For questions: Call Chris Curtis at 632-5234

(Seattle) Fresh produce shoppers who seek the best, the most unusual, and the

widest variety of fresh, local farm products don’t have much longer to wait. The University District Farmers Market will be opening for its 9th season on Saturday, May 26^th at 9:00 a.m. Located on the corner of NE 50^th and University Way NE, the market will be open every Saturday between 9:00 am –2:00 pm through November 3rd.

Market coordinator Chris Curtis says the market will have more variety this year. “In addition to the usual incredible array of Puget Sound fruits and vegetables, organic produce, Eastern Washington fruit and vegetables, nuts, cheese, fresh flowers, pasta, honey, mushrooms, cider, and fresh baked goods, this season we’ll have a variety of Puget Sound fish and organically fed free-range chickens.”

Market Coordinator Chris Curtis said that over the past six months “Farmers Market representatives and Health Department officials have been meeting to review health department regs to expand the types of products available at farmers markets throughout King County. This year farmers markets will be able to sell fresh frozen fish, poultry and pork. Like all the fresh produce at the market, meat and poultry can only be sold by the farmers. All products must meet USDA approval for slaughtering and packaging and Health Department regulations for safety.”

More and more local farmers are trying their hand at direct sales through local

Farmers Markets. Direct selling provides most farmers some hedge against the

increasingly downward spiral of farm prices, and helps offset the increased costs of farm equipment and labor. Farmers can triple and sometimes quadruple their return over wholesale by selling direct at a Farmers Market. “It’s a big boost to local growers, and local shoppers get the benefits of buying fresh, buying quality and getting to know the people who actually grow their food.” said local farmer Michelle Blakely of Growing Things Farm in Carnation, who sells at the University District, Columbia City, and West Seattle Farmers Market

Opening Day festivities start at 10:00 am on Saturday, May 26th and include special music by the Canote Brothers, visits by city Council members Nick Licata, Jan Drago and Richard Conlin plus King County Executive Ron Sims and free mule drawn covered wagon rides up and down the “Ave.” Starting in mid-June the Market will host weekly special events including produce tastings, shoppin’ and strollin’ music and the very popular on-site chef’s cooking demonstrations. The market is also authorized this year to QUEST Cards, the electronic benefit food stamp card mad WIC Farmers Market nutrition coupons.

University District Farmers Market

Saturdays May 26 – November 3 9 am- 2 pm

On the playfield at University Heights Center

Corner of NE 50^th and University Way NE

Parking tokens available for one free hour of parking.

Please Note: There is major construction on NE 50^th street. Shoppers who drive will need to detour around 50^th street at the Market site and use NE 47^th street. All north-south arterials are open, including 15^th NE, University Way NE and Brooklyn NE. Shopper parking is available at the parking lot behind the Rite-Aid drugstore on Brooklyn. Tokens good for one free hour of parking at this lot are available at the Market information table.

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