By Lisa Bridge

Farmers Markets have been an access point for fresh farm foods and artisan goods for over five thousand years. Pike Place Market is the oldest in Washington, having started in 1907. The Sequim and Port Angeles Farmers Markets have both been open for more than 20 years.

WSU Clallam Extension has been providing support to help our local markets all the while. WSU Extension serves as a science-based resource for community health, agricultural practices, and economic development. Sharing many overlapping goals, farmers markets and WSU extension offices have long worked collaboratively. Let’s spotlight the Community Health side of farmers markets!

Five ways farmers markets champion community health:

• Unlike supermarkets, with their beguiling aisles of soda, candy and potato chips, farmers markets put fresh fruits and vegetables front and center.

• At local farmers markets, most of the produce is being sold at peak nutritiousness having been harvested within 24-48 hours. By contrast, some grocery store produce is stored for weeks before it reaches the customer’s plate.

• Farmers markets are not only shopping outlets, they are weekly community-building gatherings that celebrate growers, artisans and regional abundance.

• All farmers markets on the Olympic Peninsula accept SNAP EBT, which makes fresh and nutritious food more accessible to low-income families.

• Farmers Markets increase prosperity for farmers by serving as a consistent outlet for direct sales, which benefits the local economy and contributes to community food security.

Nutrition in the spotlight

Farmers Markets work hard to make fresh and healthy food accessible for families. Beginning with the 2014 Farm Bill, Nutrition Incentive Programs like Market Match have increased SNAP shopper purchasing power for nutritious foods while benefiting local farmers with increased sales.

WSU is behind the scenes doing the systems and policy work that keep the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Women, Infants and Children (WIC) and Low-Income Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) functioning.

WSU Clallam Extension played a pivotal part in establishing the now thriving Sequim Farmers and Artisans Market Community Nutrition Program. It was their informative presentation on the needs of the Sequim community that was able to demonstrate to the market board the value of investing in the program.

In 2021, Sequim Farmers & Artisans Market saw a near 200 percent participation increase across their Community Nutrition Programs. In 2021, the Sequim Market vendors earned $11,840 in combined SNAP and SNAP Match sales and $1,923 in FMNP incentive sales.

At the Port Angeles Farmers Market in 2021, vendors brought in $15,041 in total EBT and $10,948 in SNAP Market Match incentive dollars. For PA Farmers Market, we saw a 114-percent increase in EBT/SNAP from 2020 to 2021.

For the 2022 Sequim Market Season, SNAP shoppers will receive a full dollar-for-dollar match for every SNAP EBT transaction they complete at the market. WIC and Senior FMNP recipients who present a full check booklet at the Market Information Booth will receive an additional $40 in market tokens which may be used to purchase fruit and vegetables. Port Angeles Market will share information on their matching fund program soon.

Community survey coming soon

WSU Clallam Extension is partnering with Farmers Markets across Clallam and Jefferson Counties to learn how farmers markets can better serve our community.

So our programs continue to improve, the WSU Clallam Extension Community Health team will be launching a survey in mid-June. Stay tuned!

Lisa Bridge is a communications staffer with Clallam County WSU Extension.

At the market

• Sequim Farmers & Artisans Market

When: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturdays, May 14-Oct. 29

Where: Sequim Civic Center plaza, 152 W. Cedar St.

On the web: sequimmarket.com

• Port Angeles Farmers Market

When: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturdays, year-round (rain or shine); 4-7 p.m. Wednesdays, June 29-Aug. 31

Where: Gateway Transit Center, downtown Port Angeles

On the web: portangelesfarmersmarket.com