Queen Anne farmers market

Farmer's markets are great places to get food fresh from the farm, find fun new items and enjoy a little outdoor time. Queen Anne Farmers Market (QAFM) differs a little from other markets in that approximately 95% of the people attending live right in the neighborhood. After five years (it opened in 2006), it is like a weekly social with neighbors greeting each other and families enjoying time together. Fun, but serious business for the vendors. Fortunately, it's a very successful market and vendors tend to return each year.

Xiong Cha & Cha Garden tent

"We don't look at it like ‘what is the neighborhood doing for the market,' we are always thinking about what we can do for the community," says manager Jaime Collado. She has taken over the manager's job from Julie Whitehorn who managed the market from 2006-2010. QAFM is the only community-run farmers market in Seattle. "Because it's such a community event, we're thinking about investing in a long table to put in the prepared food area so people can eat and socialize. We also have music at the market. On opening day we had the children's choir from John Hay elementary school and we have a children's dance group coming." In addition to live music, they also have book signings and chef demos for both kids and adults. "Chef demos are great because the chefs can shop the market and then prepare something from those ingredients right then," says Jaime.

As a non-profit group, they rely on volunteers from the community, like the Seattle Pacific University nutrition students who help. Vendors pay to be in the market and the money goes to pay salaries, all permits and their minimal marketing costs. Jaime is involved in a number of groups to spread the word. She meets weekly with the Queen Anne Merchants Association.

With the changeover in managers, Jaime (at right) has the opportunity to start fresh in many ways. "It's been very fun to build. Julie did a good job and each opening day has been more successful than the last. This year was nearly 30% higher than last year. It's wonderful to see the look on the farmers' faces when they've sold everything they brought." 30,000 people visited the market in 2010 and there were 64 vendors (farmers and prepared food sellers). At least 60% of the vendors are returning from last year and there are new vendors signed up. "We have some amazing products this year," enthuses Jaime. "Our goal is to keep it fresh and look for young businesses and farms as well as established places. We keep it to farmers and food, no crafts. Everything is grown or made in Washington. Some farmers come all the way from Yakima to be here each week."

Queen Anne's market was founded by Dr. George Counts and Maria College. "George is well known and respected in Seattle," says Jaime. "He lives on Queen Anne and wanted to bring farmers into the neighborhood. Although it's not a requirement, we all live on Queen Anne. We love the neighborhood." The Department of Transportation has to approve applications since streets have to close and permits have to be issued. Seattle's Office of Economic Development has oversight of all markets in the City. Market staff reports to the QAFM Steering Committee, a group comprised of former volunteers and community members. It's led by Dr. Counts who is also the secretary of the Queen Anne Neighbors for Responsible Growth. The Steering Committee oversees market operations, community outreach and long-term sustainability of the market.

Jaime comes to the QAFM with management skills honed from seven years working at Caffe Ladro, then at Tom Douglas' Palace Kitchen. She still occasionally takes shifts for a friend at Tom's Brave Horse Tavern. She attended Bastyr University, for both undergraduate and graduate work, in nutrition and exercise, and has completed a preceptorship with Seattle Nutrition Action Consortium, teaching healthy eating classes for kids. "I spent one day a week for a year at Hamilton Middle School teaching nutrition to 12-year-olds. They ate me for breakfast," she laughs.

Challenges present themselves, no matter how much fun everyone is having. Two other farmers markets take place at the same time as QAFM, one in Bellevue which is no real problem, and one at Interbay, which is very close by. Jaime refuses to be worried. "How can it be a bad thing to have twice as many farmers in the city?" she asks. "And because we're supported so well by the Queen Anne neighborhood and not such a destination market, we do very well despite the competition." They also make it fun for vendors with a party and food before opening day and another planned at the end of the season.

With all the fresh produce, honey, cheese, meat, eggs, cider and more along with great prepared foods like crepes, burgers, Mexican items, barbecued pork and veggie sandwiches, salads and wraps, the QAFM is a must-visit market. Plan to stay for music and demos; you'll have as much fun as the staff!

Queen Anne Farmers Market Queen Anne Ave N and W Crockett Streets Top of Queen Anne hill June 2-October 6, 2011 3-7:30 p.m. every Thursday Mailing address: 2212 Queen Anne Ave North #523 Seattle, WA 98109 206-428-1983 www.qafma.net

Connie Adams/August-September 2011