Farmers are the heart and soul of any farmers market, and they are, indeed, the very core of the Maple Valley Farmers Market.
Maple Valley Farmers Market. Victoria Laise-Jonas, president and market manager, said, “King County is home to an impressive selection of farmers’ Markets whose primary mission is to benefit local/regional farmers by providing a place to sell their products directly to customers. Farmers markets also benefit the communities in which they are located by providing a huge array of delicious fresh food, impressive artisan wares, live entertainment and an enjoyable gathering place. The market is proud to be part of this farmers market network and pleased to offer affordable and healthful products sold directly from the farm, in their freshest possible state, increasing access to fresh fruits and vegetables for our children and families to enjoy. This year, the market has 23 farmers/ranchers/vintners signed up throughout the market season selling produce, fruit, flowers, lavender, honey, milk, cheese, wine, blueberries, tomatoes, garden plants, eggs, beef, worm tea, and alpaca fleece and products.”
Because farmers are so essential to the market, Saturday, Aug. 7, as been designated as Farmers Day in Maple Valley. To recognize these farmers, the market Board of Directors will be presenting a state proclamation signed by Gov. Christine Gregoire.
The markets farmers are currently selling seasonal produce, including beautiful heirloom tomatoes, peaches, plums, zucchini, cucumbers, an array of lettuces/greens, and fresh flowers. Additionally, the prepared food booths fill the stomachs of hungry shoppers with such delicacies as freshly-baked bagels, locally made biscotti, watermelon gazpacho, creamy garlic spread, kettle corn, and plate-size donuts. Cheese samples are available from Silver Springs Creamery, and marinated vegetables and olives can also be sampled at McSweet’s weekly booth. Local, organic beef and raw milk are also available. And, of course, a sampling of artists is available each week to sell their creations, with new artists every week of the Market.
One of the newest market vendors, Sweet as Can BEE Honey, raises bees and offers an array of hand-bottled, chemical-free, natural varietal honeys that can be sampled on a pretzel stick–flavors include spicy habanero honey, old-fashioned cinnamon cream honey, cold-infused vanilla honey, chocolate honey, and honey sticks. Bee pollen is also available for those with allergies. The business was founded in 2005 by Chef Isaac Frerichs, currently teaching at Le Cordon Bleu in Seattle, who joined forces in 2009 with honey specialist Angela Graham. Frerich and Graham strive “to raise healthy hearty bees in the Pacific Northwest and to offer honey lovers quality honey free of chemicals, antibiotics, pasteurization, and free from ultra filtering.” Their honey is now sold at twenty-four local farmers markets, as well as special events and craft shows – sweetascanbeehoneyfarm.com.
(http://sweetascanbeehoneyfarm.com/2010/01/farmers-market-2010).
Other special events on Farmers Day include a booth by the Enumclaw Master Gardeners, who will provide advice on how visitors can hone their own farming skills in their backyards.
The Maple Valley Touchdown Boosters, a nonprofit organization that is part of Booster Parents USA, will host a booth, as well. The Boosters provide meals during two-a-day practices in August and pre-game dinners, host special events throughout the season, buy items to toss to the crowd after touchdowns, purchase needed equipment, offer scholarships for University of Puget Sound Football Camp and for a graduating senior, and assist players with the new pay-to-play fee. To help them accomplish these goals, they will be selling Bear jewelry, spirit wear, advertising space in the program, raffle tickets for a handmade Tahoma Bears football quilt, and tickets to the third annual Dinner/Auction (held October 16, 2010). Donations to the team and the Auction will also be accepted. Jennifer Wonio, fundraising chairman, said, “We are able to accomplish our work only by the volunteers supported by our wonderful parents, grandparents, family members and friends of our football players.”
Also, to raise awareness for breast cancer, Bust Buddies, a group of nine friends and family members who, according to team captain Dawn Pringle, believe that “everyone deserves a lifetime,” will sell water, cupcakes, candy, pink awareness bracelets and halos, as well as raffle tickets for a Miche purse with the Hope shell and a handmade quilt. Proceeds will be used for their participation in for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure, a 60-mile walk over the course of three days, which supports breast cancer research and community programs. More information and online donations are available at www.the3day.org.
www.the3day.org.
Finally, the Maple Valley Food Bank and Emergency Services will also be present to provide information about local hunger and to collect food and backpack donations. More information can be found in a separate article in this issue of Voice of the Valley.
A day at the Market wouldn’t be complete without entertainment, and local ukulele artist Diane Thom will share her love of the instrument, along with favorite songs. Market visitors are invited to sing along or just come to listen.
With the market’s season nearly half-way finished, local residents should hurry on over this Saturday at Rock Creek Elementary between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., as it’s the Saturday morning place to be.
