Maple Valley Farmers Market

      Saturday mornings are made for gentle beginnings, for a leisurely start to the day, for treating oneself after a long week.  “What better way to indulge oneself than to visit Maple Valley’s very own Farmers’ Market?” asks Market Manager Victoria Laise-Jonas. 

     Visitors to the Market don’t even have to eat breakfast before arriving, as a wide array of breakfast treats is available.  Along with sandwiches and lunch specials, EJ’s Catering offers breakfast frittatas, breakfast burritos, and mango berry coolers –all prepared by local Maple Valley chef Eric Elmer, who utilizes locally grown, organic, natural, and freshly-prepared comfort foods.  His beautiful displays are certain to woo new customers, according to Laise-Jonas.

      Another breakfast option is The Daily Bagel, operated by local husband and wife team Mark and Laureen Dunning of Enumclaw.  The Dunnings began selling at other farmers’ markets in 2009, and added Maple Valley as a venue during the 2010 season. Laise-Jonas exudes, “There is nothing better than a hand-rolled, boiled and then hearthstone-baked warm bagel and cream cheese for breakfast—yes, they boil and bake their bagels right at the Farmers’ Market!”  The Daily Bagel’s morning menu consists of a variety of fresh baked bagels and bagel sandwiches.

      Another Market favorite is George’s Bakery, owned by Joe McKeown and Kathleen Stohesberry, who have a storefront in North Bend and who began to sell at farmers’ markets three years ago.  Their breakfast delights include plate-sized fresh donuts, assorted breads, and a wide variety of pastries such as cinnamon disks, pear-almond tarts, bran muffins, coffee cake, pan dowdy, and coffee cake.   Laise-Jonas commented, “Best of all, they use fresh fruit from our Farmers’ Market vendors!”

      New this year at the Market is Jack and Kim Emmons’ Mitzel’s American Kitchen.  The Emmons’ are the new owners of the longtime favorite Kent restaurant, and sell special Mitzel’s breakfast treats at the Market: fresh strawberry waffle bites, raspberry and cheezy bacon scones, and quiche lorraine.

      The most local breakfast establishment of all is Mama Rizzo’s Biscotti and More:  It’s a true family affair that includes parents Loretta and Jules Gommi, along with adult children Lorraine, Julie, and Michael at the booth. An assortment of lovingly-prepared, cooked-right-here-in-Maple Valley biscotti, coffee cake, and mini dessert bread loaves, can satisfy one’s morning sweet tooth at the Gommi’s “outdoor café.”

      Victoria Laise Jonas said, “All of these vendors are local business owners to the Maple Valley Farmers’ Market.   They signed up for the entire 16-week season and have not missed a Saturday.  Come say ‘hi’ to these wonderful folks!”

     While the breakfast treats fill the stomach and set a happy glow upon the day, the Market offers even more. August 27 is Fresh Fruit Pie Bake-Off, a competition open to youth (ages 17 and under), adults (ages 18-49), and seniors (50 and over). Each participant may submit one completely homemade pie in a disposable tin. The filling must be fresh fruit only–no tarts, crisps, creams, meringues, pumpkins, or custards, etc., will be accepted. Pies, accompanied by the recipe, may be submitted between 9:30 and 11:45 (Note:  pies will not be accepted after 11:45 a.m.), and judging will begin at noon.  Specific rules are available at http://www.maplevalleyfarmersmarket.org/Events.html.  Prizes range from $25 Market Bucks (1st place in each division) to $5 in Market Bucks (3rd place in each division).

     Music always sweetens the heart, and this week’s music will be provided at 11:00 a.m. by Ryegrass, a five-man band that has been performing a mix of traditional bluegrass, country, and contemporary music arranged for bluegrass instrumentation for the last decade. Band members include Lynn Oliver on banjo, dobro, and vocal; John Burke on fiddle and vocals; Paul Michel on mandolin and vocals; Chip Diemond on bass; and Maple Valley’s own Jim Hanna on guitar and vocals.

     As always, the non-profit booths will be filled at the Market and offering information to interested visitors.  This week SHADOW will have a booth and Kelin Doner, a young local entrepreneur will be selling her jewelry and other hand-made items.

     With 40+ vendors, the freshest of produce, jewelry and artistic creations, jam,  hot sauce, lavender products, beef jerky, gluten-free pasta, dairy products, and organic meat, the Market offers more than can even be sampled in a season!  And, with only five Saturdays remaining, time is running out to partake of and enjoy even a portion of the offerings.  And, yes, just ask Victoria Laise-Jonas, “The Maple Valley Farmers’ Market is the Saturday morning place to be!”  The Market is open from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. each Saturday through October 1 at Rock Creek Elementary School.   NOTE:  This article was written by Brooke Dillon and posted by Victoria Laise Jonas.