2018 Market Volunteer Opportunities

Interested in volunteering at the Emerson-Garfield Farmers’ Market this season?

Our market is entirely volunteer-driven, which is why your participation could make the difference between something great and something amazing.

Here are the broad areas where we can use your volunteer assistance followed by a brief description of what’s involved. The commitment is flexible — there’s something for everyone and their busy schedules.

Bear in mind that there’s a how-to and existing resources for each of these areas, so you won’t be starting from scratch or going it alone. If something piques your interest, let us know and you’ll be given all the support you need to do it.

Scheduling musicians

Identify musicians who can perform each week at the market. Enter their contact info into a schedule. Ideally, be onsite during setup (2:30-3pm) to help them get them settled.

Vendor relations

Approach new vendors (typically farmers, bakers, ranchers, food trucks). Handle incoming applications. Make sure they’ve paid their fees and their questions are answered. Keep the process of application/payment/scheduling organized. We like to have about 25 vendors each week.

Social media

Post regularly on the market’s Facebook and Instagram pages with recipes, news, events, opportunities, photos, videos, etc. Create Facebook events each week to promote the market. Interact with vendors, customers, foodies, other markets on social media.

School market poster contest

This year it involves Garfield and Audubon Elementary. Get K-6 students to design market posters with the help of their art teachers, announcements in the Monday folders, etc. Collect and judge their submissions, notify the winners.

Print marketing

Get the market posters designed (maybe you know a graphic designer who can augment the school drawings?), printed and hung across town. Get market leaflets designed, printed and distributed.

Community partnerships/events

Got some ideas about fun community-centric activities you’d like to see? Use the market as a platform to put them into action! We like to involve churches, nonprofits, community centers, libraries, schools and other local organizations in the market. You would help identify and approach those organizations as well as plan and promote any special events, such as food truck rallies, our annual Craftwalk event, fun activities, themed market days, etc.

Cooking demos

Work with area chefs to hold cooking demonstrations using market ingredients about once per month.

Day-of volunteering

This means being onsite each Friday during the market season to help staff the market booth (info and payments), supervise the KERNEL kids’ activity, or set up and tear down. There’s already a place where you can sign up for individual shifts during the market season: http://bit.ly/EGFM-vols2018

Volunteer coordination and recruitment

Many hands make light work! If you can help bring more volunteers—family, friends, neighbors, classmates—into the fold, it means we can do bigger and better things with less individual effort. If someone wants to take the lead on organizing our volunteers, it would free core staff to concentrate on managerial stuff.

… so get in touch!

If one or more of those areas might be up your alley, or if you’d just like to learn more about what’s involved, just drop us a line and we’ll get back to you.

Craftwalk 2017

After taking a hiatus last year as the market transitioned to its new site, Craftwalk — our annual arts- and crafts-focused market — is returning this season. It’s scheduled for Friday, September 1.

What exactly happens during Craftwalk?

Well, every year we get phone calls and applications from way more arts and craft vendors than any single market can accommodate. For one market date in September we invite all of those artists and crafters out and make a special event of it.

On that day, these nonfood vendors form a huge ring along the sidewalk around the regularly scheduled farmers market.

Crafts + sidewalk = Craftwalk.

Typically Craftwalk vendors bring upcycled items, vintage goods, quilts, specialty clothing, knicknacks, soaps, jewelry, photographs, greeting cards, sculpture — you name it.

It’s a time when school’s starting and the weather is hinting that it’s about to turn colder, so Craftwalk is a good time to come browse for unique back-to-school goodies, small or large gifts, home décor, and a range of other items. Plus do some of your weekly food shopping, of course.

Admission is free for everyone, and the cost to participate as a vendor is just $10. To apply, we encourage you to use our free and easy online application form.

Questions? Call 255-3072 or send an e-mail to market@emersongarfield.org.

Vendors and Activities for Craftwalk, September 18

Well, we’ve arrived at our second annual Craftwalk, and what a day it’s going to be.

First up, we’ve got music by Broken Whistle. Every time they play, it’s a party. Even if you have no interest in our vendors’ fresh produce or unique handmade crafts, you’ll want to come down and see the band perform.

Just in time for the autumnal weather, this week’s free KERNEL activity is all about leaves. In keeping with the spirit of Craftwalk, kids will have a chance to do some leaf tracing and create some art of their own. What’s more, every child who participates gets $2 in Fresh Bucks for spending on fresh fruit and produce.

Spokane Hope Christian Reformed Church—the congregation that shares a building with Knox Presbyterian—is back again this week with their authentic, freshly prepared Korean food. There’s sushi, potstickers, gimbap, bulgogi, and lots more to eat at the market or take home.

And Bellwether Brewing Co. is joining us for the first time! They’re selling growlers of craft beer brewed right here in Emerson-Garfield – and you’ll be lucky enough to sample it before they’ve even opened their new building on North Monroe.

This is the lineup of all our regular vendors who have confirmed they’ll be attending today:

Petunia’s has a range of pasture-raised meat from Ramstead Ranch — just ask at their booth.

