King County farmers market season kicks into high gear

Executive Sims trumpets farm-fresh produce now available in 27 neighborhoods

King County residents are finding it easier to locate fresh, healthy, locally grown produce every year. In fact, four new farmers markets are opening in King County in 2006, bringing the total to 27. That is roughly 20 more than were available in the county only a decade ago.

More than a dozen farmers markets are opening this month, including new markets in Duvall (Wednesdays, beginning this week), Crossroads (Tuesdays, beginning May 23), Wallingford (Wednesdays, beginning June 7) and the Des Moines waterfront (Saturdays, beginning June 17). A complete list of area farmers markets is available online at: http://www.pugetsoundfresh.org/farmers_markets.htm.

King County Executive Ron Sims said the growing popularity of farm-fresh agricultural products benefits both consumers and farmers.

"It is so gratifying to see the rapid growth of farmers markets in our communities because eating fresh, whole foods is an important part of a person's health, and buying locally grown foods helps strengthen King County's agriculture industry," Sims said.

Sims provided the infrastructure for the current network of farmers markets when he started the Puget Sound Fresh program in 1998. The network was created to encourage citizens, wholesalers and retailers to seek out locally grown products, and to provide funding and technical assistance to farmers markets.

Steve Evans, King County Farm Specialist, said field greens, potatoes, radishes, spinach and rhubarb, plus eggs, cheese, beef, pork and lamb are typically available at farmers markets in May.

"In just a few more weeks, visitors to farmers' stalls will also start to see fresh strawberries, cherries and a number of herbs," Evans said. "New products will become available each week as we move through the growing season."

The Puget Sound Fresh program was created by the King County Agriculture Commission and is supported through a partnership between King County, the Cascade Harvest Coalition and Snohomish County.