Port Townsend Farmers Market Manager Will O'Donnell puts up a sign on Quincy Street announcing the seasonal market's return. Charlie Bermant/Peninsula Daily News

Port Townsend Farmers Market Manager Will O'Donnell puts up a sign on Quincy Street announcing the seasonal market's return. Charlie Bermant/Peninsula Daily News

Port Townsend Farmers Market opens for season today with a parade of goats

PORT TOWNSEND — A continuing interest in locally grown, healthy food will drive the opening of the Port Townsend Farmers Market’s 21st season today (Saturday).

“We have some really great vendors this year,” said Will O’Donnell, who is in his fifth year as market manager for the Jefferson County Farmers Market.

“All the local farmers have started an early cycle, and we will have lots of fresh, local eggs and produce,” O’Donnell said.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

A parade of about five goats will open the market on Tyler Street between Lawrence and Clay streets at 9 a.m., he said.

It’s the third year for the market’s running of the goats, which are provided by Harmony’s Way Farm in Chimacum. Owner Felicia Allen, who is a nationally known milk goat breeder, sells goat milk soap at the market.

Otto & Kristin Smith and Friends will perform music on violin and concertina, O’Donnell said.

Among the more than 50 vendors will be some who are new to the market this season.

Beaver Valley’s Moonlight Farm will sell humanely raised pork and eggs, O’Donnell said.

Port Townsend’s Woodland Nursery will sell Japanese maples, and two new artisan bakeries will offer their wares.

Artemis Breads will offer gluten-free breads and pastries.

Pane e Olio will sell Italian-style focaccia with traditional and local/seasonal toppings courtesy of Kellen Lynch, who is described by O’Donnell as a hometown boy who has made his way back to Port Townsend after culinary school and a few years cooking in some of Seattle’s best restaurants.

The market is hosting the launch of the two bakeries.

“We really want to be a place that people can start sustainable businesses,” O’Donnell said.

The market will be open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. each Saturday through December.

The Saturday Port Townsend market is the first of the three Jefferson County markets to open for the season.

Chimacum Farmers Market’s opening day will be Sunday, June 2. It will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Wednesday Port Townsend market will open for the season July 3.

It will run from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at a location to be determined.

O’Donnell said the Saturday market can draw as many as 2,000 patrons on a nice day, with about 80,000 people attending every year.

He had expected that economic conditions over the past few years would decrease market business, but that has not happened, he said, adding that goods sold at the market may appear to be more expensive, but that isn’t the case.

“If you compare us to what’s available in a supermarket, it should be ‘apples to apples,’” he said.

“If you compare the price of organic lettuce at the market with the same product at Safeway.”

O’Donnell said measures are in place to make it easier for lower-income people to shop at the market, which is the recipient of a grant from the state Attorney General’s Office.

Under this agreement, those with an EBT card can get an additional $5 if they purchase $10 in negotiable tokens.

Also, a grant from the Women, Infants and Children and Senior Farmers program provides $5 vouchers to those who qualify.

“We want to help people fill up their baskets with more fresh and healthy food,” O’Donnell said.

O’Donnell said most people are willing to spend a little more for quality food.

“People have found that calories are cheap, and nutrition and health are more expensive,” he said.

“We are encouraging people to invest in local, healthy and nutritious food.”

O’Donnell said most of the people attending the market are local, with some visitors from out of the area, though he shies away from using the word “tourists.”

“We are a foodie destination,” he said.

“We attract people who share our values about the importance of local food.”

For more information, visit www.jeffersoncountyfarmersmarket.org.

Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.

More in News

Mason Combs is 4 feet, 3 inches tall and has red hair, according to the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office. (Clallam County Sheriff’s Office)
Child located after agencies partner on search

A 10-year-old boy who had been missing since Tuesday has… Continue reading

Sequim research lab testing ways to use seaweed, resources

PNNL is only Department of Energy lab with marine facilities

Bonnie Obremski, front left, substitute garden manager, and volunteers Susan Savelle, yellow visor, Sarah Maloy, left rear, Paulette De Llario, right rear, and Mary Claire Hunt, rear, helped clean up the Salish Coast Production Garden at the Salish Elementary School in Port Townsend on Saturday. The garden produced more than 5,000 pounds of produce used for the school lunches last year and farmers are aiming for 7,000 pounds in 2025. Hunt will be honored as a community health hero by the Jefferson County Public Health department for her efforts in bringing together farmers and gardeners who donate their crops to the Jefferson County food bank with a presentation on Thursday at the Board of Jefferson County Commissioners’ chambers at the Jefferson County Courthouse. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Garden cleanup

Bonnie Obremski, front left, substitute garden manager, and volunteers Susan Savelle, yellow… Continue reading

Foundation purchases hospital equipment

Linear accelerator to be installed in May

Port Townsend updated on city’s workplan

Forty-five of 61 projects on track, city manager says

Welfare for Animals Guild receives $1,500 to provide spay and neuter services at the guild’s free veterinary clinics. Pictured, from left, are Laura Nieborsky, Barb Brabant, Emily Murphy and Mel Marshall.
Garden club makes donations through local grant program

The Port Angeles Garden Club has announced donations to… Continue reading

Facilities district for pool paused

Jefferson County does not receive grant

From left, Port Angeles school board members Sarah Methner, Mary Hebert, Stan Willams, Superintendent Marty Brewer, Kirsten Williams, Sandy Long and Nolan Duce, the district’s director of maintenance, turn the first shovel of dirt on Saturday at the location of the new construction just north of the present Stevens Middle School. An estimated crowd of 150 attended the ceremonial ground breaking. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
Port Angeles School District breaks ground at new middle school

Building is expected to open to students in 2027

Family displaced following house fire

A Clallam County family has been displaced due a… Continue reading

Two investigated for burglarizing home

The Clallam County Sheriff’s Office has arrested two individuals… Continue reading

Beach cleanups set for Earth Day weekend

Beach cleanups, a seed exchange, seed planting and music will mark Earth… Continue reading

Easter egg hunts scheduled for Saturday

Easter activities, including egg hunts and pictures with the Easter bunny, are… Continue reading