Just like you, the Tumwater Farmers Market staff, vendors and volunteers are happy to be welcoming the warmer months. Market Manager Brooke Pugliese says the outdoor market’s June 9, 2024 opening day for the 2024 season is a great opportunity to support local farms and businesses, plus visit with community members. “We really want the community to support each other and buy local,” she says.
The market is located at the Peter G. Schmidt Elementary School in Tumwater on the second and fourth Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., through September 22, 2024. The market offers local fruits and vegetables, baked goods, plant starts, flowers, smoked salmon, mushrooms, art, jewelry, soaps, candles, and delicious food truck items, plus live music by local musicians.
Tumwater Farmers Market Spotlights Products From Local Farms and Vendors
All products sold at the Tumwater Farmers Market are made locally. Pugliese says participating vendor farms are from Thurston and Lewis counties. “We want to bring the community together by helping each other,” Pugliese says.
She says seven farms have signed up so far in 2024. One of those farms is Summit Farms in Thurston County. Summit Farms co-owner Mitch Lewis is also the new Tumwater Farmers Market board president. He donned the hat previously worn by Amanda Weyrauch before she stepped down as president following 17 years of service to the market.
“This is truly a community market,” says Lewis. He adds that the market is a great way for local small crafters, vendors and farmers who are starting out to get their business going. Pugliese estimates that between 30 to 40 local vendors of farms plus other businesses will sign up this year. Information on vendor applications is on the market’s website, Facebook page and Instagram. Watch the market’s website to see final list of 2024 vendors.
Live Music and Activities Return to 2024 Tumwater Farmers Market
The 2024 season again brings in live music and other activities to enjoy while shopping at the market. Those events feature local groups offering something for all ages. Chairs will be set up where you can relax, visit, eat, and listen to music and watch dancers. Pugliese says they want the market to be a welcoming environment, and comfortable for kids and leashed pets as well.
Here are great things to do at the market in addition to buying and eating delicious local foods.
- Musical Entertainment. Each market day will feature a musical event. For example, the June 9 opening day presents Samba Olywa, a popular percussion and dance group. Another upcoming participating group this season is The Jacked Lords, described as “Olympia’s premier surf band performing classic and original surf tunes from the 60s to present.” The Tumwater High School Dance Team has also performed in the past. Come check out the entertainment!
- Playground. The Peter G. Schmidt Elementary School playground will be open during market hours.
- Kids Day. This year, every day will be a “Kids Day” where children under the age of 18 are given $2 of market tokens to be used that day for purchasing items from market vendors.
- Market Merchandise. Pugliese says new market merch, such as Tumwater Farmers Market hats, cups, shirts and more will be available for purchase
- Raffles. Raffles are back this year as well, with giveaways of market-themed merchandise, vendor discounts and vendor products.
- School Supply Drive. At the end of the summer, the market will be accepting school supplies for the 2024-2025 academic school year.
Tumwater Farmers Market Participates in Programs that Support Access to Healthy Fresh Food
The Tumwater Farmers Market takes part in programs to support access to healthy fresh food. “Not a lot of community members know that,” says Pugliese.
The market accepts SNAP/EBT and participates in SNAP Market Match. “SNAP Market Match is a nutrition incentive program that helps families and individuals who use Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)/EBT benefits increase their ability to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables from local farmers markets,” the market explains. And many farms at the Tumwater Farmers Market accept WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) benefits, with several farms accepting Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) benefits.
More details are on the market’s website.
Join the Community While You Buy Local at the Tumwater Farmers Market
Welcome long-awaited spring and summer as you join the community for a midday break and buy local at the Tumwater Farmers Market. Look for the signs directing you to the Peter G. Schmidt Elementary School staff parking lot, on the corner of Capitol Boulevard Southeast and Dennis Street Southeast in Tumwater. Parking is free.
Tumwater Farmers Market
June 9 – September 22, 2024
Second and Fourth Sundays
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Peter G. Schmidt Elementary School
237 Dennis Street SE, Tumwater
Sponsored
