University District Farmers Market Has Re-Opened

A neighbor would like to share that the University District Farmers Market has re-opened.  

The University District Market published this information:

Agriculture is the most essential act, and the farmers markets serve as the essential link between farmers and eaters. We need you to help protect public health and our community by following new guidelines. 

Shoppers, you have the important duty of displaying excellent behavior in and around the markets. All of us here at Neighborhood Farmers Markets, including our vendors, will be responsible for implementing the agreed-upon plans to keep everyone safe while we help feed our city. 

It is vital that everyone act in these efforts together to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The safety and health of our shoppers, our farmers, and staff is critical – this is our primary concern and if we falter, we risk the closure of our market.  All NFM staff and vendors (and shoppers) must stay home if they are sick, experiencing symptoms, or have been knowingly exposed to a confirmed case of COVID-19. 

While farmers markets are often social spaces, it is important not to confuse this as the primary purpose. Our commitment to farm and food-only markets that support Washington’s small family farms, ensuring food access for all, and nurturing a connection between producers and consumers is our mission. Our basic needs, including those for food, drink, and agriculture, have not changed during this crisis. We believe that open-air markets with transparent and short supply chains can be the safest and best way to obtain food during this crisis.   

In addition to the already implemented measures that restrict sampling, increase hand washing and sanitation supplies, and ensure employee and vendor health, we have additional safety measures. This list is not exhaustive, but captures our priorities as we work to re-open safe, permitted farmers markets:

Market Modifications + Altered Operations Include:

• Modified layouts to ensure 10’ between vendor booths to allow for greater circulation and distance.
• Limited market entrances to control the capacity and foot traffic of each market.
• Hand sanitizer will be provided at Market Manager tents, with public hand washing stations available in the markets.
• There is no sampling or prepared food until further notice.
• No music, entertainment, cooking demos, or public seating areas.

Shopper Behavior Expectations:

• Make a list.
• Preorder and prepay from vendors if possible. Here’s our shopper sourcing list.
• Designate one shopper per household.
• Service dogs are permitted otherwise leave your pets at home.
• Bring reusable bags – these are permitted, but you will be the only person touching them.
• Check yourself – stay home if you are sick or if you’ve been in contact with someone who is sick.

• The market has major modifications and there are new signs to help you move through the market.
• Do not touch the products, the vendors will help you.
• Maintain 6 feet of space at all times. This is crucial! Look for physical cues like tape, chalk, and signs all around you as a reminder.
• Shop quickly and efficiently. This isn’t the time to chat. Big smiles welcome!
• Wash hands often with soap & water for at least 20 seconds especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, with at least 60% alcohol.
• Wear a face mask.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, mouth, and face in general.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then dispose of it.

For more information go here.

Founder oF University District Farmers Market Resigning

A neighbor would like to share this information:

An Announcement from our Executive Director and Founder, Chris Curtis Dear Friends in the Farmers Market Community, I am writing today to share the news that in June of this year I will be retiring from my role as Executive Director of the Neighborhood Farmers Markets. After 25 years of organizing, managing and providing leadership to the Farmers Market movement, I am ready to step back and pass the baton to a new NFMA Executive Director. A change of guard for the NFMA is significant for lots of reasons. Not least among them is the fact I am leaving a job that has been a huge chunk of my working life and has meant the world to me. I’m thankful for so many years of being able to do meaningful work within the local farm and food community and I am so proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish on behalf of local farms, start up artisan food businesses, neighborhood revitalization and community building. Right now it’s hard to imagine Seattle without its network of excellent Farmers Markets, but I remember a time when there were no neighborhood markets. The U-District Farmers Market opened in 1993; an all-volunteer non-profit effort led by a group of passionate folks who shared my vision of a bold new prototype for getting local farmers into the city. (To give you an idea of just how grass roots we were, we ran the market out of my tiny home basement for 7 years.) From the beginning, we were lucky to be guided by a strong core of local farmers who strongly advised us that our success would hinge on prioritizing local farms and food. I’m so proud we’ve kept this core principle front and center all these years. Seventeen local produce farmers were on hand on opening day in 1993…and 600 shoppers.  It was a small (but strong) beginning for the NFMA which currently supports 7 markets (3 of which go year-round), 120 farmers, 10,000 acres of actively cultivated farmland and 600,000 shoppers this past year. In the last 24 years, our NFMA markets have ensured that local farmers can make a viable living direct selling in Seattle and that Seattle eaters think differently about the important benefits of buying local food from local farms. I can say without hesitation that our NFMA Farmers Markets have led the local food movement and put a true, trusted and best face on local agriculture.

