It's cool and rainy. It's warm and sunny. It's spring. And that means Seattle's farmers markets are opening. If you want a handy place to find out where they're located and when they're open, check out the website of The Neighborhood Farmers Market Alliance (NFMA). It is a non-profit organization, it says, "dedicated to supporting local farmers and helping to keep local farmland in production. " It helps organize seven farmers markets in Seattle, where farmers direct-sell their produce to shoppers.
They are:
Broadway - open Sundays 11 a.m. -3 p.m. starting May 11
Phinney - open Fridays 3 p.m. -7 p.m. starting May 16
Lake City - open Thursdays 3 p.m. -7 p.m. starting June 5
Magnolia - open Saturdays 10 a.m. -2 p.m. starting June 7
Columbia City - open Wednesdays 3 p.m. -7 p.m. open now - Oct. 22
U-District - open Saturdays 9 a.m. -2 p.m. year-round
West Seattle - open Sundays 10 a.m. -2 p.m. year-round
There are other farmers markets, including on Wednesdays in my neighborhood, Wallingford. Maybe someone can explain how it, and others, are different. Just not part of the NFMA?
What do you most look forward to buying, once the markets open?
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7 comments:
The farmers' market in Lake Forest Park starts this Sunday. 11-4 or 5 are the hours, I think.
Strawberries!
I am going to miss Broadway's opening weekend, but after that I will be a regular shopper. Today I stopped by Pike Place Market and picked up strawberries that were bigger than the palm of my hand, and fresh asparagus that was grown in Washington state, the first of the season! I can't wait to eat it.
There are a number of farmers' markets in Snohomish County as well. Below is the link I found listing them. We have gone to the one in Edmonds on Saturdays during the summer. I love buying fresh veggies, but also it's a fun thing to do on the weekends.
Here's the link for the Snohomish County markets - it also lists some local farms:
http://www.snohomish.org/index.php?page_id=527
What I love about farmer's markets are vegetable sprouts to plant in your garden (I bought tomatoes, and will be getting kale and lettuces soon). But I'm a little miffed about my local market in West Seattle -- there are very few that sell vegetables or fruit, just flowers.
If you check on the seasonal harvest calendars for the Puget Sound region, you'll find that most produce actually starts coming in during the month of May and lasts through October/November. That's why the farmers markets have more flowers, kitch, and pantry staples such as onions, potatoes, and honey. There's not much to harvest right now.
For Wesa....
I did note that. However, last year, my husband said he didn't remember it being much better post-May, unless you like roots, beats, turnips, and other longer-lasting items. So we started busing into Pike Place Market and getting our produce there.
Then again, West Seattle does not have many vegan/vegetarian restaurants, so maybe their just following the trend.
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