Market Poster Contest Winners for 2016

Posted on by E-G Market

The winners of this year’s Emerson-Garfield Farmers’ Market poster contest are Madison Whitmarsh (grade 3) and Brynn Hooper (grade 2), both of Garfield Elementary.

Typically we pick one winner from each participating school, but, sadly, Audubon Elementary submitted no entries this year. Fortunately, the strong showing from Garfield Elementary even led to an honorable mention for the first time: Sarah Banuelos. Our judges really liked her colorful vendor couple.

Madison Whitmarsh – Grade 3, Garfield Elementary
Brynn Hooper – Grade 2, Garfield Elementary

Madison and Brynn will each receive $15 in tokens to spend at the opening market on Friday, June 10. Their fully credited drawings will also be used for the print posters and handbills we use to promote the market throughout the season.

Many, many thanks to every student who entered a drawing. We really appreciate your participation.

Next year the contest returns to Trinity Catholic School and Spokane Public Montessori. Get your crayons and markers ready!

Volunteers Needed for 2016 Season

Posted on by E-G Market

Our market is looking for committed volunteers for the 2016 season. This year the season will likely run from June 10 to September 30 (exact dates are still being finalized).

Specifically, we need people who are willing to help in the following areas:

  • Recruiting vendors before and during the market season
  • Liaising regularly with vendors throughout the season to ensure their needs are being met
  • Setting up and breaking down the market each Friday (takes place before 3pm and after 7pm)
  • Staffing the market booth to answer customer inquiries and swipe credit/debit/EBT cards in exchange for tokens
  • Organizing the annual school poster contest
  • Creating and distributing promotional materials (e.g., posters, flyers)
  • Maintaining the market’s social media (e.g., blog and Facebook)
  • Scheduling activities and musicians each week
  • Establishing partnerships with likeminded area nonprofits
  • Coordinating the market’s participation in FMNP and the WSFMA
  • Collecting vendor tokens, entering weekly tallies and requesting payment

You don’t necessarily need expertise in any of these areas! Our existing volunteers are happy to provide one-on-one mentoring.

We’re also open to working with organizations that are looking for internship placement opportunities. The market offers on-the-job experience in PR, marketing, entrepreneurship, management, budgeting, and lots more. It’s the perfect learn-by-doing environment to train young adults in these valuable job skills. And because our market is concerned with outreach, food access and community-building, it has the potential to be much more fulfilling than ordinary internships.

If you’re interested in any of these opportunities, please send us an e-mail.

As the Emerson-Garfield Farmers’ Market is a grassroots, community-oriented initiative, your involvement—even if it’s one market per month or one hour per week—is essential to making it happen.

Vendors and Activities for October 16: Season Finale!

Posted on by E-G Market

Well, here it is. The final market of the season. It always leaves us a little sad, but beginnings and ends are a necessary part of the seasonal cycle. And few people are more attuned to the seasons than our growers.

In what’s now become a popular tradition, we’ll have a hand-cranked wooden cider press at today’s market. You’re welcome to bring or buy your own apples for pressing — and don’t forget a jug or container of some kind.

Because of the cider press, we’ll also have lots of residual mash. You’re welcome to take this (chickens and compost piles love it), so feel free to show up and haul it away. We’ll also have straw bales left over at the end of market. You can grab them for a couple bucks — they make great Halloween décor for your porch!

For music, we’ve got Bryant McKinley (aka Spokaloo) playing classic pop and rock hits today.

Spokane Hope Christian Reformed Church will be serving their authentic Korean food for eating in or taking home. We’re not sure if they’re continuing after market season, so don’t miss what could be your last chance this year for their bulgogi, potstickers, kimchi fried rice, sushi, and more.

Here are the vendors who’ve said that they’re planning to attend today:

  • Common Crumb Bakery – A range of traditional breads and baked goods
  • Food for All (aka Vinegar Flats) – Locally grown veggies and herbs
  • Mary Beauregard – Plastic canvas needlepoint
  • Morning Sun Bakery – Cinnamon rolls, muffins, cakes
  • Orange Thyme – Natural balms, soaps, perfume oils, body butters and more
  • Rebekah Mincks – Unique hand-knitted hats
  • Riverfront Farm – Locally grown vegetables from Project Hope Spokane
  • R.P. Guerrero Farms – Organic fruit (cherries, peaches, nectarines, apples)
  • The Scone Ranger – Sweet and savory scones
  • Simply Sweets – Confectionery including baklava and brittles
  • Song Sparrow Farms – Locally grown vegetables
  • Vladimir Kuzmenko – Fruits and vegetables from the Yakima area

We should also have some dump passes (worth $20 in credit at the Spokane Regional Waste Facility) on hand for Emerson-Garfield residents. Pick them up at the market info booth.

