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Pictures: Broadway Farmers Market 2010 opening day

This gorgeous Mother’s Day marked the opening day of the Broadway Farmers Market 2010 season. The market happens every Sunday from May 9 until December 19.  The market will be spending its final season in the parking lot behind Bank of America, and will be moving to a new location on the Hill next season.  Sunny weather and warm temperatures drew neighborhood folk to the market, which was bustling throughout its hours of operation, from 11 AM to 3 PM.  Towards the end of the day, many produce stands had run out of goods, so be sure to arrive early next week.


All Washington State farmers markets only allow farm produce and processed foods to be sold; this isn’t a place to find wholesalers, crafts, or flea markets. At this week’s Broadway market, there were bouquets of bright flowers, fresh fruits and vegetables from local farms, plants and herbs, organic meats and fish, wine, and fresh pasta, to name a few. There were even stands selling fresh tamales, crepes, and ice cream. New vendors to the Broadway Farmers Market include local businesses Rain Shadow Meats, Calf and Kid(Note: We have been informed that these businesses are not participating in the market.), Zaw Pizza, Loki Fish, Sunseed Farm, Columbia City Bakery, Communi-tea Kombucha, and Finn River Farm.  A general list of vendors can be found here, although it has yet to be fully updated.

Some things to note about the Broadway Farmers market include a weekly trivia contest, and the Ripe and Ready report.  The trivia contest foster communication and community by asking a question about one of the market vendors, and rewarding one winner per week (drawn at random) a prize of $10 in market tokens that can be used at any of the stands.  Ripe and Ready is a weekly report available via email subscription that details special produce that will be available at the coming week’s market.  The report isn’t limited to the Broadway Market; it will even tell you what you can find at other markets including West Seattle, Ballard, Fremont, etc.  See a sample report here, and subscribe here.  Another handy guide of produce availability is the Produce Calendar.  Also, follow Seattle Farmers Markets on Twitter!

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john
john
13 years ago

Can you explain how the different markets are part of different organizations? Isn’t the Broadway Market a different outfit than some other markets? Does your ripe and ready report apply to all of them? thanks

suzi
suzi
13 years ago

The Neighborhood Farmers Market Alliance is the organization that runs all of the neighborhood markets (Broadway, U-District, Ballard, etc). The Ripe and Ready report contains info for all of the markets. More info (and maybe better description) at the website: http://www.seattlefarmersmarkets.org/

Ross
Ross
13 years ago

I bought tomato starts and a bottle of wine :)

scoville
13 years ago

Last summer you could get flower bunches from the vendors for $5, but today these same size bunches were $10. Is this just a seasonal price that will go down at some time during the year, or should we expect to pay double what I have come accustomed to from now on? This is my first spring here, so I don’t know if this is normal for the start of the season or not.

Ann
Ann
13 years ago

The Fremont and Ballard Sunday Markets are run by a different organization, which actually started the first Capitol Hill farmers market about 8 months before the current one started. They also host one in Wallingford and Madrona.

http://www.fremontmarket.com/fremont/

The Neighborhood Farmers Market Alliance is oriented towards food producers only, whereas the Fremont Market folks support a broader market concept with other types of goods. NFMA partnered with the Broadway BIA to start up the second, and current market originally.

HTH

emartin
emartin
13 years ago

This is a very good question. I think mothers day may have a big something to do with the price increase.

Mike with curls
Mike with curls
13 years ago

The hours are very limited.

Suggest adding two hours, later.

This market is a great idea, but, the selection is very limited. I have found great bread, some excellent produce (leeks, chard, squash), smashing flowers, and several great cheeses.

Excuse to walk around, get out in the open air, find a snack, look for cute men.

Mike on the Lookout

DOD
DOD
13 years ago

I think it’s a temporary holiday price hike. I overheard people talking about the steep price increases at the Pike Place Market yesterday, too.

DOD
DOD
13 years ago

I love this market, but I also wish that it went to 5 PM. There have been a number of weekends (yesterday included) when I’ve missed it due to conflicting plans.

scoville
13 years ago

Wow. Not sure how I missed the Mother’s Day connection. Thanks. ;)

yancy
yancy
13 years ago

wow–after years and years of living near farmers markets that ran from 6am-9am, I thought we were spoiled here with these hours!
guess it’s all a matter of perspective…

Sheri LaVigne
Sheri LaVigne
13 years ago

Just to clarify, Calf & Kid Artisan cheese shop and Rain Shadow Meats are NOT vendors at the Broadway Farmer’s Market. They are both new small businesses permanently located in the new Melrose Market space at 1531 Melrose Ave (btwn. Pike & Pine).

jseattle
jseattle
13 years ago

Thanks for the note. I’ll make a correction. The list came from an organizer with the market.