Every Saturday when the community gathers to celebrate local foods and handcrafted artistry, the Sequim Farmers & Artisans Market (SFAM) extends its gratitude to the support of its incredible community partners.

As a 501(c)3 nonprofit, the market relies on the integral contributions of its partners to fulfill its mission of supporting local sustainable agriculture, small businesses, youth and nonprofit organizations.

The market exists to provide access to healthy food, educational programs, local art and culture, all resulting in a strengthened local economy.

This work would not be possible without the generous support of the extraordinary business community of Clallam County.

Stephanie Parker, chair of the SFAM Partnership Committee, is known to many in the business community as the point person for market relations and collaborations.

“It’s been a really trying time for a lot of these small businesses,” Parker said. “It is very inspiring to see how many small businesses that have been impacted by the pandemic believed in the market enough to continue prioritizing their support of us.”

Parker said that in conversations with season partners, there emerged an increased recognition of the importance of strengthening local food systems.

“Our partners really value the place our market has within the community,” she said. “Just being able to access local fruits and vegetables. We were all effected by the food chain disruptions and food shortages.”

SFAM’s Community Nutrition Programs, made possible by the generous contribution of Sound Community Bank, enables the market to distribute additional funds to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) recipients, as well as participants in the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program.

With the support of Sound Community Bank, participants in these programs can maximize their dollar at the market while supporting Clallam County farmers.

In collaboration with BrokersGroup Real Estate Professionals, SFAM runs a Waste Reduction Program, where the first 25 shoppers who present their reusable bag to the Market Information Booth receive $2 to spend with any vendor at the market. This program is offered every Saturday and it’s not uncommon to encounter a line forming before the opening market bell rings with shoppers lining up to present their reusable shopping bags.

Valued community sponsor and market neighbor Nutritious Movement sponsors monthly Kids Days and Senior Appreciation Days. Kids Day, which falls on the first Saturday of every month, allows the first 50 youths to visit the Market Information Booth get $2 to spend on fruits and vegetables at the market. This empowers local youth to become involved in their food choices.

Senior Appreciation Day falls on the last Saturday of every month, during which the first 50 seniors by the Market Information Booth receive $2 to spend anywhere at the market!

“These partners support our operations and strengthen our programs,” Parker said. “In return, it’s a great way for us at the market to spotlight local businesses.

“We see thousands of people come through the market throughout the season, both locals and tourists, so it’s a really great way for us to get our partners’ information out to those that come to market.”

The market extends its appreciation to its community partners and looks forward to many years of working together to develop new and exciting programs within the community.

“Without our partners, we couldn’t put on this market for the community,” Parker said.

The Sequim Farmers and Artisans Market is open every Saturday from 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. each Saturday through October.

Visit your community market at Sequim City Hall Plaza at North Sequim Avenue and West Cedar Street, and at Centennial Place at the Sequim Avenue and Washington Street intersection.

Want more market updates? Be sure to tune in every Friday at 4 p.m. to KSQM 91.5 FM for the live radio “Sequim Farmers & Artisans Market Hour.”

Emma Jane “EJ” Garcia is the Market Manager for the Sequim Farmers & Artisans Market.

Check out fresh fruits and vegetables at the Sea Basket Farm booth. Photo courtesy of Greg Gundy/Sea Basket Farm

Nathan Van Laningham welcomes visitors to the Sequim Bike Works booth at the Sequim Farmers & Artisans Market. Photo by Emma Jane “EJ” Garcia

Davis Stevenson shows off a wooden bowl at the Northwest Beach Works booth at the Sequim Farmers & Artisans Market. Photo by Emma Jane “EJ” Garcia