Article by Linda Kissam
Photos by Allan Kissam

There are a hundred different reasons to support farmers markets, but probably the three most important are getting to savor produce at the peak of freshness, meeting the people who grow the food, and supporting American family farms.  It’s a feel good process we should all indulge in more often.

One of the biggest benefits to you and I to visit and purchase at a local framers market are the fruits and vegetables are simply the freshest and tastiest available. Fruits are not snatched up too early for a long ride to far away markets. Instead they are allowed to ripen fully in the field and are brought directly to you—no long-distance shipping, no gassing to simulate the ripening process, no sitting for weeks in storage. This food is fresh from the farm.

One of the best farmers markets in the Northwest is the Olympia Farmers Market in Olympia, Washington.

10 AM – 3 PM

JANUARY – MARCH | SATURDAY ONLY

APRIL – OCTOBER | THURSDAY – SUNDAY

NOVEMBER – DECEMBER | SATURDAY & SUNDAY

700 N CAPITOL WAYOLYMPIA, WA 98512

(360) 352-9096

Located in Olympia, Washington Swantown Marina and Percival Landing, just a few feet from the water.

Their mission statement pretty much says it all. “To promote and encourage the development of local, small scale agriculture and ensure a dynamic balance for small, local growers and others to make their products to residents of this Community.”  This simply means that an environment for producers and shoppers is created where locals and visitors come together to have a direct relationship. The fact that this market, like so many across the US, also acts as a small business incubator providing a platform for the vendors to grow and prosper is just one more reason to support their efforts.

The Olympia Farmers Market has been serving the community for 41 years.  It offers seasonal local produce, artesian crafts (high to low prices), bakery items, a sausage counter, a full service meat counter, seven restaurants and the occasional pet treat stand. All this is set to daily music and a fun vibrant atmosphere.  If you come by boat, you can tie up for 4 hours free of charge and the walk is about 2 minutes.  If you drive, there is plenty of free parking and the walk is about 1 minute.

Open about 152 days a year, the market sees approximately 400,000 visitors a year. There’s a reason it is so popular. With all those fresh goods, sustainable attitude and a fun event feel, it’s quite likely this “jewel of Olympia” will be welcoming all of us for many many years to come.

Shops of note to be on the lookout for

BLUE HERON BAKERY

CALLIOPE FARM

GREAT THINGS IN GLASS

HEADBANDS: PIECES TO PIECES

HOT BABE HOT SAUCE

JOHNSONS’S SMOKEHOUSE

KIRSOP FARM

LEFT BANK PASTRY

MARION POLLMANN CLAY ART

METAL WORKS DESIGN & CUT

MILLER LAVENDER

PAPER MATTERS

SEA BLOSSOMS SEAFOOD

SILENT GODDESS (Jewelry)