Mattawa farmers market opens in June

MATTAWA — As summer approaches, local farmers are busily growing fruit and vegetables to sell at farmers markets.

This year, Mattawa will be holding a farmers market every Wednesday from 3 to 7 p.m. at Hund Memorial Park, 101 Government Road, in Mattawa. The season will run June 12 through Sept. 25.

Last year was Mattawa’s first year holding a farmers market.

“We did a four-week pilot last year,” said Diane Hyndman, organizer. “Our sponsors were pleased and said we should do a full year.”

Last year, the Columbia Basin Health Association and Columbia Bank sponsored Mattawa’s farmers market. The Lions Club has joined as a sponsor this year.

The Mattawa farmers market consists mainly of fruits and vegetables.

“We have just about everything,” Hyndman said. “There are the usuals – tomatoes, lettuce and cucumbers. Towards fall, we had pumpkins and melons. There is a grower, local to Mattawa, that has produce used a lot in Mexican food. Last year, we had a wide assortment of fruit and vegetables.”

Hyndman is expecting the same variety this year. One local beekeeper will be bringing honey to the market. Other vendors will include K&C Farms of Mattawa and Bautista Farms of Wapato. Non-profit and local community groups that are outreach-focused or fundraising will also be present. In addition, there will be a few craft booths.

Kids’ Day will be held at the market on June 26.

“There will be kids’ activities,” said Hyndman. “Local clubs will come and show what they’re doing. There will be fundraising tables that day too.”

The Mattawa farmers market also accepts WIC checks and EBT SNAP.

“The WIC program has been pushing for this for years,” Hyndman said. “There is nowhere to use WIC. WIC contributes dollars to a family’s well-being. Once something like this (farmers market) gets started, it brings in all sectors of the community. Desert Aire comes as well.”