"Farmers markets should be for everyone." This core value belief is seen in action every Friday from 3-7pm at 2310 N. Monroe during the Emerson-Garfield Farmers' Market.
The Emerson-Garfield Farmers' Market is a totally grassroots, seasonal weekly marketplace that has an average of 20 vendors who sell the following: organic, locally grown fruits and vegetables, baked goods including some gluten-free options, artisanal soaps, treats for your dogs, raw and flavored honey, flowers and plant starts, crafts, kettle corn, floral arrangements and occasionally pasture-raised meats. It's now in its fifth season.
The story of how the Emerson-Garfield Farmers' Market came to be is an inspiring one. Little did I know that until a recent phone conversation/interview that I had with the volunteer market manager, E.J. Iannelli. E.J., who is a writer and translator by trade and moved from Germany to Spokane with his family 7 years ago, is much more than a market manager. Like the rest of the market vendors and volunteer staff, he truly carries the heart of all that this market can be and how it can touch lives in as a practical way as putting nutritious food on the tables of local families.
Emerson-Garfield Farmers' Market was born out of a desire by the Emerson-Garfield Neighborhood Council to foster a sense of community and create positive activities that would help bring the wider neighborhood (there are 9,000 residents in the E-G area) together.
Yet the road to launching the market was lined with many hurdles. They had no funding, no experience running a market, and no buzz. But the people and partners who were involved from the start (E.J., Dave Musser, Project Hope Spokane, Catholic Charities Spokane) persevered out of their strong shared goals, and the Emerson-Garfield Farmers' Market went from idea to reality in record time — just two months! The first market was held on July 17, 2013 in the parking lot of Knox Presbyterian Church.
"The aim of the market is to bring fresh, healthy, affordable goods that
are locally grown or produced to the residents of Emerson-Garfield as well
as all those who pass through our up-and-coming neighborhood. An
intentional side benefit is that it also serves as a community hub,
bringing both people and organizations together and cultivating meaningful
relationships between them."
As you scroll through the pictures below you will see that at the
Emerson-Garfield Farmers Market its about the people. The market
facilitates in bringing people together, connecting them, and gives them a
place of common ground and belonging.
"In addition weekly musical entertainment from a variety of bands and solo artists, the Emerson-Garfield Farmers’ Market features regular events, such as cooking demos, book readings for all ages, craft fairs, cider pressing and kids’ activities. Other events are a hands-on composting workshop, a home canning and pickling demo, a vermiculture tutorial, book readings and much more. Many businesses and nonprofits take advantage of the casual, friendly atmosphere to set up an outreach table and raise awareness about their services. In the past the Emerson-Garfield Farmers’ Market has hosted booths by the Main Market Co-op, doctors’ offices, the Lands Council, BECU, Allstate Insurance, neighborhood schools and many others."
The 2017 market season started on June 9th and will conclude on September 29th with a season finale that includes a hand-cranked cider press and a cooking demo with celebrity chef Ricky Webster. So that means you have three more Fridays to go visit, connect and support the local community.
If you would be interested in partnering with the Emerson-Garfield Farmers’ Market to schedule an activity, conduct a workshop, set up an outreach table, etc. you may get in touch with them via market@emersongarfield.org. They are always receptive to new suggestions and opportunities!
For additional information about Emerson-Garfield Farmers Market you can find them on Facebook, Instagram and you can also visit their website Emerson-Garfield Farmers Market
If you have further questions about the market you can get in touch by calling (509) 255-3072 or you may email market@emersongarfield.org.
A huge thank you to Rogue Heart Media for providing the images for this blog post and for so beautifully capturing the heart of the Emerson-Garfield farmer market.
Spokane locals, Rob and Megan Kennedy own and operate Rogue Heart Media which is a production studio focused on photo, video and web services for community minded businesses and organizations.