This morning, the Queen Anne Farmers Market (QAFM) announced its 2013 season’s poster, designed by local Pacific Northwest graphic designer Joe Wirthheim.

The QAFM team met Joe at the Fremont Market, where they first saw his “Victory Garden of Tomorrow” poster series.

In the new QAFM poster, Joe provides a child’s perspective of the market, with everyone invited to join in – “Everybody’s at the Queen Anne Farmers Market.” And, beginning June 6th, everyone can join in for market fun on Thursdays through October 31st.

Joe’s colorful work is infused with a message of meaningful change:

“I’d like to spread the vision of a future that is sustainable and dynamic, while staying connected to our legacy of ingenuity, invention and diverse community.”

The posters are available by donation at:

• Queen Anne Frame, 1621 Queen Anne Ave N (previous posters also available)
• QAFM Community Kiosk, W. Crockett at Queen Anne Ave N, market hours

And, you can get also your poster in advance of market season at the Bigelow Block Sale on Saturday, June 1st. You can pick one up at the corner of Bigelow Ave N and Newton Street between 11am and 3pm.

Spring starts this week, but we still have a couple months to go before the growing season kicks off in the Pacific Northwest – but fear not, we have some Queen Anne Farmers Market news to whet your appetite for the upcoming season, and make you long for the days when W Crockett St is closed to cars and filled with vendors and locals alike.

First up, mark your calendar – the QAFM season runs from June 6th – October 31st this year. That’s right, it’ll be around through Halloween and the Queen Anne Ave Halloween festivities, as the market extends further into the fall produce season. Market hours will be the usual 3:00-7:30pm.

Secondly, the market has a new market manager, Tom Tafelsky. According to a market spokesperson, the whole QAFM team is looking forward to a great season of Tom’s and the board’s leadership; Tom has a commitment to community that will help motivate others to volunteer or donate to our non-profit market, keeping it independent, thriving, and growing. A 3-year Queen Anne resident who’s volunteered with the P-Patch giving program, Tom has a commitment to community building. He’s excited about joining the QAFM team and looks forward to connecting with the Queen Anne community while building on the growth and success of the market in 2013.

Next up, QAFM vendors and activities – the vendor roster is still being developed, but rest assured, we’ll see both old favorites and new faces among the 50 farms, artisans, and food vendors. The final list won’t be available until May, but news of Renee Erickson’s Narwahl oyster wagon is joining the food truck line-up has been confirmed by the QAFM. (Erickson’s restaurants include The Whale Wins, Walrus and the Carpenter, Boat Street Café). The ever-popular chef’s tent will return, and new this year will be a kid’s market tour to introduce little ones to various types of produce throughout the season.

And, finally, just this week, the Senate passed Senate Bill 5674, sponsored by Senator Jeanne Kohl-Welles – this bill “would allow up to three wineries or microbreweries per day to offer samples at a farmers market.” The bill now goes to the House of Representatives. If it passes, we can all cross fingers that the QAFM may see Washington state wineries and microbreweries in the future – no applications yet, but this bill certainly helps open the door!

That’s it for now, but it’s certainly enough to get us through the next few months of typical Spring weather. June is in our sights!

From our friends at the Queen Anne Farmer’s Market: “Only 5 tickets left for our QAFM fundraiser at The Pantry at Delancey. You aren’t going to want to miss this event – our best produce, great company, and stellar preparation.”

Get tickets for this October 2nd event at the QAFM web site.

The Queen Anne Farmers’ Market today announced the vendors for the 2012 season. The Market is growing this year from an average of 32 vendors in 2011 to 50 in 2012. QAFM has increased the number of farmers, artisinal foods, and ready-to-eat food vendors from which to choose for your summer fare. Seattle Salads, Little Brown Farm, Rachel’s Ginger Beer, Olsen Farms beef, and Farmers’ Market Jam are just a few of the offerings.

