Federal Way Farmers Market grand opening coming May 9
Published 1:30 am Friday, May 1, 2026
The Federal Way Farmers Market will open for the season at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 9, at its new location on South 316th Street between Town Square Park and the Federal Way Performing Arts and Event Center.
An opening day program will include a Mother’s Day poem from community member Bob Darrigan, a bagpiper, and a ceremony to present the Federal Way Farmers Market poster to Mayor Jim Ferrell and sponsors. Additionally, the mayor will kick off the market season in a surprise way.
Ferrell told the Mirror that he is “thrilled” to welcome the return of the Federal Way Farmers Market this season.
“With its new location and, for the first time, fully managed by our Parks Department, this year marks an exciting new chapter that brings fresh energy, greater community connection and a vibrant space for residents to gather, shop local and celebrate all that makes our city unique,” Ferrell said.
Along with the new location, guests will see some other tweaks and changes, including what a city spokesperson described as a “farm first” model. This means that when selecting vendors, the city is prioritizing agriculture and farm-direct processors as well as bakeries, prepared food stalls and packaged foods with a smaller mix of artisans and crafters than in past years.
The city is also working on finalizing an interactive map where guests can look ahead to see what vendors will be present at upcoming markets.
The tool is not live yet, but here is a sneak peak of some highlights for the opening weekend:
• Farms: Amador Farms, Lor’s Vegetable and Flowers, Flowers by MK, Sidhu Farms, Jireh Farms and Va Garden.
• Prepared and packaged foods and bakeries: Pike Street Nuts, Brett’s Texas Style BBQ, Simply Kettle, Cookie Drop, Novo Bees, The Draught Smiths Meadery, Lazy Soul Hot Sauce, TruDelights Bakery and Fairy Forest Bakery.
• Food trucks and hot foods: IWA Burmese, T’s Messy Potatoes, Tacos La China Poblana, New Beginnings Ministry Chicken BBQ and West Coast Seattle Boy Brunch Truck.
About the market
The market is designed to help make fresh, local food accessible to everyone and accepts several food assistance programs, including SNAP / EBT, P-EBT, SunBucks, SNAP Market Match, WIC (Food and Cash Benefits), SFMNP (Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program) and Senior Benefits Vouchers.
During the Federal Way Farmers Market, South 316th Street will be closed with barricades in place.
Parking is available at Town Square Park and in and around downtown Federal Way, including nearby public lots within walking distance of the market.
The Federal Way Farmers Market has been a staple in the community since its inaugural season in 2003, and was run by Rose Ehl and her daughter Karla Kolibab, alongside Rose’s late husband, David Ehl.
In 2025, the City of Federal Way assumed ownership of the market to “ensure its continued operation and long-term stability,” as the city shared in an overview of the market’s history.
The market will be open most Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. with the season wrapping up at the end of September.
Now that the market will be managed by the city’s parks department, the market will not be held on weekends when there are co-occurring city events like the Red, White and Blues Festival on July 4, for example.
Federal Way’s Got Talent competition will continue this summer, with the first round of tryouts on June 6. The Taste of Federal Way food festival will also be coming back this year and will be combined with the market’s season end celebration.
Learn more about how to shop, vend or simply enjoy the market at federalwayfarmersmarket.com.
