PORT TOWNSEND — The 31st season of the Jefferson County Farmers Markets, which includes the Port Townsend market closing Saturday and the Chimacum Farmers Market, which closed for the season on Oct. 29, has seen continued growth, said Market Director Amanda Milholland.
“After several years of COVID-19 operations, Jefferson County Farmers Markets (JCFM) began bringing back market programs last season,” Milholland said in a press release.
During 2023, JCFM hired a part-time marketing coordinator funded by the USDA, revived the JCFM chef demonstration program to its pre-pandemic level and, with community support, offered an April-through-October lineup of 53 live concerts at the Port Townsend and Chimacum farmers markets.
JCFM welcomed more than 100 businesses and 30 nonprofits to the two farmers markets this year, Milholland said, adding that sales were above those of 2022.
Looking ahead, the JCFM board of directors is examining feedback through vendor and community surveys for the work plan for the next three to five years.
Among future decisions are whether JCFM should revive a mid-week farmers market, develop a mobile farmers market to reach more of East Jefferson County or build a permanent covered venue for the Port Townsend Farmers Market, Milholland said.
To learn about ways to support JCFM or to apply to participate in the market, visit the JCFM website at jcfmarkets.org. Vendor applications will be available by the end of December at https://jcfmarkets.org/apply-jcfm.
Applications for the Port Townsend market are due Feb. 1. Chimacum market applications are due March 1.
