The Monroe Monitor & Valley News, Monroe, Washington, The Voice of the Sky Valley Since 1899

by POLLY KEARY, STAFF WRITER

After a hiatus of several years, farmers' markets are coming back to both Monroe and Sultan this summer.

"We're going to have honey, eggs, vegetables, cheese, flowers, berries, berries and more berries, apples and everything," said Beth Stucker, president of the Monroe Historical Society, which is organizing the weekly Monroe market. "We have some other vendors too. We got some music and some food, barbecue sandwiches, maybe we'll get a couple antique cars to park there."

Monroe's farmers market will take place Tuesdays from 2 to 7 p.m. at the gravel parking lot on Main Street across the street from the 7-11, starting June 3. Currently Tacos Pihuamo, a mobile Mexican restaurant, uses the site, and will continue to serve food during the market days.

There have been other attempts recently at farmers' markets, but they were unsuccessful due to difficult locations and low advertising, said Stucker. But after much research, organizers think this market has what it takes to succeed.

"We covered all the local markets and we're patterning ours off Edmonds," said Stucker. "They've had theirs for 10 years, and it, too, is sponsored by their historical society."

The Monroe Historical Society also chose Tuesdays so as not to compete with any other local market. "There's farmers that go to a different market every day of the week," said Stucker. "We're not in conflict with anyone but Carnation, and they're all the way in King County."

The Monroe Chamber of Commerce has been interested in reviving a farmers' market for some time, but no one wanted to undertake the rather arduous task. Then the historical society saw not only a chance to promote the farming tradition of the valley but to raise money for the organization. "We're looking at this for a fundraiser," said Stucker. "This could help us get a museum expansion. It's been a good fundraiser for Edmonds."

The society also got a grant from the Department of Agriculture to help get the event up and running.

A farmers' market will be of benefit to Monroe as a whole, said Stucker. "I think it's going to be a benefit to the farmers," she said.
And it should help the downtown business district, she said.
"Marketing analysis says the more you have, the more people come," she said. "You need more of everything."

But most of all, it will benefit local shoppers, she went on. "I think people want fresh food," she said. "With groceries going up in price because of the cost of fuel from California or wherever, we're really concentrating on local folks."

Sultan, too is getting a farmers' market. It will be called the Sky Valley Farmers Market and will take place at Sky River Park near the gazebo Fridays from 3 to 8 p.m. beginning May 30.

" This fun weekly event will feature local produce, crafts and entertainment," said organizers last week. "There will also be various educational presentations and craft exercises throughout the season."
The Sky Valley Farmers Market, sponsored by the Sky Valley Chamber of Commerce, is still seeking new vendors, although there are several already in place, said Nancy McWhirter, one of the organizers.

"We're focusing on local farmers, some from Eastern Washington," she said. "It's all Washington State."

Organizers are also seeking artisans and performers to help make Friday night at the market a fun weekly event for families to attend.
"This is a great opportunity to support our local economy and to educate our community about the benefits of eating foods grown close to home," said McWhirter.

The chamber of commerce also hopes that having the market at the park, located just off U.S. 2, will draw attention to the park. And McWhirter hopes that the market will help Sultan residents, who currently frequently drive to Monroe for groceries, save on fuel and time by shopping locally.

For information on how to be a part of the Sky River Farmers Market, call Nancy McWhirter at (360) 799-0977.

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