Maple Valley Farmers Market

     On Saturday, October 1, accompanied by a steady mist of rain and a brilliant array of harvest-time fruits and vegetables, the third season of the Maple Valley Farmers’ Market came to an end. With 80 total vendors and approximately 21,000 visitors during the sixteen-week season, Board President Victoria Laise-Jonas could scarcely contain her enthusiasm.  She said, “This season was by far the best yet. With a record number of vendors at the market this year, the attendance was significantly up, and our overall sales for the market were up.  It was a great third year and it was due to our vendors, customers, volunteers, local non-profit organizations, our local sponsors, and the City of Maple Valley and the Tahoma School District, major co-sponsors of our very own Market.”

      Several new farmers and producers made appearances this year, including Hayton Farms–freshly-picked, succulent berries; Cha Farms–fresh flowers, bouquets, and vegetables; Lind Custom Meats—custom smoked jerky, summer sausage, pepperoni, and smoked cheese; Grapevine Farm Alpacas—gloves, socks, hats, scarves, sweaters, and yarn; Ramon Ayala Farm–fresh fruit and produce; Bees in the Burbs—local honey and honey products; Covington Creek Nursery–trees and shrubs, herbs and vegetables, flowering annuals, perennials and unusual “hard to find” plants;  and a Taste of Eden–oils and vinegars.  New vendors of prepared foods included Mitzel’s–breakfast and lunch items; Theo Dorres Aromatics—hand-blended, flavor-infused artisan teas; G & T Enterprises—shaved ice; and Island Bites—Filipino and Hawaiian food items. New artists this year included Berwyn Smith Alluvion—wood products and planter boxes; Lissy Lou Designs–jewelry, note cards, wood bowls, wooden pens; The Quilter Heron—quilts, table runners, placemats, potholders; Uniquely Yours—feather design jewelry and hair accessories; Palouse Lautrec Woodworking Studio—garden art, wood working, and home accessories; Bohemian Rhapsody—sewn home accessories; Ducky’s Designs—silk-screened t-shirts; Artistry in Wood by Ed–wood bowls, platters and home accessories; and many youth entrepreneurs selling their hand-crafted products for the first time. And, of course, every Market Saturday was enhanced by the live performance of a local musician, many new this year, as well as a wide array of non-profit groups.

     While the addition of a new portable classroom at the Rock Creek Elementary and the corresponding loss of vendor space could have thrown a damper on the Market, the Board just rearranged the vendor tents and kept the Market vibrant and bustling.  Third-year vendor Lori Gommi of Mama Rizzo’s Biscotti, said, “All the vendors were wonderful and by the time the Market was over, we all felt like family.  I miss them already!  Each year the Market gets better.  I have quite a few regulars and therefore look forward to seeing all of them again next year.  There were three babies born during the Market, so it’s increasing whether we want it to or not.  Word is getting out about our Market and more and more and more people are coming to it!” 

     Elizabeth Hooton of Maple Valley’s Lavender Valley Farm noted, “I have been at the Maple Valley Farmers’ Market since day one and each year it gets better.  Being a part of the local farmers’ market has not only helped my business grow, but I also love getting to interact with the other vendors and locals who come out to support it.  They have become my second family and I am already looking forward to next year!”

     Laise Jonas notes that the Maple Valley Farmers’ Market Board of Directors played a critical role in the success of this market’s season.  She is appreciative of their commitment to sustaining a local Farmers’ Market and said that their hard work is paying off.  She added, “In addition, there are some amazing volunteers, actually behind-the-scenes-superstars, whose talents and dedication have made the Market what it is today!”

     Plans are already underway for the fourth season of the Maple Valley Farmers’ Market, the “Saturday Morning Place to Be,” which will commence on Saturday, June 16, 2012.  Anyone interested in joining in the planning phase for next year’s Market should contact Victoria Laise Jonas, @info@maplevalleyfarmersmarket.org or (425) 463-6751, or friend us on FACEBOOK.    NOTE:  This article was written by Brooke Dillon and posted by Victoria Laise Jonas.