Ellensburg Farmer's Market
Story by Katlyn White | Photos by Dylan Hanson
Salty aromas of lunch foods waft through the air as vendors sell their wares to residents walking around Fourth Avenue. The Ellensburg Farmers Market happens every Saturday from the months of May to October.
Local hand-crafted goods, produce and concessions can be found in the Farmer’s Market.
What goes into it?
To pick the vendors, Denise Horton, treasurer of the Famer’s Market Board of Directors, says, “We have a hierarchy, the farmers get first dibs. And then after that is farm value-added products, which means the farmers grow and make what they bring in. And then we do crafters and we go through a jury system. So we evaluate the crafters. We judge them and then we base entry on points.”
Who runs it?
The Board of Directors is the body that does the vetting process, according to Maryanna Schane, Director of Marketing and Sales of Wheel Line Cider and President of Board of Directors.
“We have two committee members,” Schane says. “Then we have the rest is vendor run. And then we have a president, vice president, secretary and treasurer … That's where we have different groups that will jury all the different vendors and then we also make sure that we're running smoothly.”
There is also a market manager and an assistant manager who will be in charge of the finances, but when that position is not filled the board will assist in making things run smoothly, according to Schane.
How does it make an impact on this community?
Horton says the event makes a big impact on the local community.
“People turn out and they're happy to be here. They visit. It's a community event,” says Horton.
The market helps the Ellensburg community become more in touch with the surrounding farmers and businesses.
Schane says, “It's a really good way for folks to come together and be able to buy local produce from within Washington, but more so within Yakima Ellensburg Kittitas areas.”
How many vendors?
The Farmers’ Market vendors consist of farm-fresh products, concessions, crafters and non-profit organizations. They have space for up to 82 vendors. According to Horton, each weekend has a differing amount based on whether or not vendors need double spaces or their availability.
“It's a balancing act,” Horton says. “Right now we don't have a lot of farm vendors because of seasons getting a late start. So we've allowed other vendors to come in that will have to leave when the farmers come in.”
Schane says they have a lot of new vendors this year. This includes 509 Philly Stop and Mami’s Spicy Ceviche.
They also have a lot of returning vendors. The most senior vendor would be Michael’s Garden which has been attending since the establishment of the market.
What can we find or do there that we can’t find at our local grocery stores?
Horton says that shoppers can find good food here as compared to shopping at grocery stores.
“It tastes different,” Horton says. “All our veggies taste a lot different.”
Schane says that everything is fresher and that you can find a lot more items like morel from Morel Adventures.
What is a tip or trick to successfully navigating the farmer's market?
“We have a vendor map online,” Schane says. “That is the best way to get on there. If you go onto our website, find the vendor map. Then you can see by Friday afternoon, who's going to be out there coming market and where to find them.”
For the freshest produce and a more diverse selection, come early.
“The busiest time here is around the lunch hour. It gets quite crowded,” Horton says. “We have a lot of serious produce shoppers who will come early and they're out.”