Shop local farmers markets for local food

Put the Anacortes Farmers Market on your shopping schedule for this Saturday. Get out of the house and go. It is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Then go to the Mount Vernon Farmers Market May 23. Or reverse the schedule: Saturday is opening day for the Mount Vernon market.

When the Anacortes market opened its 2020 season May 2, the scene was very different from last year. Both markets are a festive place. As public markets, people gather to socialize, listen to music, eat prepared foods, relax and soak up sun. That is why you go. Alas, not this year.

Last Saturday Anacortes had many fewer vendors. Fir Island’s Frog’s Song Farm and Moondance Farm outside Acme were the only two produce farms, along with flower bouquets from Yeng Gardens. Samish Bay Cheese, Bow Hill Blueberries and Breadfarm came in from the Bow-Edison area. There was honey, hazelnuts, goat cheese, fermented kraut and kvass and several to go options: juices, Mexican and pizza. Live music, a staple, is on hold and needs to be figured out to fit guidelines.

Market Director Faye Litzinger prepared for customers with spray painted arrows on the ground directing people, caution tape and several handwashing stations. She said her focus was maintaining a clean and safe site for everyone. They have their health permit and have been inspected.

“Our highest priority is that the safety of customers is protected while at our site,” she said. “We know people need to get food. We want to be a good option for people. They can leave their home and come to us and feel good about it.”

As essential workers, they are putting in lots of hours. “In my opinion it is worth it because it is so important to get the community local healthy food and help out local businesses” Litzinger emphasized. “I am stressed but it is worth it.”

She is looking for volunteers. Her corps are elderly and are not participating, which is good. She says to call or email to sign up.

Her commitment: “We do think farmers markets are more important than ever in providing community resilience. By buying local you are supporting your local farmers. We are all in a loop together.”

Information: 360-293-7922, [email protected].