Mattawa's farmers market pilot project takes off

MATTAWA — After Mattawa’s first farmers market, Wednesday, July 11, vendors and organizers see the start of the Wahluke Agricultural Market as a success and are optimistic that the pilot project is ready to take off. Another market is scheduled for Wednesday, July 25 and every Wednesday through Aug. 1.

Hund Memorial Park was bustling with vendors ranging from fruit stands to craftsmen, and buyers filled bags with fresh, healthy foods.

This is why the farmers market was supported by the Columbia Basin Health Association Women Infants and Children clinic, which wanted to encourage healthy eating and access to fresh fruits and vegetables for developing children.

“The goal was to get fresh food to a community that is kind of landlocked, because a lot of people don’t have access to transportation out of the area. They’re limited in their supply, and so this was thought of as a way to bring fresh produce into the area,” said Diane Hyndman, market coordinator.

Market time will be from 3-7 p.m.

Vendors Norm and Diane Perreault were happily surprised at the success of the totally new farmers market and were hoping to make it a regular part of their market circuit.

“It’s a great little market,” said Diane, “We had some really busy points in the day.”

The Perreaults craft soap from the waters of Soap Lake, which are purported to have healing qualities. Other craftsmen included a woodcarver and an herb merchant.

While a good number of volunteers have signed up for the remaining market days, there is still room for more vendors to sign up.

“We have lots of room in the park,” said Hyndman.

For more information or for questions on vendor applications, email wahlukefarmersmarket@gmail.com or visit their Facebook page at Wahluke Farmers Market.