In addition to our usual craft booths listed above, here are all the artists and crafters who are scheduled to be joining us for our special Craftwalk event today:

  • Ravenna Designs – Handcrafted jewelry from new and upcycled materials
  • Koko and Lou – Hand-stamped metal and leather jewelry
  • All About That Baby – Handmade baby items including bibs, pocket T-shirts, teethers, twaddlers, quilts and onesies
  • The Hatching Hen – Silicone and wood beaded teething and nursing necklaces. Also suede braided pacifier clips
  • The Coop – Homemade candles, bath salts, body scrubs, mugs and more
  • Nathan O’Brien – Hand-drawn and -painted sketches and graphic art
  • Lisa Waddle Art – Block prints and acrylic paintings
  • Kaila Jones – Dish scrubbers, boot cuffs, reusable diaper wipes, coffee cozies, doll clothes, kids storage benches
  • Kathy Roberg – Tote bags from recycled plastic
  • Lexi Lou Jewels/Staggs & Staggs Sign Co. – Handmade jewelry and signs using upcycled, reclaimed and locally sourced materials
  • Gwen’s Aprons and More – Adult and child aprons, doll clothes, tote bags, dog coats, bibs, Christmas items and much more
  • Therapy Bracelets by Natalie – Handmade therapy magnet bracelets and custom necklaces and matching bracelets
  • D&L’s Handmade Creations – Jewelry, accessories, crocheted items and dream datchers
  • Perfectly Paris Boutique – Parisian-inspired necklaces and bracelets
  • Carol’s Creations – Journals, Christmas ornaments, books
  • made2give – Handmade gifts including aprons for women and children, bibs, baby pajamas, handbags, cards, fire starters and more
  • LC Finds and Designs – Handmade door wreaths for holidays and special occasions plus handmade cards
  • Meema’s Homegrown Creations – Microwave bowl holders and other handmade items
  • Rebekah Mincks – Quirky and custom knitted hats
  • Women’s Hearth – Various crafters with a range of handmade items

Craftwalk runs concurrently with the market, that is, 3-7pm. We hope to see you there!

Vendors and Activities for September 11

Today marks the fifteenth week of the Emerson-Garfield Farmers’ Market — which means there are just five markets left in the season after this Friday (with next week, September 18, being our big annual Craftwalk event). So be sure to make each one before the season passes you by!

This week’s KERNEL activity is hula hooping. Participants will get a lesson on how to make a hula hoop of their own and take part in some fun hoop-related games. You know, for kids. It’s free and it’s for children of all ages.

There’s tons and tons of lovely fall produce starting to appear. Our vendors are happy to give you recipes and cooking tips with some of their more exotic squash. That’s just one of many advantages a farmers market has over a supermarket.

The Scone Ranger is back this week! We forgot to note last week that he was on vacation. Sorry if that left you disappointed and scone-less, but you can sate your craving today.

No matter how much he brings, Fred from Mama Torrez can’t stop selling out of their new hatch pepper salsa. If you haven’t had a chance to try it, we suggest arriving as early as possible to make sure the overwhelming demand hasn’t gotten the better of his supply. And if you missed their debut last week, stop by and stock up on Common Crumb‘s bread. We’re super pleased to have them there.

Cody is today’s musician. He’s a longtime participant with Project Hope Spokane and has been practicing violin for a few years. He’s slowly building a repertoire, and we’re pleased to give him a live platform to do that. Don’t be afraid to say hello and see if he takes requests.

There are still some dump passes for residents of Emerson-Garfield Neighborhood. Each pass equates to a $20 credit at the Spokane Regional Solid Waste Facility, which is a nice bonus when you’re offloading yard, household or garage waste. Claim yours at the market booth.

Here’s everyone who’s scheduled to be with us today:

  • Awesome Possum – Handmade all-natural lotion bars and lip balms
  • Common Crumb Bakery – A range of traditional breads and baked goods
  • Country Buddies – Jams, salsas and more
  • Courtney’s Crafts for Costa Rica – Handmade jewelry, scrapbooks and more
  • The Father’s Table – Neighborhood-grown veggies, herbs and starts
  • Food for All (aka Vinegar Flats) – Locally grown veggies and herbs
  • KC Creations – Beaded lanyards, leashes, earrings, photos and custom cards
  • Mama Torrez Salsas – Authentic salsas, pico de gallo and chips
  • Mary Beauregard – Plastic canvas needlepoint
  • Morning Sun Bakery – Cinnamon rolls, muffins, cakes
  • Orange Thyme – Natural balms, soaps, perfume oils, body butters and more
  • Post Street Plants – Flowers, vegetable plants and off-the-vine produce
  • Riverfront Farm – Locally grown vegetables from Project Hope Spokane
  • R.P. Guerrero Farms – Organic fruit (cherries, peaches, nectarines, apples)
  • Rufino Zisumbo – Chair massage
  • 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

As a reminder, our market accepts EBT and FMNP (WIC) vouchers. For every $5 EBT clients put on their cards, they get an extra $2 in Fresh Bucks for spending on fresh fruit and produce.

Read down this far? Top marks. In return, we’ll let you in on our trivia challenge: $5 in market tokens to the first person who can name the movie from which the photo accompanying this point was taken. We’ll take your answer (today only) in person at the market info booth.

Craftwalk Returns on September 18

The second annual Craftwalk at the Emerson-Garfield Farmers’ Market is scheduled for Friday, September 18. It will run concurrent with the market (i.e., 3-7pm).

Not familiar with Craftwalk? This is a special event where our market welcomes specialty non-food vendors of all kinds. Local artists and crafters with unique handmade items such as quilts, knitwear, upcycled goods, jewelry, clothing, hats, sculpture, soaps and pottery will line the sidewalk around the perimeter of the regular market.

Because Craftwalk complements the usual market, there will be music, a full range of produce and baked goods, and authentic Korean food to eat there or take home.

Craftwalk is a great opportunity to pick up some cool items for the back-to-school season — or even get a head start on some of your Christmas shopping!

Are you an artist or crafter? You’re invited to take part! Booth spaces are only $10 (payable on the day). To register, fill out our online vendor application and note “Craftwalk” in any fields that aren’t applicable.

If you have questions or concerns, call us at 389-0964 or drop us a line at emerson.garfield@gmail.com.