Five years strong — Enumclaw Farmer’s Market returns

Double the number of vendors will be setting up shop on First Street this year over 2022.

By Ray Miller-Still • May 16, 2023 11:00 am
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Photo by Ray Miller-Still The 2022 Enumclaw Farmer’s Market started off slow due to an unseasonable amount of rain, resulting in less-than-usual produce, so here’s a picture of the 2021 season and Garibo’s Farm, which is not signed up as a vendor this year (at least, not yet).
Photo by Ray Miller-Still The 2022 Enumclaw Farmer’s Market started off slow due to an unseasonable amount of rain, resulting in less-than-usual produce, so here’s a picture of the 2021 season and Garibo’s Farm, which is not signed up as a vendor this year (at least, not yet).

The Enumclaw Farmer’s Market is returning to First Street for its fifth year.

As usual, the first day of the market is the first Thursday of June (June 1) and will continue every Thursday, from 3 to 7 p.m., through September.

Last year’s market started out soggy, as rains both caused havoc for farmers trying to grow fresh produce and deterred shoppers from checking out other vendors, resulting in lower gross sales than previous years (about $100,000, less than 2019 and 2021, but more than 2020).

However, with a growing list of vendors — double that of last year, from 15 to 30 — the market is looking forward to continued success.

Attendees should note that not all vendors may be at every market day. Head to enumclawplateaufarmersmarket.org for a list of who will be attending the market each week.

Starring in this year’s market are nine farm vendors: Beauvine Natural with various meat products; Cedar Spring Farm, Enumclaw Farm LLC, Locust Hill Farm, and PNW Farms & Garden for your greens; Hayton Organics and its berries; Bella Flora, a micro flower farm; Ode To Joy Farm with pasture-raised eggs and no-dig, no-till veggies; and Rockridge Orchards with their ciders, vinegars, and fruits.

Numerous other artisans and value-added vendors will also be setting up tents: Gramma Berta’s Pantry (jams and jellies), Bangles by Grace (jewelry), Earths and Oils LLC (essential oil diffusers), Horse ‘n’ Round Studio (natural wool goods), Sacred Oak Apothecary (herbal products), Yorkpatty & Prime NW Clothing Co. (handmade clothing for babies and kids), and Wicked Mana’s Soaps and Sundries (the name says it all, really).

Finally, the farm will have the largest variety of beverage and food vendors since it started. Setting up on First Street is Born and Braised, which serves Filipino-inspired cuisine; the ever-popular Blue Barn Kettle Corn; Contrivance Wine & Mead Co., which does wine and mead samples, along bottle sales; Our Hive, a Black Diamond-based cold-pressed juice joint; Powell Baking Company with plant-based baked goods; Sugar Spoon Dough, which makes safe-to-eat cookie dough; and Z- Street Coffee, for those who need a little caffeine pick-me-up in the afternoon.

FOOD ACCESS PROGRAMS

The Enumclaw Farmer’s Market continues to participate in several food access programs.

Those who are enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can use their benefits card to receive “Market Money” and “SNAP Market Match” at the market’s information tent to purchase various products around the market. (The difference is that the vouchers are funded by different sources.)

SNAP users can receive up to $25 every market day they attend, and Enumclaw residents can receive an additional $25.

Benefits from the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Farmers Market Nutrition Program and the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program are also accepted by various vendors, and benefit cards can be used directly at a vendor’s stand.

Note that voucher checks have been discontinued for these programs.

Those enrolled in WIC receive $25 a month for fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables; pregnant and not breastfeeding women can get $44 a month, while breastfeeding participants receive $49; breastfeeding participants with twins or triplets receive $73.50 a month; and infants nine to 11 months old receive $4 a month.

You can apply to WIC at doh.wa.gov/you-and-your-family/wic/apply-wic.

Low-income seniors can receive a one-time $80 benefits.

For more information about the program or to apply by May 19, head to agingkingcounty.org/what-we-do/healthy-aging/#sfmnp.

Finally, the Kids’ POP (Power of Produce) Club is returning to the market. Children that sign up at the market receive $2 tokens every week to spend on fruits and vegetables.

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