Island farmers markets open this month

April is finally ushering in warmer weather and the opening days of three farmers markets on the island.

Unfortunately, the Whidbey Island Farmers Market in Oak Harbor will not be up and running this year, but Elizabeth Case-Smith said it should return in the future. Case-Smith is the treasurer for the North Central Whidbey Farmers Market, the organization that runs the Coupeville Farmers Market.

She said vendors voted in 2022 to combine the longstanding Coupeville Farmers Market with the Whidbey Island Farmers Market. The market is not happening in Oak Harbor this season due to high costs, but she said the organization fully intends to restore it in the future.

The good news is that the Coupeville Farmers Market is the first of the markets to open on Saturday, April 22. The market is located on the community green next to the Coupeville Library. It is open every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. until October 14, except for the weekend of the Arts and Crafts Festival.

Case-Smith said the market is celebrating its 45th continuous year of operation and is one of the longest running farmer markets in the state. Lisa Temcov will perform live music on opening day.

“We have an almost all new board so there’s a lot of new exciting changes coming,” she said.

Case-Smith said the number of vendors varies each week. While this year has been cold, she said it’s not as bad as last year’s rainy spring and there should be more produce for sale this season, along with eggs and meat. Other vendors will sell art, blankets, bath and body products and candles.

Case-Smith said volunteers and planners are needed as the market is still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“If there’s anybody who feels passionate about it, feel free to reach out,” she said.

For more information, visit facebook.com/NorthcentralWhidbeyFarmersMarket.

On the South End, the Bayview Farmers Market opens on April 29 on Bayview Road in Langley. It is open every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. until Oct. 21. Kevin Firstad will be performing music on opening day and there is live music every Saturday.

Market manager Sharon Warwick said the market has been running for 23 years. This season, there will be plenty of fresh farm produce from Foggy Hill Farm, Sleepy Bee Farm, Foxtail Farm and Whidbey Island Seafood Company. Mark Stewart of One Willow Farm will be serving hot food every week, as well as espresso.

“We’ll have coffee which will be awesome,” Warwick said. “We’re all very excited to be caffeinated.”

Other food available include jam and jellies, fresh pasta, baked goods of all kinds, mead and cider. Artists will be selling candles, metal arts, pottery, planters, woodwork, clothing, jewelry and flowers.

On the second Saturday of every month, there is a program for kids called the Power of Produce Club, where kids can get involved in shopping for vegetables and learning about healthy eating. There will be a cooking demo once a month starting May 6.

The Bayview Farmers Market offers a $25 match for those who have EBT cards.

The last Whidbey market to open is the South Whidbey Tilth Farmers Market at 2812 Thompson Road in Langley. Opening day is April 30 and will feature a Maypole dance and celebration.. This market is open every Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. until Oct. 15.

Market Chair Pam Nodus said there are some new vendors this year and the market is still accepting applications. Produce, raw oysters locally sourced from tribal growers, jewelry, soaps, a vendor who sharpens knives and scissors, a blacksmith, tie dye sweatshirts and t-shirts, art lessons and cooking demonstration will all be regular offerings.

The last market of each month will have a children’s scavenger hunt where kids can earn “local bucks” to purchase $2 worth fruits or veggies from a vendor.

The Tilth market also accepts EBT cards and has a farmer market nutrition program for families who are on WIC and seniors who are income eligible, Nodus said. The program starts June 1.

Master Gardeners are going to be there every Sunday through the end of June gardening questions.

“It’s just a wonderful place to be,” Nodus said. “People just like being there, hanging out, listening to the music.”