Seattle Press on Line - Columbia City Farmers Market Opening

Columbia City Farmers Market Opening

Mayor Greg Nickels takes a tour of the market with market director Karen Kinney. Sara Longley photo.

Jun 06, 2002 -- On the bright and cheery afternoon of May 29 the Columbia City Farmers Market got off to its fifth season.

In honor of opening day, several dignitaries including Mayor Greg Nickels, City Councilmember Nick Licata and State Senator Adam Kline were on hand to speak about the value of supporting small agriculture businesses. "What I love about this neighborhood," said Kline, "is that we're real people who come to a real market and buy real food--and support local farmers at the same time."

According to market director Karen Kinney, all the farmers selling here are returning from previous seasons, except Sweet and Savory, a catering company. In addition to local farmers and food vendors from the Puget Sound and Eastern Washington, the market also features a nonprofit section, where local groups set up for free. Kinney said master

Fouth and fifth graders from he Orca Elementary School gardening program with coordinator Caitlin Blethen. All proceeds from their sales benefit the program. Sara Longley photo.

gardeners and composters are often in attendance to spread information about organic gardening techniques. On hand for opening day were, among others, the Orcas Elementary School garden program, which is located across the street from the market, and the Seattle Youth Garden Works, a program for homeless teens, among others. Both were selling plant starts grown as part of their programs.

Free donated ice cream treats, provided by local company Arctic Ice Cream, were happily devoured by market vendors and shoppers alike as the market filled up with opening day customers. Music by Miles & Karina, a local rockabilly duo familiar to market-goers around Seattle, wafted through the air along with delicious smells from the food booths.

The Columbia City Farmers Market will be open every Wednesday from 3 - 7 p.m. between now and October 16. The market is located at Columbia Plaza, on the corner of Rainier Avenue S and S Edmunds Street, one block south of the Columbia City Library. For more information about the Neighborhood Farmers Market Alliance, call (206) 632-5234.

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