Liberty Lake Farmer’s Market excited for upcoming season

The City of Liberty Lake has a lot of heart. And one way it takes shape is in their Farmers’ Market—a vital, pulsating hub that has pumped life into the community and served as a model for other markets since 2001. Located in the Liberty Square Parking Lot in Liberty Lake, just 20 minutes from downtown Spokane and Coeur d’Alene, the market was the second of the now 10 markets sprinkled throughout the area to start at the hands of inspired community members with a vision of bringing economic vitality and unity to neighborhoods. Founded by siblings Jim Frank and Susan Parker, the Market is the result of Jim’s excited phone call to Susan one day while visiting New Zealand. He’d visited a successful farmers’ market there in a town similar in size and spirit to Liberty Lake and thought what a great thing it was and how it could be “a tremendous community asset” to his neighborhood. Susan agreed. So they got the ball rolling, did the legwork and filled out papers and although they only had eight vendors that first opening day, they had “high hopes for bigger things to come.” And they came. “Today, we average about 24 vendors a day, but sometimes will have up to 35, especially later in the season when the summer crops are ready,” said Angela Pizelo, market manager and an employee at Greenstone Homes, a local home-builder which provides in-kind staff support to the market. Also contributing to the operating budget of the market is the City of Liberty Lake which donates money for advertising. This year, however, Angela says the market is seeking more corporate sponsors to keep vendor fees low and be more sustainable long-term. To apply as a vendor, the fee is $50 with a membership fee of $100, which is higher than previous years but still low considering market fees in the area range from $300-$500 or more. The market, now in its 8th season, encourages consumers to learn more about their food through direct communication with the farmers and producers at the market by asking questions such as what varieties are offered and tips on how to best prepare local produce. Vendors regularly offer fresh fruits and vegetables in season, fresh flowers, plants, artisan breads, fresh made breakfast and lunch, and a variety of crafts. In 2008, the Market welcomed 13 new vendors including aNeMone Paper Flowers, Tonnemaker Hill Farm, Liberty Lake Wine Cellars, Coeur d’Alene Olive Oil Company, Petit Chat Bakery and Small Planet Tofu. In addition to its many vendors, the market has also grown with the addition of musicians and community groups lending to the festive and unified atmosphere. Last year the American Italian Club of Spokane joined forces with the market to present the Italian Festival, complete with a to-scale Leaning Tower of Pisa. Featured again this year, the festival will take place on Saturday, July 25 and will include bocce playing, an Italian trivia scavenger hunt and a kids “name-that-pasta” activity, as well as traditional Italian fare such as Italian pastries, Italian sausages and gelato, with do-it-yourself demonstrations. Another festival is the very popular Pie Festival in August—one of the market’s biggest events of the season. Modeled after an event that was put on in August 2007 at Pavillion Park, the event includes pie eating contests, a pie walk, and demonstrations on how to make pot pies. Featured local businesses have been White Box Pies, Mary Richardson’s Country Pot Pies and Spokane Master Food Preservers, among others. This year will see the addition of yet another festival—the Art at the Market Festival June 20. This is an exciting addition as the market is restricted to the number of craft vendors they are allowed to have participate on a normal basis. The Farmers’ Market also participates in state and local food assistance programs that supplement the food budgets of people with low incomes, and increases access to local foods for home bound seniors. The Market is authorized through the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services to accept WIC and Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program Vouchers, and participates in the Fresh Produce Program through Meals on Wheels. Last year approximately 1,800 fresh food packets were delivered through the program. “Farmers’ markets make it possible for community members to access local fresh and nutritious food sources,” said Angela. “And we want that to include all members, not just the ones who are able to ride their bike or walk to us.”