Federal Way Farmers Market kicks off 13th year this Saturday

Published 2:55 pm Friday, May 6, 2016

Fresh fruits and vegetables, bouquets of flowers, music, art, food and a super slide bouncy toy for children will fill the Sears parking lot this Saturday.

The 13th annual Federal Way Farmers Market is ready for its debut.

Organizer Rose Ehl said opening day will include speakers Mayor Jim Ferrell, Brenda Oliver with the Federal Way Coalition Against Trafficking announcing the Break the Chains 5k on May 14, Greater Federal Way Chamber of Commerce CEO Rebecca Martin, and representatives announcing two new events this summer and fall.

The summer event, Green Fest, will be announced by Jeanette Brizendine, Robert Grothe and Laura Moser with Waste Management. Green Fest will be held Aug. 13 that will focus on solar energy, sustainability and recycling.

“They just thought that it was a better fix to have it at the market because we have a lot of that there with the farmers and everything,” Ehl said.

It will be the city of Federal Way’s sixth annual Green Fest, which has been held in the past at the Federal Way Community Center.

The second event to be announced at the farmers market has a little more bark – literally.

Katrina Minton-Davis and her dog will present Pet Day, an event to be held Oct. 1. Pet Day will feature a American Cancer Society Bark for Life pet parade that residents can register their pets to walk in. Proceeds from the $25 pet registration will go toward the American Cancer Society, and there will be a booth to sign up pups once a month.

Ehl said residents can thank the Federal Way Community Center for bringing Pet Day to the market.

City official Steve McNey will emcee the event, which starts at 10 a.m.

After a presentation of this year’s new poster, which was created by the Federal Way Mirror’s Marcie Shannon, Ehl said there will be afternoon entertainment from a youth choir and children’s choir from Integrity Life Music and Art.

“They’re going to perform, and then Shane Cobane performs as Elvis,” Ehl said, adding that the four high school bands, led by Thomas Jefferson band director Mike Lewis, will also be at the market opener.

Market vendors

Mrs. Pickles, formerly known as Lynnae’s Gourmet Pickles, will return, along with Fresh Mini Donuts, KettleKorn, Shaved Ice, Gourmet Popcorn, Fudge and Pastries, a beef jerkey vendor (who sells many flavors of jerkey), and several arts, jewelry and crafts vendors.

“Many vendors will be giving out items for our opening celebration and will have the 2016 market grocery bags and posters for sale,” Ehl said in an email.

New food vendors in the food court include Caribbean Delights, Lumpia dishes and Roasted Corn, among others.

“A huge hit from the spring fair was Mexican corn on the cob, so they’re bringing that to our market this year,” Ehl said, adding that there’s also a new coffee vendor and a Filipino food vendor.

Of the 30 seasonal farmers, there’s five flower vendors that will sell large bouquets. Decatur Horticulture and Brothers 3 Farm will also have a booth.

Ehl said she got to look at an egg at Decatur’s Horticulture class.

“I asked the difference — ‘How do you know if there’s something living in that egg?’ — so he took a flashlight and showed me,” she said. “It’ll be very interesting having them on here. There might be chickens.”

Fresh Bucks

This year, South King County markets were awarded a $1.5 million grant from the USDA for Fresh Bucks, which matches EBT dollars that customers use to purchase fruit and vegetables. It’s the first year Federal Way Farmers Market will utilize the grant.

“We are very excited for this program, as it will help many families make healthy eating choices,” Ehl said. “Those who have an EBT card, if they say, ‘I would like $10 on my card,’ we’ll be able to give them $10 match. That’s $20. It’s gonna be a huge help for people who are on their assistance for fresh fruits and vegetables.”

The Federal Way Farmers Market is sponsored by Virginia Mason, BECU, the city of Federal Way, Waste Management, Heritage Bank, FWCAT, Pacific Northwest Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons, American Cancer Society and the Federal Way Community Center.

The Federal Way Farmers Market will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays from May 7 to Oct. 29.

For more information or for a schedule of the market’s events, visit www.federalwayfarmersmarket.com.