In between writing this introduction to The Daily Herald’s Farmers Market Guide, I tore off a hunk of Snohomish Bakery’s fougasse (focaccia’s crispier, leaf-shaped French cousin) and found four whole garlic cloves inside the spongy bread. Yes: Four cloves in one piece.
They were sweet and deeply roasted and really, people who don’t skimp on garlic are my favorite people.
I ripped the bread and dunked it in Olive Branch’s Italian herb-infused olive oil, then spooned on tayberry jam — a sweet, floral cross between a red raspberry and a blackberry — from Bateman Acres. A winning flavor trio.
My afternoon snacking session would not have been possible without the Snohomish Farmers Market, which opened for its 31st season last Thursday. Fewer things are better than finding so many beautiful, locally grown and handmade goods all in one place.
“I love seeing what people come up with not just in their products, but how they create and display their products, how they interact with people,” said Sarah Dylan Jensen, market manager for Snohomish, Lake Stevens and Stanwood farmers markets. “You’re getting authentic, handcrafted artisan goods, foods, dressings and sauces, in addition to produce that’s been grown pretty much in your backyard.”
Most (if not all) the farmers markets here don’t allow resellers, meaning the vendors you meet will have prepared, cooked, grown, sewn and canned all products themselves.
“You really are getting that guarantee that that product has been made by the person sitting in the booth,” Jensen said.
You’ll find a lot of businesses born during the pandemic too, including Shannilu’s Sweets , which began as a baking challenge for owner Shandra Schaefbauer: After her first batch of “not ugly, almost perfect” macarons, she was determined to improve and eventually make a business out of it.
Two years later, her macarons at Snohomish Farmers Market are smooth, colorful and glittery, with flavors like blueberry lemon, salted caramel and strawberries & cream.
Food trucks like Paella House also made an appearance: Hungry patrons could watch as short grain rice was sprinkled over the deep red broth along with local seafood like Penncove mussels, in large, shallow paella pans that can feed up to 18 people.
People wander past vendors at the Snohomish Farmers Market on Thursday. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish Farmers Market had a cool, rainy first day of the season, which reminds me: Be patient, especially at the start of the season and with our local farmers. This spring has been unseasonably chilly, which may delay certain items like berries. We still found lots of beautiful produce, such as the rainbow chard, radishes, turnips, bok choy and herbs at Radicle Roots Farm, and Bateman Acres’ rhubarb (they also make strawberry rhubarb and raspberry rhubarb jams).
“We’re going into our fifth year, and I’m really grateful,” said Bateman Acres owner Jamie Williams, clad in a “Jam Lady” hoodie.
Note: This list only includes weekly farmers markets, not farm stands or multi-day produce markets. We’re still confirming with a few other markets on whether they are opening this year, so we may provide an update to the digital guide in the near future.
Snohomish County
Arlington Farmers Market
114 N. Olympic Ave., Arlington
When: Saturdays beginning May 7 through September, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and monthly holiday markets in October, November and December.
The Rundown: Head downtown to Legion Memorial Park, where Arlington Farmers Market will feature a mobile bloom bar, jams, jellies, salad greens and other fresh veggies, pasture-raised beef, wild fish, hula hoops, salsa, a library on wheels and more. SNAP, SNAP Market Match, Pandemic EBT, WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program and Senior benefits will be accepted. The farmers market can match SNAP, EBT or Pandemic EBT funds up to $40, doubling qualified shoppers’ funds.
More markets: There will be an additional market this year on Fridays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Stilly Valley Senior Center, 18308 Smokey Point Blvd.
Questions: info@stillyvalleychamber.com or call 360-659-5453
For more information, including on how to become a vendor, visit: www.stillyvalleychamber.com/farmersmarket/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/arlingtonwafarmersmarket
Mayor Linda Redmon rings the opening bell for the Snohomish Farmers Market’s 31st season on Thursday. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds Museum Summer Market
118 5th Ave N, Edmonds
When: Saturdays beginning May 7 to Oct. 8, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Rundown: The Edmonds Museum Summer Market hosts about 90 vendors every Saturday through the spring and summer season, all of whom are family-owned businesses. You’ll find local farmers, producers, artists, bakers, wine makers, florists and more each week. Edmonds Museum Summer Market does not allow resellers or imported goods, instead showcasing small, local businesses with unique and scratch-made (or grown) goods.
Questions: MarketInfo@historicedmonds.org
For more information, including a vendor directory and how to become a vendor, visit: www.historicedmonds.org/summer-market/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/edmondsmuseumsummermarket/
Everett Farmers Market
2930 Wetmore Ave., Everett
When: Sundays beginning May 8 to Oct. 30, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with early shopping for seniors and high risk customers at 10:30 a.m.
The Rundown: With more than 90 vendors this season, Everett Farmers Market offers a wide array of meats, sweets, libations, coffee, condiments, flowers and more artisan-made goods. You’ll have the perfect Sunday stroll in downtown Everett. Shoppers with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)/EBT benefits can also buy more fruits and vegetables with SNAP Market Match.
Questions: (425) 422-5656
For more information, including a vendor directory and how to become a vendor, visit: www.everettfarmersmarket.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheEverettFarmersMarket
Granite Falls Farmers Market
Cascade Ave., Granite Falls
When: Sundays beginning June 5 to Aug. 28, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
The Rundown: Granite Falls Farmers Market is excited to welcome more than 30 vendors to its 8th annual event for great local shopping. This year the market will feature a new loyalty punch card, weekly giveaways and more.
