Millwood may inherit market

A farmers’ market that kept north Spokane stocked with fresh vegetables and homemade crafts is considering a new home in Millwood.

The Humble Earth Farmers’ Market’s previous location near Ash and Wellesley won’t be available this summer, and community leaders are talking about hosting the weekly market in the town of 1,600.

“I think it will be good. People are pretty excited,” said Millwood Mayor Dan Mork.

The market likely would take place Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and would start this spring.

It would be both the first farmers’ market in Millwood and the only market of its kind between Spokane and Liberty Lake.

“It sounds like a really great location,” said Anna Ethington, who manages the market and another at 12th Avenue and Perry Street on the South Hill.

If approved, Millwood’s market would bring in 20 to 25 vendors and live music. Items for sale typically include produce grown on farms near Wapato in the Yakima area, Spokane and Spokane Valley as well as crafts.

“You have to grow everything that you sell,” said Ethington.

If it receives approval before mid-February, the market also can participate in senior nutrition programs and the state’s Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women Infants and Children, more widely known as WIC.

Community members notified town officials that the market was looking to move, and the Town Council discussed the idea at its last meeting. Once more details are ironed out with Ethington and others, the council is expected to vote on the proposal next month.

Costs to the city would be nominal, Mork said.

Nothing has been finalized, but Ethington said her vendors found the possibility of using Millwood’s park a block east of Argonne on Frederick appealing.

“It’s much nicer standing on grass than on hot pavement,” she said.