The Queen Anne Farmers Market is well on its way to having a bigger, better 2010 season, expanding hours, dates and vendors when the market opens again in May. One of the many ways the QA Farmers Market Associations keeps the market coming back every year is by fundraising like crazy–soliciting donations, and getting unique local artists to contribute their talents to the cause.

For example, Elizabeth Mullaly‘s unique posters designed especially for the market every year. Her 2009 design, showcasing two red beets, was such a hit the market had to order reprints to sell to many wanting Queen Anne-ers and QAFM attendees.

Her new, highly classified poster, which will become the face of the 2010 season, will be unveiled at the Art of the Market fundraiser this Sunday, March 7 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Queen Anne’s newest locally emphasized restaurant, emmer&rye.

For a minimum $50 donation per person (or $80 for two people), attendees will get a sneak peak at the poster as well as an evening full of fun at the market’s first ever “hyperlocal cocktail fundraiser.” Art of the Market highlights will include:

• Unveiling of the new 2010 market poster and your own copy (signed by artist Elizabeth Mullaly if you wish)
• Delicious appetizers created by Chef Seth Caswell (including his famous farro fries!) with produce courtesy of Full Circle Farms
• Washington State wine courtesy of Ward Johnson Winery
• Live music by world-reknowned “neo-flamenco” guitarist Andre Feriante, fresh from his Valentine’s Day concert at Benaroya Hall
• A chance to win free poster framing, courtesy of Queen Anne Frame

“As Seattle’s only independent farmers market, we need your support to continue bringing the farmers to West Crockett. We can’t do it without you!” wrote QAFM Director Julie Whitehorn.

For more information, check the QAFM website. Buy tickets here.

Love the Queen Anne Farmers Market? Yes? Then we have great news! The QAFM Association just announced this week that they’re going to be expanding – in dates, size and programming – for the 2010 season!

Beginning May 20 this year, the market will again run on Thursdays from 3 to 7 p.m. at W Crocket St. and Queen Anne Ave N., through October 7, adding additional dates and lengthening the market area to provide for more stalls and vendors. QAFMA wrote in a press release Monday,

In response to vendor and customer feedback, QAFMA is adding five weeks to the market season and has plans to expand the site into the Queen Anne Pool parking lot, which will allow for a greater variety of farm stalls, prepared food vendors, and mobile food vendors. The option of staying open later, up to 8:00 p.m., in midsummer is also being pursued. Children’s activities will be expanded to teach the importance of eating fresh, healthy foods, and the popular events program returns with a strong line up of local chefs, food authors, workshops and music.

In 2009 the market decided to downsize from previous years and focus on foods, rather than crafts, as per requests from the community. Still, according to Executive Director Julie Whitehorn, even with the smaller market, sales increased.

“Our community responded in a big way,” she said. “While the economy adversely impacted some farmers markets last year, we saw a 10 percent gain in vendor sales over 2008. This happened despite a new location and new management.”

This season QAFMA will welcome many new vendors, musicians, performers and programs. Also new: This year the market will be accepting Washington State WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program Coupons and WIC Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program Coupons, and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The market surplus donation program, which gave over 1,500 pounds of food from market farmers to the Queen Anne Helpline last year, will also continue.