Fresh Produce Stars at Pasco, Washington Farmers
Baked Goods, Crafts, Boutique Foods Also Found at Twice-Weekly Event
May 30, 2009
What’s available at the popular Pasco Farmers Market depends on the season. Asparagus is always a popular spring item, as are starter plants for city gardeners. Summer sees boxes of corn, cherries, peaches and berries. Fall features a variety of apples and late-season vegetables.
Pasco Farmers Market Features Fresh Produce
Most of the produce has been picked only that morning, so it’s really farm fresh. Set-up starts at 7 a.m., which means farmers were in their fields really early harvesting enough fruits and vegetables for sale that morning. And the freshness is guaranteed. Farmers who sell less-than fresh produce without telling buyers about this are required to refund the buyer’s money.
The produce is gorgeous, all attractively arranged on tables. But consumers shouldn’t expect any bargains on prices. Pasco Farmers Market requires farmers to sell at retail prices. Organic produce also is available.
Farmers Market Has Stringent Rules for Sellers
Though some farmers have been selling there for years, it’s not easy to become a vendor at the Pasco Farmers Market. The market has 10 pages of rules and regulations that vendors must adhere to if they want to sell their products at the market. For example, artists must submit a sampling of their crafts to market officials, who will decide if the craft item is a good fit for the market’s goals.
The produce must be grown by Washington farmers on their own farms or nearby farms. Farmers in counties bordering Washington, such as Umatilla County in Oregon, are also eligible to sell at the Pasco market.
Pasco Has Largest Open-Air Farmers Market in the State
The Pasco Farmers Market is the largest open-air farmers market in Washington State. It’s also the oldest in the southcentral Washington area. Farmers markets can also be found in Pasco’s neighboring cities of Kennewick, Richland and West Richland, but none have as many farmers or other vendors selling goods.
The Pasco Farmers Market has two large open-air buildings for the main sales area. Each farmer has space to set up a sales table and back in a pick-up or small truck to hold inventory waiting sale. On the west side, there’s space for vendors to set up sales area for crafts and plants. To the north are mobile kitchens selling beverages and prepared foods. When the market opens in the spring, only one building may be full with vendors, but by fall, every available inch is crammed with someone selling something.
Besides produce, food products for sale include salsa mix and barbecue sauces, meat, kettle corn, emu eggs and baked goods such as breads, cookies and turnovers. In short, a little bit of everything.
Pasco Farmers Market Is Open May Through October
The Pasco Farmers Market is open from May through October, every Wednesday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon. It’s located on Fourth Avenue between Lewis and Columbia Streets in downtown Pasco.
Related Article
Seattle's Pike Place Market Draws Tourists -- Pike Place Market is the oldest farmers market in the state, dating back to 1907. It's also a major tourist attraction in Seattle, attracting more than 10 million visitors annually.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
