Harbingers of spring tend to be daffodils and blooming forsythia or sweet birdsong at dawn, but in Port Townsend, we go a step further and celebrate the season with the opening of our Farmers Market.
Where else can you enjoy a goat parade with kids—both four-legged and two—as they wend their way along Taylor Street in Uptown Port Townsend through an array of farmers, bakers, crafters, shellfish growers, winemakers, cidermakers and more?
It all begins on Saturday, April 5th, promptly at 9 a.m. as 50 vendors spring forward into the freshness of the season with a wide array of products for your enjoyment. For more info about the market, go to: www.jeffersoncountyfarmersmarket.org.
New vendors at the market
The market has a bumper crop of new vendors this year. Port Townsend’s own Propolis will be selling and sampling their seasonal herbal ales at the market. Victor and Olga Paz, of Olgita’s, will be selling handmade tortillas, salsas and pupusas (Latin American style stuffed tortillas—meat, cheese, bean or all three). Meredith Hotchkiss of Bread and Honey Bakery will be making her debut at the market with pies and cakes and pastries and other sweet things. Cherepashka Candle Company is bringing their handmade, all natural soy and coconut wax candles scented with pure essential oils. Blyn’s new Gathering Ground Farm will bring a bounty of mixed vegetables, berries and flowers, all cultivated with horse power. As in actual horses. And Olympic Onion will be selling their Sequim-grown dried green onion powders.
Changing it up this season
Dabob Kabobs, the market’s maker of local meats on a stick is changing up their menu this year to include stir fries that utilize even more fresh market produce. Virginie Borque’s award winning one woman Lullaby Wines will be selling a variety of handmade macaroons to be eaten and paired with samples of her wines. Virginie hails from Provence originally, and everything she makes honors and expands on her French upbringing.
Midori Farm has moved. The formerly Port Townsend based farm has relocated to the greener pastures of Quilcene, on acreage that lies between longtime market vendors Serendipity Farm and Wildwood Farm. Last year, Dharma Ridge relocated to Quilcene to take over the large and fertile Bolton Farm, and Colinwood farm’s Jesse Hopkins has purchased and planted on the farmland next to Midori. The warmer climate and cheaper land is leading to a new farming renaissance in the remaining fields of the former timber town.
Go green—cycle to the market
Take a cue from Rick Altman, owner of Cape Cleare Salmon, and ride your bike to the market. He’s an inspiration, encouraging people to cycle more. Read their bicycling story:
We have moved over 100, 000 pounds of salmon by pedal power, hauling up to 1/8 of a ton as much as 20-mile round trips. Ninety five percent of the salmon we sell locally is delivered by bicycle. Our dedicated cyclists: Rick, Heidi and Pam, pedal this precious cargo in rain, snow and shine.
The salmon is packed in insulated boxes, strapped to our custom-fabricated trailer made from an aluminum ladder, and delivered with the same care and attention that we bring to everything we do.
We believe in bicycles as a viable alternative to motorized vehicles. We’d like to see bicycles used more often in business and commerce.
See you at the market on two wheels!
From farm to market to table—a day in the life of Chef Laurette
See how Chef Laurette Feit finds fresh, seasonal ingredients to create local delicacies for her guests at Sweet Laurette Bistro.