We’re looking forward to you joining us for the last market of 2015!

Vendors and Activities for October 9

Posted on by E-G Market

Today we’re super excited to welcome children’s author Katherine Pryor back to the market to read from Zora’s Zucchini, her follow-up to last year’s Sylvia’s Spinach. How many more young veggie skeptics will she turn into die-hard devotees of fresh produce? Katherine will be doing several free readings throughout the duration of the market (3-7pm). School’s out today, so bring your little ones to this fun activity!

Copies of both books will be for sale, with paperback/hardcover prices ranging from $8 to 15. SNAP/EBT families will be able to get a free copy of the book (while supplies last) by showing their card. A big thanks to Catholic Charities Food for All, the Washington State Farmers Market Association and the Washington State Department of Health for providing the support necessary to bring Katherine back to our market.

Lau the classical pianist is returning, too, for his final market appearance of the season. He’ll be performing between Katherine’s readings.

Vladimir is scheduled to return from California this week, and he’ll be bringing persimmons with him. This is typically the only out-of-state produce we allow, but we do so because they’re novel, nutrient-rich, and very tasty in smoothies and jams. R.P. Guerrero will be back this week, too, and rumor has it that he’s bringing his authentic recipe, fresh-made salsa for sale.

Lots of our vendors have been bringing more and more pumpkins and squashes each week. Song Sparrow in particular has a great selection that’s very affordable.

And without further ado, here’s everyone who will be joining us today:

  • Common Crumb Bakery – A range of traditional breads and baked goods
  • Food for All (aka Vinegar Flats) – Locally grown veggies and herbs
  • KC Creations – Beaded lanyards, leashes, earrings, photos and custom cards
  • Morning Sun Bakery – Cinnamon rolls, muffins, cakes
  • Rebekah Mincks – Unique hand-knitted hats
  • Riverfront Farm – Locally grown vegetables from Project Hope Spokane
  • R.P. Guerrero Farms – Organic fruit (pears, apples etc.) and fresh salsas
  • The Scone Ranger – Sweet and savory scones
  • Simply Sweets – Confectionery including baklava and brittles
  • Song Sparrow Farms – Locally grown vegetables
  • Vladimir Kuzmenko – Fruits and vegetables from the Yakima area

We look forward to seeing you at this second-to-last market of the season!

Vendors and Activities for October 2

Posted on by E-G Market

It’s official: We’re now in the final month of the 2015 season. Just three markets left.

But as we start to wind down, we’re revisiting some of the things that made the start of the season so fun. We’ve got demo this week called “Herbs for Health”. Our guest Dr. Mead will show you different herbs that you can easily grow or purchase and how to prepare them to make effective homemade remedies, tonics and salves.

As for vendors, we’ve got a very intimate market today that’s reminiscent of our first season two years ago. Vladimir is in California checking on his persimmons, so he’s unable to attend, but he’ll be back next week. Some of our other familiar faces have had to excuse themselves this week on account of schedule changes, inadequate supply, and pressing commitments.

Here’s who’s with us:

  • Common Crumb Bakery – A range of traditional breads and baked goods
  • The Farm Yard – Neighborhood-grown veggies, herbs and more
  • Food for All (aka Vinegar Flats) – Locally grown veggies and herbs
  • KC Creations – Beaded lanyards, leashes, earrings, photos and custom cards
  • Mary Beauregard – Plastic canvas needlepoint
  • Morning Sun Bakery – Cinnamon rolls, muffins, cakes
  • Riverfront Farm – Locally grown vegetables from Project Hope Spokane
  • Rufino Zisumbo – Chair massage
  • The Scone Ranger – Sweet and savory scones
  • Simply Sweets – Confectionery including baklava and brittles
  • Song Sparrow Farms – Locally grown vegetables

Though it’s small, we hope you’ll come out and support the vendors who continue to participate as autumn sets in!