Farmers Markets for the Pickin’: A Guide to Fresh

In what may have been the most miserable of Pacific Northwest Springs, our local farmers were a good month late getting crops in the ground, what with record breaking low temperatures that refused to warm the soils, unseasonable flooding, constant rain, lack of available hay, increased fuel prices and…. the list goes on and on. 

It’s been a tough year for our farmers. Even so, at nearly a dozen markets across the local landscape, between Wednesday and Sunday, there will be a market opening up, selling the wares of our local crafters, farmers, ranchers, and creators of all kinds. 

Todd Macomber with Granite Falls’ Centennial Farm, Macomber Farms, says farmers and ranchers like him are showing up at the markets with their goods, no matter what. 

“That’s the beauty of agriculture,” Macomber said. “Whatever controversy comes, whatever the challenge, we figure out how to get through it and make it work.”

Macomber sells his grass-fed, British White beef, and pork from Pure Country Farm, one of the first sustainable hog farms in the country.

You’ll find Macomber’s meats in the Lake Stevens Farmers Market.

Ananda Farms’ organic veggies, flowers and tinctures can be purchased in Everett on Sundays and the Stanwood Farmers Market Fridays, leaving Saturdays for their farm store. Their 20, Camano Island acres saw a “mighty garlic crop this year.” 

The no-till farm is in its 10th year, after 20 like-minded individuals pooled their resources to buy the land. The yogis of the Yoga Ashram are “committed to farming with the best tools we have: our own two hands, and a love for life.”

Come to a local market near you for the fixing’s for tonight’s dinner, from all the fresh fruits and veggies that are Washington State’s bounty, to flash frozen fish — halibut, sablefish, lingcod and shrimp — caught in Alaskan or Pacific Northwest water off the St. John II and sold direct to consumer. 

Bread and treats by Artisan Grain bakery, the Scone Lady, handmade and artisan gourmet popsicles by West Coast Pops — all line their 10x10 booth up next to street food vendors and musicians plucking their guitars and squeezing their accordions for a little soul-saving warmth from tummy to ears.

Snohomish County’s agriculture coordinator Linda Neunzig, a rancher herself, said you can expect to see more limited supplies and higher prices at the markets — a reflection of the unseasonal weather and the climbing price of fuel and all farmer inputs. But Macomber said farmers won’t raise their prices to even cover their increased costs.

“I can’t raise the prices of my beef where people can’t afford it,” Macomber said.

“The weather inputs have been insane,” he said, noting local farms still have mud in their fields. “I don’t know how the story will ever get out — how hard these guys are at working the dirt and planting the food.”

So attend a market, and as you enjoy the salad inspired by the fresh, velvety purslane leaves or that purple-hued heirloom tomato you were blessed to find in the market, remember the farmer, and the “insane” year they plowed through to bring the meal to your table.

Stanwood

https://www.stanwoodfarmersmarket.org/

8727 271st St NW, Stanwood

Fridays 2-6 pm

June 3 - Oct 7

In its tenth year, the mighty Stanwood Farmers Market is committed to only offering locally-produced craft and foods. More than 50 vendors and nearly 1,000 visitors a week gather to celebrate the bounty of the earth. The market exists to promote the idea of shopping locally with local agricultural producers, food artisans and craftspeople.

Arlington Farmers Market

https://www.stillyvalleychamber.com/farmersmarket/

114 N. Olympic, Arlington

Saturdays 10 am-2 pm

May 7- Sept 24

And… a second location at

Stilly Valley Senior Center

18308 Smokey Point Blvd, Arlington

Fridays 4-7 pm

June 3- Aug 26

Fresh veggies, great meat, the best eggs, milk, butter and fish — the region’s farmers, bakers, and crafters gather at two Arlington markets this year. Come for goat cheese, meats, cheeses, baked goods, coffee, flowers, pickles, bacon pierogis, meats, cheeses, baked goods, coffee, flowers and pickles.

Everett Farmers Market

https://everettfarmersmarket.com/

2930 Wetmore Ave. Everett

Sundays 11 am-3 pm 

May 8 - Oct 30

In its 29th year, vendors of the Everett market find an eager crowd arriving for their seasonal strawberries, blueberries, hand-crafted salsas and sauces and more. This market found its success on the waterfront, but the Port of Everett’s re-invention into a destination waterfront (well underway this year) led the market to find a new, downtown location till they can return to their founding location.

Granite Falls Farmers Market

https://www.facebook.com/GraniteFallsFarmersMarket

Sundays, noon-4 pm

June 12 - Aug 28

100 Block of Cascade Ave from Stanley St to Galena St, Arlington

Fresh pastured-hen eggs, blackberry preserves, Gravenstein apple pies, hand-crafted earrings and candles, and a strong sense of community — the Granite Falls Farmers Market is small but mighty.

Edmonds Summer Market

https://historicedmonds.org/su...

Saturday, 9 am - 2 pm

May 7-Oct. 8

5th Ave. N & Bell St., Edmonds

Edmonds’ market, organized by the local historical museum, is an artisan market, with a strict rule that vendors all raise, grow, or create whatever golden nuggets they bring — fresh produce, pies, or wines. The market is a combination of the historical society’s spring and summer farmer’s market. Expect to see the best of the Pacific Northwest, and of the arts-focused Edmonds community, at the market.

Snohomish Farmers Market

www.snohomishfarmersmarket.org

Thursdays, 3-7 pm, May 5-Sept. 29

105 Cedar Ave., Snohomish

In its 31st season, this well-established market, one of the region’s largest, sets up shop every Thursday in the heart of the historic downtown of Snohomish. It’s an incredible opportunity to leisurely collect your brunch and dinner, before strolling the many antique stores, bakeries, and breweries of the historic downtown.

Lake Stevens Farmers Market

https://www.lakestevensfarmersmarket.org

Wednesdays, 3-7 pm

June 1-Aug. 31

1806 Main St., Lake Stevens

Lake Stevens, in the midst of a re-invention of its waterfront and downtown core, has the perfect place for its farmers market in North Cove Park on the lake’s shore. Take an easy stroll, bring the kids for the accessible park nearby, and stay for the views, and grill your market haul on the park grills nearby.

Monroe Farmers Market

https://www.facebook.com/monroewafarmers/

Wednesdays, 3-7 pm

May 25-Sept. 7

19881 US-2

Like many of the local markets, live music and food trucks are reason enough to seek the Monroe market out any given Wednesday through summer.

Sultan Farmers Market

https://www.sultanfarmersmarket.com/

Saturdays, 10 am- 2 pm

May 7-Oct. 1

2nd and Main, River Park

New to the market scene, offering a pop-up market for the second year in a row. Organized by the Sky Valley Chamber of Commerce, the market supports local farmers and artisans. The second Saturday of the Month, young entrepreneurs, ages 8-18 are offered a discounted rate to join the main market to sell their goods in a safe and fun environment.