Another season of the Maple Valley Farmers Market is in the books and organizers are starting to think about the third season that will kick off in June 2011.

Dozens of vendors and hundreds of patrons were at the market every Saturday from June 19 through Oct. 9 at Rock Creek Elementary School.

Farmers Market Board President Victoria Laise-Jonas said in an e-mail interview that the second season was a success.

“I am very pleased with the success of our second year Farmers’ Market Season – it was a remarkable 17 week run,” Jonas said. “Our first year set the foundation of our market operations, so the planning efforts towards our second year primarily focused on recruiting and broadening our farmer base and we were successful in recruiting more local family ran farmers…”

Jonas said there were a total of 74 vendors with reported sales coming in at about $140,000 and an average weekly attendance of about 1,000 visitors and, “overall sales were up and attendance was up.”

Jonas was also happy to bring in new vendors such as the Daily Bagel, which offered fresh bagels made on site, as well as EJ’s Catering, Chelane’s Jams, Uncle Dennis’ Foods, and many more.

There was also a concerted effort, Jonas explained, to develop more themes for each market Saturday “so that we have an added attraction to draw in more customers.”

“I was pleased this year our Farmers Market became eligible — we were not eligible for our first year of operations — to participate in the National Farmers Market Nutrition Programs, which is made up of two federally authorized programs, the Women, Infants and Children voucher program and the Senior Farmers Market voucher program,” she said. “Our local residents who are low income living on a fixed income actually receive supplemental vouchers to spend at our Farmers Market.”

For Nicki Fromel, owner of Chelane’s Jams, her first season with her new business at the market went well.

“There’s been some ups and downs, but overall it’s been good for me,” Fromel said. “I’ve gotten my name out there. I’ve had tons of repeat customers. I’ve had people buy from me who had heard about my jams.”

It’s also been a learning experience, Fromel said.

“I have learned some stuff,” she said. “I’m not a terribly outspoken person but to get yourself out there (she has to be). I’ve learned samples are awesome. I’ve learned how to deal with customers better and how to run the business more efficiently.”

She has also taken in customer feedback and plans to offer sugar free alternatives for all eight flavors of her jams by sweetening it with stevia to ensure it will remain a natural product.

That’s something Fromel will bring with her next summer when the market returns.

“I’ve had tons of people asking for sugar free,” she said. “I do plan on coming back and doing the market next year.”

Jim McCaslin, owner of McSweet, is in his second year with the market. He sells gourmet pickled treats that are growing in popularity.

“Last year one of the differences was we had such great weather through the whole summer and that helps people come out,” McCaslin said. “Personally I’ve had a great summer. People have been looking for me. It helps to be here more than one summer… this is my second summer doing markets around the area so that helps with visibility.”

Like Fromel, McCaslin is a resident of Maple Valley, so it makes sense to be part of the market.

“I’m planning to come back next year because I’m based in Maple Valley and I’ve picked up a pretty good following here,” he said. “And it’s a great way to introduce new products.”

McCaslin is working with a marketing representative to increase distribution of his products and plans to do demonstrations at stores in the coming months.

Dennis O’Shields, owner of Uncle Dennis’ Foods, also plans to vend at the market in the future.

“We will be here for the next four years if they’ll have us,” O’Shields said. “It’s gone very well for us. We’re very connected to the community. We are Maple Valley.”

O’Shields developed his product line of condiments and seasonings after 16 kidney stone surgeries over the years. He was told to drastically reduce his salt intake and when he struggled finding the right kind of products that had the kind of flavor he was looking for he decided to come up with his own.

“I develop all of our spices, as well,” O’Shields explained to a customer. “I work directly from scratch. We’ve also realized our greatest strength is not only the lowest sodium but we’re making the hottest peppers accessible to everybody.”

And what he loves about the market is that it allows him, as a former technology sector employee, to get out from behind the computer.

“I’ve got the best office in the world… (it’s) just the connection with people,” he said. “The connection with everybody here is amazing.”

For Jonas, there were lessons to take away from the second season of the market.

“I think the main thing that really hit home for me this year and that really sunk in is that we are responsible for running a business – our Farmers Market is a business operation,” she said. “And as business owners, we needed to deal with the trials and tribulations of running a business such as hiring employees and payroll, recruiting and retaining vendors, processing all of the necessary accounting/book-keeping functions, keeping our customer base happy and resolving customer/vendor complaints.”

Though the market is a non-profit, Jonas added, it is important that it remain solvent.

“Starting up a new business, such as our Farmers Market, was challenging in this economic downturn,” Jonas said. “But we are doing well and I am confident our market will become more successful in the years to come. It is important to note that beyond the hiring our paid youth interns, our entire organization is operated by volunteers.”

One thing the board will try to do heading into the third season, Jonas said, was to start earlier to recruit more vendors to diversify the product offerings but also to “build upon our volunteer base.”

“We need lots of volunteer help to run a three month plus Farmers Market,” she said.

Overall, Jonas said, it has been a great experience.

“I must say that these past three years of planning and actual start up of our very own Farmers Market has been an amazing journey,” she said. “It is with immense pride that we have been able to bring this type of opportunity to our great community. Although I was at the Farmers Market this year’s full 17 week season and experienced every single week, it still is hard to believe we have a Farmers Market right here in Maple Valley. It is more than I could have ever imagined.”