Don’t forget! Next week is the last market of the season. Fall hours are also in effect, start time is now 3pm.
5pm: Two musical groups will be in the market area this week:
You may know Queen Anne neighbor Chris Brisbois from The Buckets or his last appearance at QAFM as part of the Squidmonk’s. This week, Chris performs with friends Cindy and Tony as Tickle Monster, a rockin’ trio named by Rich’s daughter.. Tickle Monster will be joined by the 11-year-old turntable sensation, DJ-A-KIDD, so don’t miss out on a fun afternoon of hip tunes for rock fans of all ages
Chris Eric under his band Sunday Speedtrap, is back for his final QAFM appearance of the season. He’ll be singing his heartfelt lyrics as he plays from his vast alt, country, folk, and rock repertoire. Chris’s biggest influences include the Kingston Trio, Jewel, Todd Snider, The Beatles and Buddy Holly. With that kind of variety, it’s guaranteed that you’ll be smiling, enjoying the fall sun (that’s the forecast!), and singing along with Chris as you shop down produce row on Crockett Street.
5:30pm: The Perfect Taste’s Jon Rowley will be cooking it up in the Chef Tent.
Cranberry beans are going to be available at the Market along with other fresh produce and huge Heirloom tomatoes. Rounding out the list is the ever present, and ever yummy, food trucks that parking in the lot.
The last time Chef Kaspar Donier of Kaspars Special Events and Catering visited the QAFM Chef Tent, he shared a granola recipe that had us doing a double-take. Why had we never thought of granola as savory instead of sweet? Such a great idea! This week, Kaspar is partnering with Elise Hale-Case, Executive Director of the QA Food Bank, to create low-cost, staple-focused dishes that are simply delicious. Stretch your dollars and imagination as you learn to cook up tasty and nutritious meals that will nourish your family and friends.
PK Dwyer has a long musical history in the Seattle area, including the distinction of being the very first busker at the Pike Place Market back in the 1970′s. Spread your blanket on the grass, grab some street food, bask in the last summer sun, and enjoy an evening of folk and blues with this legendary musician. We are so grateful that PK can lend his talents to QAFM for another great evening of local music.
In addition, this week is when All the Best Pet Care is hosting the Happy Paws Market:
Bring furry friends to the Happy Paws Market, a farmers market specifically for dogs and cats, this Thursday, September 20 from 2–6. All The Best Pet Care will provide free ice cream treats from Nature’s Variety and other samples.
Get on down the the market this week. Only 3 more market days after today so stock up on pumpkin pies, squash and yummy treats from the food trucks!
The newly-expanded Queen Anne Farmers Market is back for the season, opening this afternoon (Thursday) at 3 p.m. at the same location of Queen Anne Avenue and West Crockett Street. This year, the market is growing from 32 to 50 vendors (here’s the list) with more local farmers, food artisans and wineries along an expanded produce row.
There are also several events planned for the day. Beginning at 3 and running until 5 p.m., kids are invited to plant their own peas and sunflower plants and see the different stages of growing from seeds already planted. They can bring the plant back in 2 weeks and see who’s has grown the most.
At 5 p.m., the 3-piece string band Red Dog will begin playing. Then at 5:30 p.m., Chef Seth Caswell of Emmer and Rye will be cooking up some of his favorites in the chef tent. And for the entire duration of the market — until 7:30 p.m. — Vince Martinez and the Great Blue Yonder will be entertaining the crowd.
“The growth in our vendor roster is in response to customer feedback that tells us they really enjoy the market but want even greater diversity and number of vendors,” Maria College, co-founder of QAFM told us back in May. “We’ve worked hard to ensure that we maintain the same high quality while providing some new fresh food options.”
Come on out and support great local businesses! We’ll be there, and we’ll post photos later this evening.
With an expanded Queen Anne Farmers Market opening on June 7th, organizers are looking for volunteers. They’ll help set up the market, answer questions from visitors and support the chef and music tents.
