Yelm Farmers Market Now Open
Yelm, WA — The ever-expanding Yelm Farmers Market is open for the 2019 summer season with more local vendors and foot traffic than ever before.
Yelm area residents will find the Yelm City Park and Community Center filled with locally grown fruit, vegetables, and other handcrafted products 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Saturday until October 26.
“Last year we had more foot traffic at the market than any other year,” Market Manager Jon Jamieson said in reference to moving the market back to the Yelm City Park last year. “We expect even more visitors this year with the new splash pad and playground at Yelm City Park — Saturdays at the market will be a day that everyone can enjoy.”
More than 35 local vendors, including the Masonry Cafe, who will be slinging baked goods out of the Community Center kitchen all season came out for opening weekend, which is 10 more vendors than opening day last year. The market requires 80 percent of vendor products to be made or grown by the vendor, providing shoppers the experience of purchasing goods that aren’t available anywhere else.
Another highlight of this year’s market is the emphasis on young market-goers and the Power of Produce program, a program that gives children $2 in tokens per week to get them involved in the market. Market vendors will have discounted or low cost items set aside, specifically for kids to purchase with their tokens, giving them the ability to choose what they want to buy. Kids can also choose to save their weekly tokens and purchase something at a higher price.
The Power of Produce program not only teaches kids money handling skills, but introduces them to locally grown produce and the importance of supporting local businesses, according to Kayla Blanch, Power of Produce program manager and Bounty for Families board member.
“The Farmer’s Market is such a valuable event for the community and local businesses and we are glad to have it back in Yelm,” City Administrator Michael Grayum said. “Last year was a tremendous success and it should continue to grow in popularity, especially with many other events happening alongside the market this year.”
With the recent expansion of community events, the market will share space with Prairie Days, the Seattle to Portland bicycle race, Jazz Festival, and Yelm’s first Barbecue Rally. The City and the Farmers Market have worked with many event organizers to make it a habit for community members to get out and pay a visit to Yelm City Park on Saturdays.
“It’s going to be a great summer season with plenty of activities for everyone,” Jamieson said. “I can’t wait to see everyone out there enjoying the great things this community has to offer.”
Photos by the Yelm Farmers Market
