Photo:
Ballard Farmers Market. Credit: Valerie Hinojosa/Flickr CC
Update:
More and more Puget Sound-area farmers markets are opening, giving families additional places to buy produce and support local farmers. All markets will have specific social distancing and other shopping rules in place, so check before you go. Examples include wearing a mask, leaving dogs at home and sending one shopper per household.
- Everett Farmers Market, open Sundays
- Tacoma's Broadway Farmers Market, open Thursdays, starting May 28
- Madrona Farmers Market, open Fridays, starting May 29
- Crossroads Farmers Market, open Tuesdays, starting June 2
- Tacoma's Eastside Farmers Market, open Tuesdays, starting June 2
- Kirkland Farmers Market, open Wednesdays, starting June 3
- Sammamish Farmers Market, open Wednesdays in a new location, starting June 3
- Issaquah Farmers Market, open Saturdays, starting June 6
- Tacoma's Point Ruston Farmers Market, open Sundays, starting June 7
- Auburn International Farmers Market, open Sundays, starting June 7
- Farm Stand at Rainier Beach Urban Farm and Wetlands, open Thursdays, starting June 18
- Lakewood Farmers Market, open Fridays, starting June 19
Update (published May 7): Two additional local farmers markets will be open this weekend, joining the recently reopened University District Farmers Market (open Saturdays, 9 a.m.–2 p.m.), and Ballard Farmers Market (open Sundays, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.).
The two newly reopening farmers markets are the Puyallup Farmers Market, open Saturday, May 9, 9 a.m.–2 p.m., and the West Seattle Farmers Market, open Sunday, May 10, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. (for its second Sunday).
Shoppers at both markets should expect new procedures and rules in place to keep vendors and shoppers safe.
The Puyallup Farmers Market will open in a new location, the South Hill Mall parking lot, to allow for increased spacing for vendors. In a detailed Facebook post, market organizers say this Saturday's opening is a "trial run" for just one day. New rules include practicing social distancing while shopping, shopping efficiently, wearing a mask and having just one individual shop for a household. Check Facebook for additional updates and a list of participating vendors.
The West Seattle Farmers Market reopened last Sunday, with rules and safety measures in place similar to those at the Ballard Farmers Market and U District Farmers Market. Some West Seattle vendors are offering preorders and all shoppers are asked to adhere to behavior expectations. These include following social distancing guidelines, shopping efficiently and shopping alone.
In time for Mother's Day on Sunday, May 10, both the University District and West Seattle farmers markets will have flower vendors participating.
Original story (published April 17):
Two popular Seattle farmers markets will reopen this weekend for families to buy produce and other food items from local farmers and providers. The two markets are the Univeristy District Farmers Market, which operates on Saturdays, and the Ballard Farmers Market, which operates on Sundays.
The U District Farmers Market will be open Saturday, April 18, 9 a.m.–2 p.m., and the Ballard Farmers Market will be open Sunday, April 19, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. (If operations go safely, these markets will continue operating on this schedule. Check websites for updates and possible status changes.)
New rules and safety measures will make the farmers market shopping experience a new one for families. Ballard plans to offer "drive-through" service, where customers can pick up orders placed with vendors in advance.
Walk-up shoppers can still come to both markets, but must adhere to detailed new rules, and are encouraged to take a safety pledge. Among the new rules are these restrictions:
- Shoppers may not touch produce; vendors will select and bag items.
- Shoppers must maintain six feet of space from other shoppers and vendors, and are encouraged to wear masks and shop quickly.
- Shoppers are encouraged to pre-pay by ordering from vendors or use contactless payment methods such as Apple Pay or Venmo.
- Shoppers may not bring pets, except for service animals.
- Vendors may not offer samples, sell ready-to-eat food or fill reusable containers.
- Vendors must wear gloves and masks, and practice regular handwashing.
Check each market's Facebook page for updates: U District Farmers Market Facebook page and Ballard Farmers Market Facebook page. This FAQ page has more details on safety measures and rules for both markets.