As we reported earlier this month, the market is growing from 32 to 50 vendors: more local farmers, food artisans and wineries along an expanded produce row. Here’s a visualization of what the expanded market will look like:
If you’re interested in volunteering, visit here to learn more — no special skills required. There will be a volunteer orientation on Wednesday, May 30, from 6:30-7:00 under the big tree on West Crockett just off Queen Anne Avenue North (in front of 4 West Crockett).
The market is held every Thursday, 3:00 to 7:30 from June 7 to October 11.
The June Queen Anne Community Council meeting last Wednesday night was highlighted by a visit from Seattle Police Department’s West Precinct Captain Joe Kessler and Sergeant Paul Gracy – both natives of the Queen Anne/Magnolia area.
The crime rates in Queen Anne remain relatively low, said Kessler.
“Overall Queen Anne is one of the safest areas around,” said Kessler.
Violent crime rates are down only a little from the same time last year, but Kessler said they weren’t that high to begin with. Car prowls and car thefts are down significantly from the same time last year. Burglaries, however, are up slightly.
“Burglaries are one of those tough ones for us,” said Kessler. “Personally, I hate burglaries. Short of a violent crime, I think one of the worst things that can happen to you as a citizen is to have a burglary.”
Burglaries tend to come in bunches and are often perpetrated by the same individuals, so that once a burglar is caught it often brings the number of burglaries down, said Kessler. The SPD has been working with the prosecutor’s office extensively to target repeat burglars under the Repeat Burglary Initiative.
“We’re concentrating on the prolific guys that need to be in jail for a substantive period of time,” said Kessler.
Concerns over budget cuts and staffing were also discussed. The number of department staff is expected to remain stable despite budget cuts, said Kessler. SPD is firm on not cutting any of their patrol officers, and the current numbers are the highest they’ve ever been, said Kessler. However, increases in overall officers, like they’ve seen in previous years, is likely to stop.
The Crime Prevention Coordinators, who coordinate block watches and other neighborhood actions, may be phased out at the end of this year, said Kessler. It hinges on what the budget looks like for mid-year, but those positions will probably disappear, Kessler said.
“They do an incredible service, and they help the officers out tremendously,” said Kessler. “It’ll be a difficult thing for us to replace that … I don’t know how we will.”
Council Chair Ellen Monrad brought up the issue of the 7-Eleven the sells high-octane alcohol drinks on the hill. Gracy said officers have met with owner to discuss the problem, as well as notify the liquor control board. Stings to try to catch staff selling alcohol to minors have been performed, and they are working on an operation to address homeless buying alcohol for minors, said Gracy.
A few councilmembers discussed the problem of car speeding and drag racing along 10th Avenue West late at night. Gracy said they would make local patrol officers aware of the situation, and it was recommended that residents petition SDOT for a mobile speed monitor.
After the talk by Kessler and Gracy, the council discussed briefly the elections coming up in September, and Councilmember Nicole Pastarnack volunteered to be chair of the elections committee.
The committee reports followed, including:
Given the number of talks regarding traffic calming, Transportation Chair Glenn Avery said he would see about getting representatives from SDOT to talk to the group at next month’s meeting.
John Coney discussed the Interbay Neighborhood Association, who are mobilized to combat the possibility that a tent city would move to Interbay on a Seattle City Light site. Monrad said the office of Seattle City Councilmember Bruce Harrell said they will not put a tent city there.
Jim Cunningham, member of the city’s Community Center Advisory Team, said there will be public hearings on June 15 and 16, one at the Bitter Lake Community Center and one at the Jefferson Community Center, to present Seattle Parks’ latest ideas addressing the future of community centers in Seattle.
Communications Chair Michael Lapin spoke briefly about the opening of this year’s Queen Anne Farmers Market. There is not expected to be a significant amount of competition with the new farmers market in Interbay’s Whole Food’s parking lot, said Lapin. Internal challenges persist with the administration of the Queen Anne Farmers Market, and a solution to the controversy between the different stakeholders is still being sought for next year’s market.
The Queen Anne Helpline‘s annual Queen Anne Fun Run will take place Saturday, July 9, and the organization is looking for people to register, volunteer and donate.
Even with the sparse rain drops falling sporadically around town today, it seems spring has finally arrived, and with that comes, at long last, the opening of the Queen Anne Farmers Market season, which will kick off just one week from today, on Thursday June 2 until Thursday, October 6.