Questions, including on how to become a vendor: granitefallsfarmersmarket@gmail.com or call (253) 414-7061.
For more information, visit: www.granitefallswa.com/farmersmarket/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/GraniteFallsFarmersMarket/
Lake Stevens Farmers Market
1806 Main Street, Lake Stevens
Wednesdays beginning June 1 through August, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The Rundown: Get your market goods from local farmers, food-makers, artisans and processors, with plenty of kid-friendly activities in a beautiful park. Enjoy fresh flowers, bountiful produce, honey, farm-raised meat and more. Lake Stevens Farmers Market accepts WIC, Senior FMNP and SNAP/EBT benefits, and offers SNAP Match programs for the 2022 season.
Questions: Manager@lakestevensfarmersmarket.org
For more information, including a vendor directory and how to become a vendor, visit: www.lakestevensfarmersmarket.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/lakestevensfarmersmarket
Monroe Farmers Market
1 Galaxy Way, Monroe
When: Wednesdays beginning May 25 to Sept. 7, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The Rundown: Mushrooms, seasonal Washington-grown produce like asparagus, honey, hazelnuts, pecans, knife sharpening, food trucks and a petting zoo are just a few of the wonderful finds at Monroe Farmers Market, which will host more than 80 vendors this year. The farmers market is also WIC-approved and is working on getting an EBT machine for its opening day to accept SNAP benefits.
Questions: director@choosemonroe.com
For more information, including how to become a vendor, visit: www.choosemonroe.com/event.aspx?id=257642
Facebook: www.facebook.com/monroewafarmers/
Skykomish Open Air Market
108 W Railroad Ave N, Skykomish
When: Third Saturday of the month from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., beginning in May: May 21, June 18, July 16, Aug. 20, Sept. 17.
The Rundown: Handcrafted wares by local artisans, including photography, jewelry, knit and crocheted items and art cards as well as garden produce. The Depot will be open for free train rides.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Skykomish-Open-Air-Market-1931791380247585
Snohomish Farmers Market
114 Union Ave, Snohomish
When: Thursdays beginning May 5 through September from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The Rundown: Boasting 100 vendors in 2022, Snohomish Farmers Market is starting off strong in its 31st year. We found fresh seafood, local meats, artisan breads, sweets, frozen yogurt, mead, wine, organic produce, doughnuts, live music and more on the market’s first day. Snohomish Farmers Market accepts WIC, Senior FMNP and SNAP/EBT benefits, and offers SNAP Match programs for the 2022 season.
For more information, including a vendor directory and how to become a vendor, visit: www.snohomishfarmersmarket.org
Questions: snohomishfarmersmarket@gmail.com or call 425-280-4150
Stanwood Farmers Market
8727 271st St. NW, Stanwood
When: Fridays beginning June 3 to Oct. 7, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The Rundown: Stanwood Farmers Market is a gathering of farmers, local agricultural producers, food artisans, craftspeople and more, supporting the Stanwood and Camano Island communities and businesses. Stanwood Farmers Market accepts WIC, Senior FMNP and SNAP/EBT benefits, and offers SNAP Match programs for the 2022 season.
Questions: info@stanwoodfarmersmarket.org or call 425-280-4150
For more information, including a vendor directory and how to become a vendor, visit: www.stanwoodfarmersmarket.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/stanwoodfarmersmarket.org/
Island County
Bayview Farmers Market
Outside Bayview Community Hall at 5642 Bayview Road, Langley
When: Saturdays beginning April 30 through Oct.15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Rundown: Featuring more than 50 farmers, growers, processors, concessionaires and craftspeople this season, Bayview Farmers Market is the perfect place for outdoor shopping on Whidbey Island. You’ll find beeswax candles, locally grown frozen fruit (to hold us over until berry season), wild Alaska salmon, grain-free foods, fudge, cider, baked goods, jewelry, pottery and more. Bayview accepts SNAP/EBT, WIC and senior FMNP benefits for produce purchases.
For more information, including a vendor directory and how to become a vendor, visit: www.bayviewfarmersmarket.com.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bayviewfarmersmarket/
South Whidbey Tilth Farmers Market
2812 Thompson Road, Langley
When: Sundays beginning in May through Oct. 16. Hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. through Sept. 25, then 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in October.
The Rundown: Make your Whidbey Island trip a farmers market weekend. After Bayview, head to the Tilth Farmers Market on Sunday. Sip organic coffee and listen to live music while you browse (and/or buy) bath scrubs, flower bouquets, organic produce, artisan crafts, plant starts, delicious food and more. The produce vendors can accept SNAP coupons as well as Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program coupons.
For more information, visit: www.southwhidbeytilth.org/market.html or call (360) 321-0757.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SouthWhidbeyTilthFarmersMarket/
SNAP/EBT, WIC, FMNP benefits information:
For more information on SNAP/EBT: https://doh.wa.gov/you-and-your-family/nutrition-and-physical-activity/healthy-eating/snap-match-programs/snap-market-match?combine=&county=998
For more information on WIC programs: https://www.wicprograms.org/co/wa-snohomish
For more information on the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program: https://www.snohomishcountywa.gov/FormCenter/HumanServices-66/WA-Senior-Farmers-Market-Nutrition-Progr-551
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