Shop local for the best of the 253
By Rachel Kelly
Spring is in full swing, and summer is just around the corner! And along with the sunshine and sparkling waters, it’s farmers market season!Farmers markets here in the PNW have something for everyone. The star attraction is, of course, the seasonal produce. Everything from organic berries and peaches to zucchini and greens, farmers with produce brought from as close as within city limits to as far as Eastern Washington are present. And though the produce is certainly worth going for, there’s also the food trucks that serve lunch, dinner, dessert — and everything in between. This year will return all your favorites from all the best small vendors: kombucha, mushrooms, olive oil, breads, ciders/wines, honey, artists and crafters … our farmers markets are bursting with all the best that our area has to offer. Here’s a list of all the local markets with notes on the best locations to go for what you’re looking for.
There are four different markets in Tacoma, centrally located to all the various neighborhoods. The Broadway Farmers Market is located downtown on Thursdays and offers weekly live music. Ride the newly updated link from all the various neighborhoods into the center of downtown. The Broadway Market carries a surprising variety of produce, food trucks, and vendors for its smaller location. Open from May to October, it is the oldest and longest running market.
The Eastside Market is located at 5715 Reginald Gutierrez Lane in Tacoma and is offered on Fridays from June to August. This market is offered at the height of summer — offering everything from fruits and vegetables to honey and processed foods. This market proudly accepts EBT/P-EBT and offers the SNAP market match program. With generous funding from TAPCO Credit Union, this market also will offer the Apple-A-Day program.
The Proctor Farmers Market is Tacoma’s only year-round market, open every Saturday from March through December and every second Saturday throughout the winter. Proctor is unique for its offerings of meats as well as produce, flowers and artisan foods. Every week there is local music. Accepted at this market are also all the local Washington nutrition incentive programs.
Outside of Tacoma is where you will find two of the larger markets: one in downtown Puyallup and one in Lakewood. The Puyallup Market resembles a fair with its vast variety of artists and lines of food trucks. The Lakewood Market is held in Steilacoom Park and has room to host a huge variety of foods, food trucks, beer/wine, meats, breads, honey, flowers, and many of the farmers that are seen at the other local markets.
Whatever you’re looking for, and whatever your budget, the farmers market is the place to come for lunch and buy for dinner. Our farmers markets support our local artists and small businesses, often the focal point for chefs and artisanal makers to showcase their newest ideas. When you shop at a farmers market, you’re not just supporting local, you’re sampling the best there is.
For more information on local markets (including markets yet to be announced), check out TacomaFarmersMarket.com. To support our markets, be sure to attend the Grit City Gala on August 22. Check back on their website and follow them on Instagram and Facebook.