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.

The Queen Anne Farmers Market is looking for a “dynamic marketing intern” to help out with operations and work with the market manager in preparation for and during the upcoming market season. Market Director Julie Whitehorn posted this job description on the QAFM site this morning:

The Queen Anne Farmers Market is seeking a smart, friendly, detail-oriented intern to learn market operations while assisting the market manager. The time commitment is five hours weekly pre-season and 7-8 hours each Thursday during 22-week season plus flexible offsite hours. The intern will attend committee and board meetings, and learn skills in nonprofit management, market operations, fundraising, marketing and customer service.

For more information on the job or how to apply, see the official job description (.pdf). The Queen Anne Farmers Market is starting up early this year, on Thursday, May 20. Read up on the market’s upcoming season and expansion here.

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.

Monteillet’s Larzac, photo by David Blaine

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!

The Signature, located on lower Queen Anne, is excited to announce that it will be joining the Queen Anne Farmer’s Market this Thursday, July 2, 2009.

“As a member of the Queen Anne community, we are excited to join the Queen Anne Farmer’s Market and become a part of something that supports vendors and farmers in our local area,” said Tony Ly, the General Manager at The Signature.  “We look forward to incorporating fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs from our neighbors at the farmer’s market into our signature Vietnamese dishes.”

The Signature will feature a rotating menu at the farmer’s market, with items such as: Vietnamese Banh Mi sandwiches with BBQ pork, tofu or chicken;Bubble Tea; Grilled Chicken and Pork Skewers; and Spring Rolls with tofu or shrimp and homemade peanut sauce.

The Queen Anne Farmers Market Association (QAFMA) is a group of neighbors who are committed to working with the community, vendors and the City ofSeattle to support Washington State farmers and producers.  The Queen Anne Farmer’s Market takes place every Thursday till October 1.  It is open from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and can be found at West Crockett Street and Queen Anne Avenue North near Pasta & Co. more information on QAFMA can be found on their website.

The Signature is located at 530 1st Avenue North, nestled in the heart of Lower Queen Anne.  The restaurant is open every day from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., with the bar open till 3:30 a.m. on Friday and Saturday night.  Happy hour is from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., and all day on Monday.  For more information or to order take-out, please call (206) 283-6614 or visit www.thesignaturerestaurant.com.

The Queen Anne Farmers Market had a beautiful day for the opening of the market season last Thursday.  They are back in operation again this Thursday and will continue every Thursday this summer.  You will enjoy the bountiful delights of organic fruits and vegetables, fresh seafood, crafts, and entertainment.  Check out their website for all things “Queen Anne Farmers Market” and come out tomorrow!

3-7 pm, Thursdays
June 18 – October 1, 2009
W Crockett Street @ Queen Anne Ave. N (near Pasta & Co) 

Everyone loves a good farmers market, and this year the excitement is building over the opening of the relocated Queen Anne Farmers Market this Thursday, June 18th.

Thursdays 3-7 pm, Thursdays, June 18 – October 1, 2009
W Crockett Street @ Queen Anne Ave. N  (near Pasta & Co)

According to their website, the QA Farmers Market,

The numbers are in. For three years running, economics students at Seattle University, led by professor Stacey Jones, have compared organic food prices between Seattle grocery stores and farmers markets. Farmers markets came out cheaper, with prices up to one third less than at grocery stores for 15 items that included Fuji apples, red potatoes, baby carrots, spinach and salad mix. See this Seattle Times article by Karen Gaudette for more information.

On opening day, the QAFM will feature virtuoso guitarist Andre Feriante. This world-reknown artist, when not traveling around the world, has a standing gig (this was his 12th year) at Benaroya Hall for Valentine’s Day. If you’ve ever heard him play, you know the auditory equivalent of the word “swoon.”

Lots to see at the QAFM this week.  Do stop by!

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.