Gig Harbor is Putting the ‘Farm’ Back in Farmers Market

Kathleen Rose in the garden
Photo courtesy of Kathleen Rose.

 

By Margo Greenman

oly ortho

There are more than 37,000 farms in Washington State, 1,400 of which are located right here in Pierce County. With an abundance of locally grown and raised produce and meats at our fingertips, it would only seem natural for the majority of the foods we serve on our tables to be sourced right from our very own backyard. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Farmers markets and co-ops in Tacoma and Puyallup are a great venue for local farmers to share their goods with the community, but for people living on the other side of the Narrows Bridge, there hasn’t been a good local option for farm fresh fare — until now.

The Waterfront Farmers Market in Gig Harbor will celebrate its grand opening on Thursday, June 4, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
The Waterfront Farmers Market in Gig Harbor will celebrate its grand opening on Thursday, June 4, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Photo courtesy of Kathleen Rose.

Earlier this winter when the City of Gig Harbor publicly expressed its interest in a new type of market model for the community, Gig Harbor resident and farmer Kathleen Rose reached out. At the time, Rose was working for corporate America in the field of medical diagnostics, but, after buying a 100-year-old farm 10 years ago and becoming a certified Master Gardener, she was also passionate about agriculture. When Rose met with City Administrator, Ron Williams, and Gig Harbor Mayor, Jill Guernsey, last winter, her intention was to share her vision for what a farmers market should be. What resulted was a complete plan to roll out a new farmers market that would bring local, organic and farm fresh food to the community, and the city wanted Rose to lead the way.

With the opportunity to serve as the director of this new market, Rose made the decision to leave the cushy, corporate job she had worked at for more than 20 years and follow her passion.

A grassroots project designed to bring local, organic and farm fresh foods to the community, the Waterfront Farmers Market in Gig Harbor, which is governed by the nationally accredited non-profit the Downtown Waterfront Alliance and led under the guidance of Master Gardener Kathleen Rose, is all about returning the “farm” to the farmers market.

Waterfront Farmers Market in Gig Harbor Director, Kathleen Rose
Gig Harbor resident and certified Master Gardener Kathleen Rose reached out to the city earlier last winter to share her vision for a new farmers market. Photo courtesy of Kathleen Rose.

With just a few short months to organize the market in time for the summer season, Rose has been busy contacting local food producers, applying for grants, and connecting with other community members in preparation for the market’s grand opening. She is proud to announce that there are already 38 food producers lined-up for opening day of the market on June 4. “Thirty-eight food producers is not really something you would expect in a first season,” says Rose. “It just shows how much people want it.”

Included in the offerings that will be available at the market are grass-fed meats, farm fresh eggs, shellfish, goat cheese, fresh salsa, fruits and vegetables from eight produce farms, local wines, teas and even fresh figs from Rose’s farm, Rose Orchards. “The market will change over the season,” explains Rose. “You can’t get tomatoes in June.” At opening day of the market, Rose says market-goers can expect to see veggie starts with greens and hot vegetables appearing later in the summer. There will also be a few visiting farmers providing foods that grow as well in Western Washington, including an assortment of berries from Mount Vernon and fruits from Yakima. And, with a food-heavy focus, you won’t find crafts at this market. “Our space is limited,” says Rose. “This is not a craft market. This is about fresh food access.” However, farmers offering added value items like soap made from goat milk will be able to devote a portion of their booths to these kinds of products.

As a farmer herself, Rose is a passionate advocate for local farmers and understands the financial hardship many farmers experience. “Most of them take a loss,” she says, explaining that there are 16,000 small farmers in Washington State making less than $15,000 a year. “These individuals do it because they love it and because they believe in sustainability,” explains Rose. Because of this, Rose says the Waterfront Farmers Market will not be charging farmers a percent of sales, a standard fee applied at most other markets. “That’s why I’m accessing grants and sponsorships to fund this program,” explains Rose. “We are going to pay for this project another way.”

aims to bridge the local food gap, bringing the farmers to the community and the food to the table.
The Waterfront Farmers Market in Gig Harbor aims to bridge the local food gap, bringing the farmers to the community and the food to the table. Photo courtesy of Kathleen Rose.

For Rose, this first year of the market is all about connecting the community to their food producers, but the long range plan is about sustainability and growth. Because the market will take place in conjunction with Gig Harbor’s popular Thursday Night Out, Rose says she hopes to see the market positively affect other local businesses as well. “For every $1 spent at the farmers market, $1.39 goes back to the local economy,” explains Rose. “The downtown businesses will definitely benefit from this, and we’ve been very careful not to offer competitive products.”

With more and more people concerned not only about where their food comes from but also how it’s grown, farmers markets provide more than just a venue to buy fresh and local, they’re an outlet for education as well. With more than 1,400 farms based right here in Pierce County, the options for eating local are endless — as long as the food is made accessible. With 38 farms and counting, the Waterfront Farmers Market in Gig Harbor aims to bridge the local food gap, bringing the farmers to the community and the food to the table.

The Waterfront Farmers Market in Gig Harbor opens at Skansie Brothers Park on Thursday, June 4, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., and continues every Thursday through summer. If you would like to volunteer, sponsor, become a vendor or learn more about the market, contact Kathleen Rose at the Downtown Waterfront Alliance by phone at 253-514-0071 or via email at info@ghhwa.org.