The Kingston Farmers Market Season is well under way, with beautiful sunny days at the Port of Kingston.
During May, we’ve enjoyed fresh greens and plant starts, with an eye toward June’s wider array of fresh produce.
At the beginning of each season — 2012 is the market’s 23rd year — it is always wonderful to welcome back many of the vendors you have come to depend upon, such as Terrapin Farms from Hood Canal, Nash from the Sequim area, and Dharma Ridge from Jefferson County, plus numerous smaller scale farms in the produce arena. Lavender and Cha’s fresh-cut flowers. WSU Master Gardeners answering the most far-fetched garden questions, week after week. Of course, our artisan vendors and munchy-at-the-Market food and coffee drinks.
New this year is a local winery, thanks to recent Washington legislation allowing beer and wine sales at farmers markets. Piccola Cellars uses grapes from Washington, blended and processed locally, using a unique totally biodegradable bag container or refundable glass bottles. Hummingbird Hill Soda Company has also joined our market, plus unique desserts from Peru, a steady supply of organic eggs, and raw milk from reliable suppliers.
Another piece of legislation promises to support small-batch home producers of jams, jellies, and bakery items. We are seeing a welcome explosion of baked goods (read that: yummies) at the market! Cupcakes, breads of all sorts, cookies — many opportunities to satisfy your sweet tooth and nourish your soul.
Also coming in June: picture-taking on the Saturday before Father’s Day and new kids’ postcards. Each spring, elementary students at Wolfle and Gordon elementary schools submit postcard art for the market. KFM board members select their favorites and we produce postcards whose sale contributes to the market upkeep. Last year, we had to choose more than 100 entries and they are inspired!
Jim Bybee will perform June 2, He’s a fingerstyle guitar-looping virtuoso. Allyn Guthrie will perform acoustic rock and blues with attitude June 9.Chris Neil will perform country, folk and classic rock June 16. Valerie Markell’s indie/folk set will perform June 23. The Fe-Lions, original folk-rock, will perform June 30.
The music is upbeat and keeps toes dancing. See you on Saturday!
