Located in a new venue at the south side of the Rotary Evergreen Park (at the north end of Pacific Avenue), the market opening was also celebrated by some lively music played by the 56th Army Band from Fort Lewis.
Bremerton Farmers Market Has A Lot To Offer
About 15 vendors brought a large variety of veggie starts, vegetables, over-wintered carrots, delectable spinach, asparagus and a good mix of arts and crafts.
Returning vendors Chuck Muller and Eileen Maroney of Sundown Ridge Farm sported a table full of their famous jams and jellies, including pear and a to-die-for rhubarb raspberry. All were available for tasting.
Sundown Ridge Jams and Jellies
Next door, Jean Schanen and Glenn Huff of “Start Now” had an abundant display of the produce grown strictly on their urban rooftop. They even have eight fruit trees and grow melons, corn and spinach that grow up over their living quarters. The pair is more than willing to share their knowledge of rooftop gardening with anyone interested.
“We grew 250 pints of raspberries and strawberries last year,” said Huff. “And we had terrific crops of just about everything else too.”
Across the aisle, first-year market vendor, Doug Millard had a nice display of herbs and vegetables. He’s selling items that he grows on a 70 by 70 foot area but he also supplies produce for 20 people whom he contacts by e-mail to inform them of what’s available that week. His specialties include 11 varieties of tomatoes and 12 of peppers. As a professional landscape artist, he also helps people design raised beds to grow crops for their own consumption.
As the band finished their last number, market board president John Bridger walked over to thank them and offer some on-the-house sodas from the tasty assortment vendor Hummingbird Hill has to offer.
56th Army Band from Fort Lewis
“These sodas are the best… with a variety that no one else has,” said Bridger.
Bridger and his partner, David Johnson, who is market board vice-president, are excited about the new location and their Sylvan Flowers and Garden booth was brimming with flowers, veggie starts and a variety of herbs.
Dave Johnson and John Bridger
They own a half acre of land, are clearing another five, and looking for more acreage. They say they will be supplying fresh produce for their own business, Henry’s Deli and Café, in the Norm Dicks Center as well as the farmers’ market. They also plan to bring fresh fruit in from east of the mountains that isn’t as available here.
“Our mayor helped select this location and we can’t thank him enough for paying for the permitting – we’ve had the best turnout we’ve ever had for an opening,” said Bridger.