The market, which has always been under the wing of Queen Anne Neighbors for Responsible Growth (QANRG), is under new management this year after a disagreement arose between the QANRG and the market’s former director Julie Whitehorn, who has managed the market for the past two years. After many months of uncertainty, Whitehorn and the QANRG were unable to resolve the dispute and opted instead to go their separate ways rather than see the market suffer. Read Whitehorn’s resignation letter here (.pdf), and the QANRG’s press release introducing the market’s new staff team here (.pdf).
Still despite the changing of the guard, QANRG says the market will maintain many of the same staff members, volunteers and vendors from prior seasons, keeping consistent with the community that has grown around the market over the last four years.
“This year’s market builds on a successful 2010 season that saw customer attendance increase by 94 percent and the growth of a dynamic vendor roster of 64 farmers and prepared food vendors. In its fifth year as the fiscal sponsor, QANRG remains steadfastly committed to creating a sustainable market that can continue to serve the community for years to come,” QANRG President Scott Smith said in a statement released last month.
The market’s new manager, Jamie Collado, brings with her more than nine years of experience working in the local food scene managing restaurant operations, and has a particular interest in health and nutrition. While completing her preceptorship with Seattle Nutrition Action Consortium, Seattle and King County Public Health, she taught healthy eating classes for local teens, putting her undergraduate and graduate education in nutrition and exercise to work.
In addition to adding some new faces, this year’s market will also report to the QAFM Steering Committee, a group made up of former market staff, volunteers, and community members who will be charged with the task of overseeing market operations, community outreach and planning for the market’s long-term sustainability. (Read more about the steering committee in the QANRG press release linked above).
The new market also has a brand new website to match, but ther than that, very little will be changing at the market itself. Held at its usual spot on West Crockett Street between Queen Anne Ave N and 1st Ave W, the market will be extending its hours by a half-hour, going from 3 to 7:30 p.m. instead of 7 p.m. every Thursday through October 6. And each week the market will still be packed with great local vendors, live music, cooking demos, book signings, and more fun events. Check out the list of vendors scheduled to appear at the market this year here.
Want to get involved in the QAFM? Information on how to become a market sponsor by making a tex-deductible donation can be found here.
The QAFM is also still looking for volunteers for the upcoming season for everything from staffing the information table, to donating professional services such as web design or photography. If you’ve got a skill you’d like to share with the market, or would simply like to donate your time, please contact Volunteer Coordinator Kelly Decker at 206-854-0143 or YouMakeQAFMGreat@qafma.net.
We’ll give you the sneak peek at what’s on the agenda for the market’s grand opening next week, but in the meantime don’t forget to ‘like’ the market on its new Facebook page, and follow it on its new Twitter account.
A new, weekday farmers market is getting ready to open for the summer in the parking lot of Whole Foods (2001 15th Ave W).
The Seattle Farmers Market Association, which includes the popular Ballard Sunday Farmers Market has teamed up with Whole Foods to make this happen. “SFMA believes that this type of business partnership will allow the farmers market to become more sustainable while providing a rich experience for the entire community,” according to the press release.
The hope is to start with 30 vendors and expand to 40 or more during peak harvest season. The market will run from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursdays starting June 9th, timed for commuters heading home from work. This is the same time slot as the Queen Anne Farmers Market, which will be running from 3 to 7:30 p.m. every Thursday from June 2 to October 6 at the corner of W Crockett Street and Queen Anne Ave N.
“This new farmers market will provide the best of both worlds for convenient midweek shopping, fresh picked seasonal produce from local farms and food producers, and the in-depth selection of the Whole Foods Market experience,” the press release states.
While the Queen Anne Farmers Market is closed for the season, that doesn’t mean Queen Anne-ers will have to go back to buying their produce at other neighborhood markets, or (gasp) the grocery store. Enter the FarmBoat, the newest addition to Seattle’s farmers market scene.