The list of highlights over the last 25 years is long, but I’d like to mention a few. Largely hidden from view, but worthy of recognition is the important role our seven NFMA markets have played in food security.  I want to thank our farmers who have donated over 700,000 pounds of fresh local produce and food to Seattle food banks! Having forged solid relationships with Sound Transit and the City of Seattle over the past few years guarantees our markets have secure and permanent locations forever in our rapidly changing city. And our precious Good Farmer Fund which has dispensed $216,000 in grants over the last 8 years to farmers in need of emergency financial help makes the NFMA stand out in its undeterred support of local farmers. Since the beginning, the NFMA has been blessed with a strong, intelligent and committed team of managers and administrative staff. They have helped the organization grow, mature, become more professional and have laid a stable groundwork for many more years of market success and NFMA recognition. I want to thank all of them for their tremendous contributions to our success.   The NFMA has grown to be the largest Farmers Market organization in Washington and is a leader in setting high standards for Farmers Market policies and practices locally and across the US. The NFMA led the initiative that allowed cheese, eggs, meats, poultry, fish and wine at Farmers Markets in Seattle/King County.  In 2009, the NFMA led the charge into city hall on behalf of our city’s Farmers Markets resulting in the Seattle Farmers Market Ordinance which defines markets that prioritize farmers and lowers or eliminates fees for market use of streets and parks.  In 2012, the NFMA was responsible for developing and piloting the successful Fresh Bucks program which increases market food access to low income folks and which is now replicated state-wide. And in 2015, the NFMA convened the city-wide Seattle Farmers Market group which now meets regularly to share advertising costs, write grants, standardize policies and advocate on behalf of all our markets.

I also want to extend a huge thank you to all our NFMA board members who have provided strong and wise oversight from the beginning.  They have guided this ship through 24 years of annual growth and scalable success. Our farmer board members have also played an especially important role in regularly helping us wrestle with policy and vendor concerns. Our stellar market staff and board are currently actively engaged in planning for and managing the leadership transition process.  Please know that there will be no interruptions to our primary mission of providing support to local farmers and operating the best Farmers Markets in the state! I will be working with the NFMA through the end of 2018 on special projects related to the NFMA and Farmers Markets where I can lend my experience and perspective. I intend to continue my support and advocacy on behalf of Farmers Markets, local foods and local farms as long as I can and look forward to seeing many of you who are engaged in the same priorities. Thanks to all of you in the NFMA community who have helped make my last 25 years of work so significant and worthwhile. Together, we’ve created a local food and farm movement that is one of the best in the US. I am confident the deep roots we’ve planted will continue to spread and produce bumper yields for years to come. Gratefully,   Chris Curtis, Executive Director Neighborhood Farmers Markets

Tomorrow Applelooza At U-District Farmers Market

The U-District Farmers Market, is having the annual AppleLooza, on Saturday. It will include a huge apple tasting, free apple recipes, cider samples, and information about the many apple varieties grown by local farmers.

The University District Farmers Market, located on University Way between 50th and 52nd Avenues NE., is open from 9-2pm year round on Saturdays with dozens of local farm and artisan food vendors.  

For information about the Farmers Market, go here.

Applelooza at U-District

From 10am-12pm, taste some of the amazing apple varieties offered at our markets. Vendors throughout the market will be offering up delicious apple products, like samples of Rheba cheese on apple slices at Tieton Creamery, caramel apples at Jonboy Caramels, and seasonal ciders at Rockridge. Celebrate the Washington Apple!

(photo/information courtesy of Farmers Market website)

UDistrict 47th annual Street Fair And Farmers Market This Week-end



This week-end the 47th annual University District Street Fair is happening on University Way below 50th Avenue NE. 

And on Saturdays year round from 9-2pm, the University District Farmers Market is also going on  with dozens of local farm and artisan food vendors.  It is also located on University Way between 50th and 52nd Avenues NE.
 
Over 55 one hour parking spots are available in the north and south lots of U-Heights Center just west of the market.
 
In June of last year the Rachael Ray show visited the UDistrict Farmers Market. 
 
Here is what is fresh this week along with a list of vendors.
 
For more information go here and for up to date information go here to the Facebook page.