“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. We’ve worked hard to ensure that we maintain the same high quality while providing some new fresh food options. This expansion is also a critical step forward as we work towards the Market’s financial sustainability,” states Maria College, Co-Founder, QAFM.

While QAFM is expanding its vendor base, the site is not expanding. Stewart Chung, AIA, and owner of Buns on Wheels, volunteered his time to make sure the site space was maximized to accommodate all the new vendors. “It’s clear to me as a market vendor that the Queen Anne Farmers Market is a labor of love for its dedicated staff and volunteer team. It feels great to be a part of this effort and I’m glad to contribute my skill set to make a great community resource even better,” he shared.

Mr. Chung also created an an amazing fly-by visualization of what an expanded Market would look like.

This year’s sponsor list has been released as well. They include Metropolitan Market, Rene Stern at Windermere Real Estate, HomeStreet Bank, EveryBlock, Whole Foods Market, The Shop, and Liz Petrillo at Windermere Real Estate.

“We owe a debt of gratitude to our sponsors. Without their support the market would not be possible. We encourage everyone to support the businesses that support our great community,” notes Ms. College.

Last, but not least, Elizabeth Mullaly’s coveted poster design for 2012 has made its debut. Available for purchase at Queen Anne Dispatch, Queen Anne Frame, and charley + may.

The Market is held every Thursday, 3:00 to 7:30 from June 7 to October 11.

This Saturday, May 5th, participating Upper Queen Anne Merchants are handing out flowers as a token of their appreciation to their customers to celebrate the arrival of spring. Nineteen businesses take part in Bloom in Queen Anne, handing out flowers to shoppers, allowing them to build a lovely spring bouquet. Shop for Mothers’ Day and let our local merchants say a personal thank you to you, their customers.

Be sure to kick off the day at charley + may for the unveiling of the new Elizabeth Mullaly exclusive Queen Anne Farmers’ Market poster for 2012. “The Queen Anne Farmers Market is truly a community-wide effort,” says Maria College, Co-founder Queen Anne Farmers Market. “We’re so fortunate to have some very talented supporters. Elizabeth Mullaly’s posters beautifully capture the spirit of the market and we think that this year she has really outdone herself.”

There will be treats and a drawing for two signed posters. Posters can be purchased at charley + may, Queen Anne Frame, and Queen Anne Dispatch.

Bloom in Queen Anne
Saturday, May 5
Kick off at charley + may 11AM for the QAFM’s 2012 poster unveiling.

Participating merchants:

charley + may co.
Chocolopolis
Communique
Belle Fiore
Blue Highway Games
hauteyoga Queen Anne
HomeStreet Bank
Le Reve
Once Upon A Time
Queen Anne Books
Queen Anne Dispatch
Queen Anne Frames
Mimisan Spa
My Dressing Room
Seattle Gym
Three Birds
Twirl
Umpqua bank
Video Isle

Applications are now available for the popular Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program, providing low-income seniors with $40 in voucher checks that can be exchanged for fresh produce at farmers markets, roadside stands, and community-supported agriculture programs throughout King County, including our own Queen Anne Farmers’ Market.

Applicants must be King County residents age 60 or older (age 55 or older if American Indian/Alaska Native) and low-income—below 185 percent of Federal Poverty Level (FPL). In real terms, that means someone who meets the age requirement must have an annual income at or below $20,665 (or $1,723 monthly) if he or she lives alone; or $27,991 ($2,333 monthly) if he or she lives with one other person. For larger households, the FPL formula adds $611 per month per person.

“Seattle and suburban cities are fortunate to have a wealth of small farmers markets that provide fresh, nutritious, unprepared, locally grown fruits, vegetables, herbs, and honey,” said Jesse Eller, director of Seattle Human Services Department’s Aging and Disability Services division, the agency that oversees the program in King County. “It’s a great investment in senior nutrition as well as our agricultural economy.”

Applications are available online or by calling the organizations listed below.

