vegetable and flower starts, seeds, jams and jellies, coffee, chocolate, eggs, wool and lavender products.

Participating farmers and producers include Plum Wild Farm, Dharma Ridge Farm, G&R Quality Seafood, Olympic Pastured Poultry, Mountain Spirit Herbal Co., Sequim Lavender Company, Princess Valiant Coffee and John Gunning's Familty Farm.

The popularity of farmers markets is growing quickly as people become more interested in eating locally. The surge in the cost of oil has had a noticeable effect on the price of food in the grocery store, since most food requires processing, packaging, refrigeration and a long trip in a truck. Local food is largely free of these fluctuating costs and is closer to the actual cost of production. Items produced closer to home are higher in nutrients because they tend to be picked at their peak and do not spend many days in transit to the consumer, losing more nutrients.

Patronizing local farmers keeps agriculture viable on the peninsula, ensuring that farms will stay in production and increasing food security on the peninsula. As people become more interested in locallization and supporting the local economy first, food is at the top of the list of things in which everyone has the same basic need. Building a strong food network means that peninsula residents would have an easier time being fed in the case of emergency that effects the normal channels of large scale food distribution.

The Chimacum Farmers' Market is located at the Grange, 9572 Rhody Drive, on the Jefferson Transit bus line across from the Chimacum Schools. The market will be open Sundays from 11am to 3pm, June 1st through October.

For more information on the Chimacum Farmers' Market, please visit http://www.chimacum.org/ or contact Molly Fahrenschon at 360.821.1035

Chimacum Farmers' Market

Chimacum Farmers' Market (Map) opens June 1.



Chimacum Farmers’ Market Mission Statement and Vision

The Chimacum Farmers’ Market is committed to local agriculture and community, offering the means for the two groups to come together in a mutually beneficial relationship.

The market helps form and strengthen the relationship between farmers and consumers, improving customer base for the farmers, giving consumers better access to fresh local food, thereby fortifying the food network on the Olympic Peninsula.

Hours: Sundays, 11 a.m.- 3 p.m.
Contact: Molly Fahrenschon (360)821-1035

Press Release: Port Townsend Farmers Market Opens

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

DATE: May 5, 2007 • 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

CONTACT: Matt Sircely matt at ptfarmersmarket dot org (360) 301-3789


Video: Nick Hill, Market Manager

The Port Townsend Farmers Market opens this weekend in Uptown Port Townsend on Saturday, May 5 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Deputy Mayor Michelle Sandoval will open the market with an official ceremony at 9:30 a.m. At noon, Sandoval will draw upon her Chicana heritage to deliver a brief address in Spanish, invoking the celebration of Cinco de Mayo.

On opening day, the market stage will feature folkloric Mexican music by Tres Piedras, a trio of twin fiddles and guitar led by local fiddler Marla Streater. As part of the Cinco de Mayo festival, children will have the chance to swing at a festive pata.

Each week through the season, the farmers market offers a wide spectrum of food, crafts, art and music together with an opportunity to personally connect with the local sustainable growers who are sowing the future of Jefferson County. In the last few years, the Port Townsend Farmers Market has grown into a full scale community celebration, with more than a thousand people attending each week.

Perennial changes at the farmers market always present a few surprises. This year, new vendor highlights include the return to the market of Frog Hill Farm. A long-standing anchor of the local food network, Frog Hill's cooperative team of seasoned growers will fill another booth with glorious, healthy produce.

Also among the new arrivals, Randy and Anne Unbedacht of The Spot Restaurant will serve seafood gumbo, caesar salad, soups, pestos and salsas alongside their signature "SPOTKETS" tasty pastry pies stuffed with seafood, meats or vegetables. Janice Speck of Janice Designs will furnish her bracelets, necklaces, scarves, and hats using locally processed wool and her palette of vibrant colors.

Former Old Tarboo farmer Emily Truitt will introduce her new Tarboo Valley Pasta, made with local eggs. Also for the first time, the Silverwater Cafe will offer its spice collection, including the renowned Silverwater Secret Spice. Dottie Holland and her young daughter Maddie will carry a combination of farm-oriented artwork, vegetables and even homemade animal treats. They will be accompanied by Maddie's miniature horse Willie certain to be popular among the market-going children.

In all, more than sixty vendors, including twenty-one growers and wildcrafters, will attend the community celebration on opening day. Vendor attendance will continue to grow during the first few weeks.

The Port Townsend Farmers Market is located uptown on Tyler Street at Lawrence. Wednesday markets begin on June 13th. For more information, call the market office at 379-9098 or visit www.ptfarmersmarket.org.