If you don’t already love the Orcas Farmer’s Market, Jennifer Pietsch’s genuine excitement for the vendors and their products will win you over.
“It’s colorful, people are friendly, it’s bustling, lively, it’s just all those things,” said Pietsch who has been market manager for two years. “When you go to town it’s a stopping point, it’s a draw to Eastsound and I like that.”
During October and through most of November, the market, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., is held at Oddfellows Hall, located on Haven Street just south of Main Street on the way to Madrona Point.
Now that the birds are chirpin’ and the bees are buzzin’ the market is stepping out into the sun on Saturdays from May 5 to September 5, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., in the Eastsound Village Green.
At this unique market you’ll find flower petal salads, heirloom tomatoes, squash blooms, grass-fed beef, handcrafted soaps and natural body care products, pottery, colorful hand tie-dyed clothing and unique glass art and sculptures.
And don’t let the cool winds of April make you worry about a lack of produce to choose from this weekend. Pietsch describes the tables as bursting with kale, pea sprouts, which she calls “addicting,” salad greens and plenty of starts for your garden.
“There is a selection of plants you can’t get elsewhere,” Pietsch said. “And the sellers choose varieties that are more successful here.”
The farmer’s market will have hot grilled oysters, falafel and freshly brewed chai and coffee. Other tables will also be full of items.
“The crafters have been working all winter so they are ready,” Pietsch said.
This year a new addition to the market is the “Cultivate and Harvest” series, which will feature a new expert and demonstration every week in May.
On May 5, Christina Orchid presents “Hale Kale,” and from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. she’ll show you how to cook this protein-rich vegetable three different ways.
On May 12, to complement the Cider and Mead Festival on the green, the market will feature Abigael Birrell, the chef from Doe Bay Resort, demonstrating how to cook with these beverages, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
“It’s great for people who love cider and mead, but don’t know what do with a whole bottle of it,” Pietsch said.
And when you’ve had your share of drink, you can visit the Funhouse-Commons booth for pot painting, complete with free starters, which make for a sweet Mother’s Day gift.
On May 19, new vendor Marta Nielson of Rainbow Chicken Ranch will give you all the info you need for starting your own poultry flock from , from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
On May 26, Sara and Nick Jones of Jones Family Farm on Lopez Island present “Clams, mussels and oysters, oh my,” 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. The Jones will demonstrates sustainable farming practices,and how to care for and how to eat shellfish.
“I just love to see people, visitors and residences, and residences interacting with each other. It can get dull in the winter here,” said Pietsch. “And everything you buy or see is made by Orcas and is grown by someone on Orcas.”
Of course some days may get rainy and windy, but even in bad weather people still turn out for their favorite local items.
“It’s a great place to spend an afternoon, grab a bite with friends,” Pietsch said. “I can’t imagine wanting to be any other place on a Saturday.”
This year there are ten new vendors and several of the long-time merchants are expanding their stalls.
For more information, visit www.orcasislandfarmersmarket.org.
