FARMERS MARKET GUIDE FOR KITSAP, NORTH MASON AND EAST JEFFERSON COUNTIES
Customers and farmers alike are gearing up for this weekend’s opening of two of our area’s biggest farmers markets – Bainbridge and Poulsbo. Port Gamble and Keyport are already operating and 13 farmers’ markets throughout Kitsap, North Mason, and East Jefferson counties will be opening at various times up throughout the season.
Dragonly Summer Market Fun
This makes our area one of the most popular in the state for farmers markets says Poulsbo Market Manager, Jackie Aitcheson, who is also executive director of the Washington State Farmers Market Association. She says she is opening ten new markets in the state so far this year, including two in Kitsap – they’re in Keyport and Suquamish.
“Folks in Kitsap will have be able to shop a farmers market every day of the week except Monday. We are anticipating a very successful season for all of our member markets as more and more people want to support their local farmers and producers,” said Aitcheson.
BAINBRIDGE ISLAND:
Where: Town Square at City Hall Park, 280 Madison Ave. N
When: Saturdays, April 11 – Oct. 17, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Info: www.bainbridgefarmersmarket.com
Bainbridge Farmers’ Market Manager, Susan VanderWey, says they are looking forward to a big celebration for the opening of the market this Saturday. At least three new farmers and a shellfish vendor will be added this year and she says several regular farmers are planning to expand. On Saturday, horse and wagon rides will be available and free drawings held throughout the day.
“For our opening, Mayor Darlene Kordenoy will be assuming bridal stance and flinging the traditional ceremonial Goat Cheese into the waiting throngs. Whoever snags the cheese wins a market basket and a host of coupons redeemable for vendor-donated gifts,” says VanderWey.
Bainbridge Island Market Supports Local Farmers
BELFAIR:
Where: Theler Center south parking lot, Highway 3, south of Belfair
When: Saturdays, May 2 – Sept 26, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Info: www.belfairfarmersmarket.com
BREMERTON:
Where: Corner Pacific Avenue and Sheldon Blvd. near Evergreen Rotary Park
When: Thursdays, May 14 – October
Info. www.bremertonmarket.com or (360) 440-5139
GIG HARBOR (2 LOCATIONS AND DAYS):
Where and When:
First location: Saturdays, April 4 – Sept. 26, 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Kimball Drive on west side of Highway 16 off Wollochet exit
Second location: Wed., June 3 – Aug. 26, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Skansie Brothers Park, downtown Gig Harbor
HANSVILLE (DRAGONFLY SUMMER MARKET)
Where: Dragonfly Farms, 34881 Hansville Road, Hansville
When: Sundays, May 3 – Oct. 4, Noon – 4 p.m.
Info: (360) 638-1292
New last year was the Hansville Market, which will also be known as the Dragonfly Summer Market. With a beautiful scenic location in the pasture at Dragonfly Farms on the Hansville Highway a half-mile from Eglon, farm owners Dave and Heidi Kaster say it’s a perfect spot for a Sunday afternoon drive. They say they will have at least three new produce farmers this season and will also have a new vendor with goat products, including cheese. With two greenhouses on the farm, she says they will have plenty of vegetables for their May 3 opening and lots vegetable starts.
“We also have farm tours available by appointment on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and products available on the tours,” says Heidi.
"Window Shopping" at Hansville Farmers Market
KEYPORT
Where: Island Jamz restaurant, downtown Keyport
When: Fridays, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. January – closing date not yet determined
Info: (360) 830-9565 or (360) 471-8219
With a January opening indoors inside the Island Jamz restaurant, the new Keyport Farmers Market was the first to open this year. Market Manager, Monica Phillips, who also manages the Silverdale Farmers’ Market (opening April 21), said the market will stay inside until the weather warms. She says she is surprised at the large ratio of farmers to craft vendors at this growing Friday market.
“The Keyport Market has a lot of vegetables and vegetable starts and Luigi brings in a big supply of his wonderful artisan breads,” says Phillips.
Color and flavor at the Hansville Farmers Market
Anne Burkhardt's patio starts for the Keyport Farmers Market
KINGSTON
Where: Mike Wallace Park next to Kingston ferry terminal
When: Saturday, May 2 – Oct 10, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Info: www.kingstonfarmersmarket.com
One of the vendors who supplies both the Keyport and Kingston (opening May 2) farmers markets is Anne Burkhardt. With a farm in Sequim and nursery in Poulsbo, Burkhardt does a lot of traveling to bring her well-known herbs and produce to market. Beginning May 4, she’s also teaching another seven-week series of the popular Urban Vegetable Gardening classes with partner Gayle Larson. Reach them at (360) 981-7127 or at dancingravendesign@comcast.net to sign up.
“Despite another cold spring, we’re all excited about the upcoming farmers market season and look forward to even more people discovering how important it is to buy and eat locally produced food,” says Burkhardt.
PORT GAMBLE
Where: Highway 104 and Puget Way
When: Sundays, April 5 – Sept. 27, 11 a.m – 4 p.m.
Info: (360) 297-8074 or www.portgamble.com
PORT ORCHARD
Where: Waterfront off Bay Street downtown Port Orchard
When: Saturdays, April 25 – Oct. 10, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Info: www.pofarmersmarket.org
PORT TOWNSEND (TWO LOCATIONS AND DAYS)
First location: Saturdays, May 2- Nov. 21, 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. on Tyler Street at Lawrence
Second location: Wednesday, June 10 – Sept. 30, 3:30 – 6:30 p.m. on Pike Street at Lawrence
Info: www.ptfarmersmarket.org (360) 379-9088
POULSBO
Where: Poulsbo Village Medical/Dental Center at Iverson Street and Seventh Avenue
When: Saturday, April 11 – Oct. 17, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Info: www.poulsbofarmersmarket.org
New at the Poulsbo Farmers’ Market this year is its participation in a pilot technology program through the Washington State Farmers Market Association that allows them to accept EBT food stamps, credit and debit, Quest, and SNAP cards. In addition to featuring more than 50 vendors it will continue with chef demos such as John Nesby at Mor-Mor and Tomas Navarre from Breezy Hill Bistro. A full compliment of music including Latin jazz, opera, Celtic, and Cajun music will again be presented and the North Kitsap High School marching and jazz bands will kick off the opening.
Anne Burkhardt and Kim at the Poulsbo Farmers Market
SILVERDALE
Where: Silverdale Beach Hotel parking lot at 3073 Bucklin Hill Road
When: Tuesdays, April 21 – Sept. 29, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Info: (360) 471-8219 or (360) 830-9565
For its 11th season, Phillips says the Silverdale Farmers Market will have four new farmers, including a vendor for Moscovy duck eggs and the majority of the vendors will be in food products. Also new this year will be workshops and seminars on a variety of topics including worm composting and tips on pruning.
SUQUAMISH
Where: Corner of Suquamish Way and Division in downtown Suquamish
When: Wednesdays, June 3 – Oct. 14, 3 – 7 p.m.