The Queen Anne Farmers Market will open June 18 and run Thursday afternoons from 3 to 7 pm at West Crockett St. and Queen Anne Ave. N, the site preferred by a majority of surveyed QA residents.

Bringing the market back this summer is a huge challenge,” admits Julie Whitehorn, chair of the Queen Anne Farmers Market Association (QAFMA). Given the late notice, alternate management teams were not available, but we have a commitment of financial assistance from the city, we have great vendors, and we have solid interest from the neighborhood.

The market will be managed this summer by the nonprofit QAFMA, which is racing against the clock to prepare the groundwork, from obtaining insurance to procuring vendors.  Queen Anne Neighbors for Responsible Growth, QAFMA’s parent organization, is supportive of the plan according to its chair, Scott Smith.

“The farmers market is an incredible asset,” said Smith. “We are committed to helping QAFMA with this temporary solution, and in securing management for 2010 and beyond.”

A recent issue was whether the market should remain on Thursday. According to Whitehorn, the former managers planned last fall to move the market to Saturdays. After surveying vendors, however, QAFMA discovered that many of them were already committed on Saturdays, and Queen Anne would be competing with Magnolia and University markets for both vendors and customers. 

While the City of Seattle has offered financial assistance to move the market to its new location, additional funds must be raised to cover expenses, including labor, permits, insurance, signage, and marketing. QAFMA seeks to raise $10,000 through a “Friend of the Market” program geared to business sponsors and “The Beet Goes On” fundraiser (reusable tote bags, offered as gifts with $15 minimum donations at local retailers, including A&J’s, Eat Local, Video Isle, Hilltop Yarn, and Pasta & Co).  

Queen Anne residents make up the QAFMA steering committee: Kimberly McKittrick, Maria College, Erica Peters, Jenny Wilkson, Sarah Holt, Heather Hughes, Laura Levy, Nancie Kosnoff, and John Rashby-Pollock. A volunteer manager and traffic monitors for the 15-week market are being actively sought, as are local chefs for demonstrations, and local musicians for busking. Those interested in volunteering, vending or performing at the market are encouraged to visit the website at www.qafma.org. Donations are accepted at the website via Paypal.