It's a sunny Sunday afternoon in Everett and you're not sure what you want to do or even eat for lunch, so you did the sensible thing and went downtown. Everyone seems to be headed the same direction, so you join the crowd and stroll toward Wetmore Avenue. While some people head toward Funko, most turn the other direction into a closed block marked with colorful banners. Live music plays, and the unmistakable, delicious smell of kettle corn reminds you how hungry you are.

You're in the right place.

The Everett Farmers Market, now in its 31st season, is one of many incredible farmers markets you can find all over Snohomish County every summer. Like many modern markets, the focus is local, fresh produce, but other artisans and vendors make it a bigger, better event.

Yuliya Wilson of the West Coast Dumpling Company is back for her second year at the market. "I sell authentic pierogies and pelmenis, we hand roll them and make everything from scratch. We bring you the experience, but we take on all the hard work." She agrees that her products are a great way to build a farmers market-fresh meal. "The vegetables and sauces you can find at the farmers market go very well with the pierogies and pelmenis, they're very adaptable."

Ronnee Ramirez of Skagit Gourmet Mushrooms says the company has sold at the markets in Everett and Edmonds for 8-9 years, far longer than she's been with the company. "I like the community vibe of the farmers markets. I like getting to know the regulars and new people every week." Farmers markets have been a way for Skagit Valley Mushrooms to sell consistently through the years, but now the company is growing. "We're still family owned and very small, but we are expanding to a bigger farm this summer so we'll have a lot more varieties of mushrooms. It's taken ten years to get where we are, so it's been a process, but business is booming because the mushroom industry is taking off."

Sarah Dylan Jensen, Snohomish Farmers Market Director, says farmers markets have a lot of similar success stories. "We're proud to be a gathering place, a food-access hub, and a business incubator; several of our vendors have gone on to open brick and mortar stores locally, and still come to the market each week!"

Fresh fruits and vegetables, food trucks, friends, and fun are all part of the farmers market formula that keep shoppers and vendors like Rick Jarvis of Zooty Soap Company coming back. "This is our fourth year and the thing I like best about the Everett Farmers Market is the colorful people who come through here. It's really fun! People bring their dogs and there's entertainment, and we have a lot of friends here. It's a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon."

A farmers market is a great starting point for a fun day out. Wander over to one after brunch nearby, check out neighboring antique stores, or even catch a matinee. Pack a cooler in the car so you don't have to leave in a hurry.

Many of the markets below participate in SNAP Market Match, the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP), and the Women, Infant, and Children Farmers Market Nutrition Program (WIC FMNP). Stop by the information booth at each market to learn which vendors are helping make locally-grown, healthy food more accessible and equitable.

Arlington Farmers Market

114 N. Olympic Ave

Saturdays 10am-2pm, May 11-September 28

Edmonds Museum Summer Market

118 5th Ave N

Saturdays 9am-2pm, May 4-October 19

Everett Farmers Market

2930 Wetmore Ave

Sundays 10:30am-3pm, Mother's Day through the end of October


Granite Falls Farmers Market

106 Cascade Ave (next to Lyla's Cafe)

Sundays June 2-August 25

Lake Stevens Farmers Market

North Cove Park, 1806 Main St

Wednesdays 3-7pm, June-August

Marysville 3rd Street Farmers Market

300 State Ave (at 3rd)

Fridays 3-7pm, June-August

Monroe Farmers Market

1 Galaxy Way

Fridays 3-7pm, May 31-September 27

Snohomish Farmers Market

Corner of Cedar and Pearl

Thursdays 3-7pm, May-September

Stanwood Farmers Market

8727 271st St NW

Fridays 2-6pm, June-September

Sultan Farmers Market

River Park, 101 Main St

10am-2pm, May 18-September 28