Music and Cats

Last year, it was a gleam in the eyes of several Queen Anne neighbors; on Thursday afternoon, the Queen Anne Farmers’ Market opened for the very first time.

I love farmers’ markets. I love the picked-this-morning freshness of the produce, and the intense flavors of the eggs, meats and cheeses. I love meeting the farmers and ranchers who grow the food I eat. I love supporting local agriculture, rather than sending my food dollars to a far-off, faceless corporation. I love the theatricality of a market — the riot of colors, aromas and people, the children and the performers and even the dogs. Socially, politically, aesthetically, gastronomically — I love the entire farmers’ market scene. So when a neighbor mentioned last October that a group was trying to start a market in our neighborhood, I was thrilled. How could I not get involved?

A couple of weeks later, I attended my first meeting of the group that became the Queen Anne Farmers’ Market Association. This group has done tremendous fund-raising and grant-writing, site selection and community outreach. I’ve had only a little time this spring to work on the market, but I’ve had the pleasure of watching a small group of dedicated people working to change their corner of the world. On Thursday, all that hard work finally bore fruit.

Seven blocks from our home, this is the farmers’ market for which I’ve been waiting — one to which I can walk. And, judging from Thursday’s opening day turnout, many of our neighbors have been waiting for this market, too. From opening to closing, the market was filled with people strolling, chatting with friends and farmers, and shopping.

I wandered among the stalls with Paul and our friend Shauna, sampling freshly-smoked salmon and candy-like apricots, buying cherries and asparagus, and taking photos. When they left, I joined other Farmers’ Market Association folks filling helium balloons for the children at the market. I don’t remember how many yellow ribbons I looped around small, outstretched wrists, but each upturned little face was a delight.

Near closing time, I walked through the market, talking with some of the farmers. Several had sold everything that they’d brought; many had done better than they’d expected for the first day of a market. Most were quite happy, and excited about returning next week. They thanked me for helping to bring the market to Queen Anne; I thanked them for taking a chance on a new market.

All through the afternoon and evening, I couldn’t stop smiling.

Yesterday morning, my cheeks were sore from all that smiling. I love farmers’ markets, especially the one in my neighborhood, just down the street.

If you’re in Seattle, you can find the Queen Anne Farmers’ Market every Thursday afternoon until October 4, 3 - 7 p.m., at the corner of Crockett Street and 1st Avenue West. Look for the multicolored flags and lots of smiling faces.

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