·         African American Elders Program: 206-328-6840
·         Asian Counseling & Referral Service: 206-695-7510
·         Chinese Information & Service Center: 206-624-5633 ext 4178
·         Latino Information & Assistance: 206-764-4700
·         Neighborhood House: 206-461-4522
·         Russian Information & Assistance (Irina at JFS): 425-643-2221
·         Seattle Mayor’s Office for Senior Citizens: 206-684-0500
·         Senior Information & Assistance 206-448-3110 or 1-888-4ELDERS

Because funds are limited, a random selection process is used to select recipients. Completed applications must be submitted by mail and postmarked by June 4, 2012. All applicants will receive a letter by early July informing them of their status.

A searchable list of local markets can be found on the Washington State Farmers Market Association Web site.

The Queen Anne Farmers’ Market opens June 7, 2012. The following week of June 14, the Market will match SNAP/EBT/WIC/SFMNP redemptions up to $15. per person (capped at $400/day). Any customer redeeming food stamps can have their redemption value doubled up to $15. “We are fortunate to be able to do this because of the support of donations made by our sponsors and our ‘Friends of the Market’ donations,” says Maggie Cuevas of the QAFM.

Any readers who would like to make a donation to keep the market thriving, growing, and able to support important programs like these can become a Friend of the Queen Anne Market by clicking here.

The Queen Anne Farmers Market is looking for input from the community.

An Advisory Committee has been working for the past 6 months on the issue of helping make the Queen Anne Farmers Market economically sustainable for the long term. Please come and hear about polling results, how the market has grown, future projections, and ideas to make our community market even better! This will be an opportunity for you to give feedback to the proposed plan and share your own ideas.

The community meeting is Tuesday, March 13th from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Seattle Church of Christ community room (2555 8th Ave W).

For more information about this meeting, please contact Scott Smith, Heather Trim or Karen Selander.

The late summer heat has arrived just in time for Queen Anne Farmers Market and Interbay Farmers Market today. Get out there in that 80 degree sunshine and enjoy the fresh eats that both markets have to offer, because they’ll be plenty of cooler market days in store before the season concludes, but our sunny days are most certainly numbered.

At the Queen Anne Farmers Market today:

• 4 p.m. – Cooking Demo with Artemio Diaz, the head chef La Luna, who will be cooking up some of the restaurant’s Mexican favorites
• 5 to 7 p.m. – Live Music by Hank Bradley and Cathie Whitesides, two of Seattle’s finest folk musicians, specializing in Greek music, old-time fiddle, contra dance music, Irish fiddle and more
• Check out what’s fresh at the market this week here

At the Interbay Farmers Market today:

• 4 to 5 p.m. – Cooking Demonstration with Chef Ethan Stowell
• Check out what’s fresh at the Interbay market this week here

As always the Queen Anne Farmers Market will take place from 3 to 7:30 p.m. at W Crockett Street and Queen Anne Ave N. The Interbay Farmers Market will take place from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Interbay Urban Center, located at 1819 15th Ave. W.

At the Queen Anne Farmers Market this week:

• 3:30 to 4:40 p.m. – Young Yogi Kids’ class on the grass: In a playful manner, the session will blend yoga games, exploration of poses, stories, music, animated breathing exercises and magical meditation into an inspiring and replenishing thematic experience, so your children can investigate the sensations of body, mind, and spirit. The class will be taught by popular Haute Yoga instructor Silvia Mordini, Kids’ Yoga Instructor Angie Wilkins, and Jacob Young. Children of all ages are welcome at this complementary yoga class.
• 4 p.m. – Chef Demo with Ethan Stowell, of How to Cook A Wolf, Tavolata, Anchovies & Olives, and Staple & Fancy.
• 5 p.m. – Live music with Cort Armstrong and his sweet banjo tunes
• 5:30 p.m. – Kids Cooking Demo with nutritional therapist Stephanie Vuolo and Chef Rachel
• Check out what’s fresh at QAFM this week here

At the Interbay Farmers Market this week:

• There are no cooking demos scheduled for the Interbay Farmers Market this week, but you can check out what will be fresh at the market here

As always the Queen Anne Farmers Market will take place from 3 to 7:30 p.m. at W Crockett Street and Queen Anne Ave N. The Interbay Farmers Market will take place from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Interbay Urban Center, located at 1819 15th Ave. W.

