Olympia Farmers Market Opens

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Circle the first Thursday in April on your calendar.  For the past 35 years, this date marks the opening of the Olympia Farmers Market.  While the height of the season is still a few months away, Thurston County residents are ready to visit the market to buy groceries, pick up flowers, grab seeds and starts, and chat with favorite farmers.

Charlie Haney, Market Manager for the past 20 years, estimates that 250,000 people visit the Market each year.  “We are sustained by the local community who buy groceries at the Market.  Tourists enjoy visiting but we rely on local people buying food here,” Haney reports.

“I often see customers here from the opening bell until we close.  They buy groceries, eat lunch and listen to music.  Many of our customers believe that shopping at the Market is their way of contributing back to the community.  It feels good to contribute to the sustainability of our area,” describes Haney.

While she is quick to avoid picking “favorites”, Haney is very fond of heirloom tomatoes.  Long-time patron Jessica Peternell comes for the “fresh flowers and the free apples.”

The clear benefit of shopping at the Market is knowing that the produce has been picked fresh this morning.  “I am inspired walking down the aisles at the Market.  The beautiful displays spark my creativity to try a new dish.  The vendors are always helpful and offer advice about the best way to prepare their produce,” reports customer Karli Plughoff.

Customers also enjoy the live music.  Interested musicians submit a demo and the Market staff selects the performers.  “We get a few new musicians every year.  Most are local people and bands that you will see other places around town.  They like to play here and many accept Market Bucks as payment which they then turn around and spend at Market vendors,” Haney explains.

The Olympia Farmers Market is unique in that it is the only market in Washington State that is vendor owned and operated.  “Most other markets are operated by a separate non-profit.  In our case, our farmers run the market so it’s truly representative of farmers’ needs,” says Haney.

Olympia Farmers Market vendors must live, make or grow their products in Thurston, Mason, Lewis or Grays Harbor (east of the Wynoochee River) Counties.  The Market also permits two fruit resellers since they provide produce that does not grow well in Western Washington.

Haney is excited to report that all farmers are returning this year.  This year, the Market will feature two new guest vendors on Thursdays and Fridays.  “We will have a woman from Yelm selling candles and another vendor offering body oils and aromatherapy,” explains Haney.

“Eat cleanly and absolutely fresh, shrink your carbon footprint, support local jobs and meet your friends.  Our Farmers Market is a win for all who participate.

It’s hard to beat that,” comments customer and nutrition writer Mary Ellen Psaltis.

 

Visit the Olympia Farmers Market

First Thursday in April through Last Sunday before Christmas

Thursday – Sunday during April – October

10:00 am – 3:00 pm

Saturday and Sunday during November and December

10:00 am – 3:00 pm

The Olympia Farmers Market also opens on December 22 – 24 for a last minute shopper’s delight.  In its sixth year, Haney states that the special event just gets more and more popular.

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