To market, to market, to buy local goods

By Allison Arthur of The Leader
April 29, 2009

Fresh from an International Farmers Market conference last weekend in San Francisco, Port Townsend Farmers Market Manager Will O'Donnell was excited Monday about the market opening Saturday, May 2.

It was the farmers market that brought O'Donnell and his wife, Kate Dean, who is Small Farms program director for the Washington State University Extension in Port Hadlock, to Jefferson County a decade ago.

And it's the same farmers market - a market that has grown in that decade from 15 to 70 vendors and from $80,000 to $800,000 in annual sales - that is keeping the family in Jefferson County, in an Uptown home not far from the market.

While the worldwide economy might be in the doldrums, O'Donnell says the future of the farmers market is bright.

"Our success rate is off the charts, and that's due to the fantastic and enlightened community we have. We have the perfect demographics for a farmers market," he said of a community that is middle-aged, highly educated and interested in healthy foods. (Read More)

To Farmers Market we will go! Maypole dance for Saturday's opening

"After several years of rapid growth, the Saturday market has become the largest weekly confluence of community in Port Townsend, drawing more than 1,000 customers each week. This success has attracted a large number of new vendors.

'We've added 11 new vendors and counting to the market this year, all food-related, including five new growers,' reported market manager Wendie Dyson. Because the interest among vendors is so high, Dyson initiated a waiting-list system to allow new vendors to experience the market when an established vendor cannot attend.

'I'm getting several calls each week from local entrepreneurs who want to join the market,' said Dyson. 'Some are backyard hobby growers whose gardens are producing enough excess that they're ready to start selling. This is exciting because it's increasing our local food source and building the diversity of products at the market. Several are younger residents starting their own side business preparing foods using ingredients they're sourcing from local growers or the Food Co-op, thus further supporting our local food system.'" (Read More)

Ruth Ballard Talks About Market Volunteers

Gabcast! Port Townsend Farmers Market #15


In this cell phone podcast direct from the May 12th Port Townsend Farmers Market, Ruth Ballard, Friends of the Market and Volunteer Coordinator, discusses the some of the volunteer positions currently available and what your donations are used for to help the market infrstructure. NOTE: The PT Farmers Market Phone number is 360/379-9098. Our conversation was cut short because we exceeded the time limit of the cell phone podcast service. Photo: Ruth Ballard is inbetween market volunteers Linda Smith and Bill Wise.

RUTH BALLARD: Friends of the Market Coordinator

This appeared in The Co-op Commons Newsletter


As the new Friends of the Market Coordinator, it’s my hope that the strong community support for the Farmers Market will bring many new volunteers and donors this season, and for many seasons to come. I’ll be keeping you informed over the next months about how you can share your talents and passion to support the mission of the market.

Did you ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes to help set the table for success for our farmers, food producers and artisans? Here’s a little hint -- it starts with volunteers. From our volunteer Board of Directors, to our set-up and take-down crew, festival event impresarios to web editors, this market depends on community volunteers.

Another way to lend support is by joining the Friends of the Market and making a tax-deductible monetary contribution. To cultivate local sustain- able agriculture in our community requires a commitment to keep vendor fees low and provide a strong revenue stream for producers. Your support is essential to the continued success of the Port Townsend Farmers Market.

If you want to join the special group that helps bring this feast to our town on Wednesdays and Saturdays, call the business office or email: info@ptfarmersmarket.org to volunteer, or join the Friends of the Market. There is more information about our programs at www.ptfarmersmarket.org.

See you at the Market on opening day,
May 5, 2007!