Check out the happenings at the Queen Anne Farmers Market and Interbay Farmers Market today.

At the Queen Anne Farmers Market:

• 4 p.m. – Chef Demo with Metropolitan Market Chef Amy Pinkis, who will be teaching market goers how to make fresh mozzarella (and later, homemade ricotta), and how to concoct delicious dishes that highlight the fresh-made cheese
• 4 p.m. – Kid’s Mozzarella Pull
• 5 p.m. – Live Music with returning market favorite The Canote Brothers (be sure to bring your dancing shoes!)
• 5:30 p.m. – Chef Demo part two with Met Market’s Amy Pinkis, this time teaching market goers how to make their own homemade ricotta cheese and integrate it into interesting recipes
• 5:30 p.m. – Book Signing with Keren Brown, of Frantic Foodie, and the author of “The Food Lovers Guide to Seattle” (sponsored by Queen Anne Books)
• Check out what’s fresh at the market this week here

At the Interbay Farmers Market:

• 4 p.m. – Cooking Demonstration with Chef Jeff Maxfield of SkyCity at the Space Needle
• Check out what’s fresh at the market this week here

As always the Queen Anne Farmers Market will take place from 3 to 7:30 p.m. at W Crockett Street and Queen Anne Ave N. The Interbay Farmers Market will take place from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Interbay Urban Center, located at 1819 15th Ave. W.

Check out the lineup at the Queen Anne Farmers Market and Interbay Farmers Market today.

Queen Anne Farmers Market:

• 4 p.m. – Chef Demo with Rebecca Cameron from POP Kitchen + Bar, a new restaurant that just opened at the EMP. Chef Cameron will bring shades of her American-food menu to the market, as well as the restaurant’s focus on local ingredients.
• 5 p.m. – Kids Cooking Demo with Greg Johnson from Chef and Father. Greg is known for teaching families how to cook fresh, organic, real food without spending all day in the kitchen. He visited us last summer and is back by popular demand.
• 5:30 p.m. – Live Music at the world premier of local supergroup Squid Monks, featuring members of the Buckets.
• Check out what’s fresh at the QA Farmers Market this week here.

Interbay Farmers Market:

• 4 p.m. – Cooking Demonstration with Chef Peter Levin of the Waterfront Seafood Grill
• Check out what’s fresh at the Interbay Farmers Market this week here.

As always the Queen Anne Farmers Market will take place from 3 to 7:30 p.m. at W Crockett Street and Queen Anne Ave N. The Interbay Farmers Market will take place from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Interbay Urban Center, located at 1819 15th Ave. W.

Vendors, musicians and food lovers will be out in full force at both the Queen Anne Farmers Market and Interbay Farmers Market this afternoon. Check out what’s on the schedule for both neighborhood markets today.

At the Queen Anne Farmers Market:

• 4 p.m. – In the Chef Tent: Chef Jess Dowdell, of Whidbey Island’s ca’buni cafe, a treasure tucked in the woods outside Langley, Wa.
• 5 to 7 p.m. – In the Music Tent: Jam out with the Canote Brothers. Brothers Greg and Jere play American Roots music with a little quirk! Fiddle and guitar, and a pair of great voices!
• 6 p.m. – End of Crockett Street: Market SURPRISE!
• Check out what’s fresh at the market this week here.

At the Interbay Farmers Market:

• There is no cooking demonstration at the Interbay market today, but they’ll be plenty going on and lots of fresh eats!
• Check out what’s fresh at the market this week here.

As always the Queen Anne Farmers Market will take place from 3 to 7:30 p.m. at W Crockett Street and Queen Anne Ave N. The Interbay Farmers Market will take place from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Interbay Urban Center, located at 1819 15th Ave. W.