With the goal of re-kindling Puget Sound’s historic maritime delivery routes, the FarmBoat folks set off to build a year-round “transient floating farmers market fleet that visits public docks in many Puget Sound waterfront communities selling fresh produce and other local products right off the boat just as it was a century ago.” From the FarmBoat website:
This is how farm goods were sold in port communities a century ago. It was more than just sustainable. People flourished here and the Northwest became what it is today. FarmBoat is about turning the clocks back and sharing a traditional and colorful maritime heritage. Back to a time when fruits and vegetables where picked at the peak of perfection and transported over the cool waters of Puget Sound to the cupboards of northwest families.
Small family farms still exist among the islands and near port towns all throughout the Puget Sound region. We connect growers and producers with consumers in a venue that is enjoyable, educational, conducive and commensurate with the superior quality of their products.
FarmBoat’s winter floating market is kicking off this Thursday, November 11, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. aboard Seattle’s historic steamship “Virginia V” docked at Lake Union Park, 860 Terry Ave N. (moored at the park’s Historic Boat Wharf), and will continue every Thursday through December 23, (except for Thanksgiving).
Check out the FarmBoat’s list of vendors here. Interested in signing up for a CSA (community supported agriculture) produce delivery? The FarmBoat has one of those too—check out the CSA program here.
While FarmBoat is just getting its start, it has some pretty ambitious plans. Take a look at the market’s proposed delivery routes, which it plans to use to facilitate trade across the Puget Sound region, from Bellingham, to the San Juan Islands, and all the way down to Olympia. Happy farmers marketing!
It was the first ever Dog Day at the Queen Anne Farmer’s Market this week. Not every market allows people to bring their pups but as director Julie Whitehorn summed it up, “Queen Anne loves its dogs.” No questions asked. From the looks of things, the four-legged friends didn’t mind a bit.
This little doggie went to market.
So did this one named Roxie.
Who knew cats aren’t the only ones who like fish? Lorene from Two If By Sea Foods handed out pink salmon for a treat. There were also special biscuits made by Dog Mountain Farm and pooch pics from Chris and Emi’s Photography. The Seattle Humane Society’s Maxmobile was there to adopt out pets, too.
At the end of the evening, pet boutique Mes Amis chose a king and queen canine and awarded prizes. He’s a little camera shy but 11-month-old, “100%-mutt” Django was crowned king of the pack.
She may not be an actual cougar, but Django’s queen IS a 9 1/2-year-old boxer named Maddie.
Next week is Wellness Week at the market. Check their website for updates.
The Queen Anne Farmers Market tomorrow (Thursday) is going to the dogs. You’re encouraged to bring your pooch for “Dog Day,” which will include music from Red Dog, an appearance by the Seattle Humane Society’s Max Mobile, dog photography and more. Check out the full schedule and this week’s fresh list from Julie Whitehorn on the Farmer’s Market website here.
Temperatures are much cooler today (phew!) but another record-breaking hot weather day didn’t stop people from strolling through the Queen Anne Farmer’s Market yesterday. We snapped a few photos…
We spotted the most AMAZING looking tomatoes here. A single tomato cost one shopper $4 but she swears they’re the sweetest she’s ever tasted.
Not surprisingly, gelatto from Poco Carretto was a big hit, as was the debut of Parfait Ice Cream truck.
The Queen Anne Farmer’s Market happens every Thursday from 3-7 p.m. on W. Crockett St. and Queen Anne Ave. N. through October 1.
From the Queen Anne Farmer’s Market website, this Thursday is Cheese Day. Take a Tour de Fromage and sample cheese at our three vendors. Any cheese purchase gets you a ticket to enter our drawing for a $50 market basket.
What’s new:Boulangerie Nantaise makes their QAFM debut withorganic artisan French breads and pastries (their almond croissant is beyond-the-beyond). Alvarez farms will have first-of-the-season Supersweet corn and fresh garbanzos. Local Roots is bringing their first Treviso, the “milder radicchio” and Sungold tomatoes. Grateful Bread is introducingChallah to their baked goods lineup. Tiny’s Organics will bring Lapins cherries and Flavorosa apriums. The Signature is adding a fresh coconut drink to their Vietnamese street food menu. Getting hungry yet? Check out their website for more information!
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