Second farmers market opening in Silverdale

Residents will soon be able to buy farmer-to-you produce in two locations in Silverdale

SILVERDALE — Residents will soon be able to buy farmer-to-you produce in two locations in Silverdale.

The new Central Kitsap Farmers Market opens at 3 p.m. May 2 next to Waterfront Park in Old Town Silverdale. The market is organized by the Kitsap Community and Agriculture Alliance (www.kitsapag.org). The market is scheduled 3-7 p.m. Tuesdays from May 2 to Oct. 10.

KCAA board president Holly James said the market will feature products from local farmers, artisans, food vendors, and crafters.

“We decided to create the new market in response to the Central Kitsap community’s request to provide a centralized outlet for producers and access to fresh, healthy foods,” James said in an announcement of the venture. “CKFM — Central Kitsap Farmers Market — is in keeping with the basic thrust of our mission statement.”

KCAA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting agriculture, farmers, and agricultural education on the Kitsap Peninsula.

Meanwhile, the Silverdale Farmers Market, which was formerly located next to Waterfront Park, will open at 10 a.m. May 2 in the Best Buy parking lot at 9551 NW Ridgetop Blvd., Silverdale. That market will operate from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays from May 2 through September.

According to the KCAA, farmers markets are growing in popularity because of increasing consumer interest in obtaining fresh products directly from the farm.

“I am extremely pleased to have KCAA step up and be involved in the creation of the new CK Farmers Market,” said Nikki Johanson of Pheasant Fields Farm in Silverdale. “I know I can count on KCAA, with the established background they represent, to run this non-profit market in a business-like manner. What that means to me is we can count on a higher level of standards that will assure a variety of quality local products that will please both local customers and farmers. As a local farmer, this new market sure pleases me and I am very thankful that the Port of Silverdale is giving us a home.”

KCAA’s market will accept EBT/SNAP and Fresh Bucks, and plans on providing WIC and Senior Nutrition Incentives in 2018.

James said she sees the Central Kitsap Farmers Market and the Silverdale Farmers Market as complementing, not competing against, each other.

“They hit different audiences,” she said. “Our market, from 3-7 p.m., is going to hit that range of time when people are getting off work. Community members and producers came to us, saying, ‘We need a farmers market during times we can frequent it.’ Enough people came to us that we felt it was a good thing to do. Securing the Old Town waterfront lease from the port was key. People like coming to the waterfront.”

With farmers markets in two locations, people have better access to farm-fresh produce, James said. “You can’t have enough fresh produce and vegetables,” she said.

The two farmers markets take place on Tuesdays because vendors sell at farmers markets scheduled other days of the week in other cities. Farmers markets in Kitsap:

TUESDAYS

  • Silverdale Farmers Market: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. May 2 through September, Best Buy parking lot, 9551 Ridgetop Blvd. NW, Silverdale.
  • Central Kitsap Farmers Market: 3-7 p.m. May 2 to Oct. 10, next to Waterfront Park in Old Town Silverdale.

WEDNESDAYS

  • Suquamish Farmers Market: 3-7 p.m. May 3 to Sept. 27, across from the Tribal Government Offices.

THURSDAYS

  • Bremerton Farmers Market: 4-7 p.m. May 4 to Oct. 12, Evergreen Park.

SATURDAYS

  • Bainbridge Island Farmers Market: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 1 to Dec. 16, Town Square/City Hall.
  • Kingston Farmers Market on the Cove: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May to mid-October, Mike Wallace Park.
  • Port Orchard Farmers Market: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. mid-April to mid-October, Port Orchard Waterfront Boardwalk.
  • Poulsbo Farmers Market, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 1 to Dec. 16, Gateway Fellowship, 18901 8th Ave. NE, Poulsbo.