||| FROM KRISTEN FAY for ORCAS FARMERS MARKET |||
The Orcas Island Farmers Market (OIFM) begins this Saturday, May 4th! Visit us on the Village Green in Eastsound from 10am-2pm, every Saturday through September.
Come explore this vibrant island hub–stock up on farm grown produce and plant starts, enjoy delicious food, find inspiration in local art, groove to live music, and educate yourself about supportive island programs and services!
Don’t miss our rockin’ Music in the Market Line up, with local music every Saturday! We will be kicking off our music series on May 4th with the Clint McCune and Rebecca Cohen. Come knock boots with your neighbors!
OIFM has worked diligently to provide food access programs to our community. At the market we accept EBT, Snap Market Match, WIC, and FNMP.
Interested in vending at the market?
Are you a local artisan, chef, or farmer? Do you have a special service to share with the community? Do you know of a creative young person (age 13 or under) interested in sharing their artwork?
For more details and to apply visit: orcasislandfarmersmarket.
Questions? Reach out to Kristen at orcasislandfarmersmarket@gmail.com
Mark your calendars! The Give Orcas Campaign begins on May 8th and extends through May 17th.
OIFM seeks assistance from the community to cover rent owed to San Juan County for use of the Village Green in summer 2024. Help the market continue as a viable financial platform for local businesses, a hub for local food access, and an expression of our unique Orcas community. Visit www.giveorcas.com to donate (May 8th-May 17th).
The objective of OIFM is to provide an accessible marketplace where Orcas artisans, crafters, food makers, and farmers can sell their products and creations to friends, neighbors, and island visitors in a safe, educational, and vibrant environment. Our mission and practice is to support the local economy, encourage sustainability, and aid in local food production, supply, and access—to enhance the economic strength and viability of San Juan County as a whole. Help us remain a spirited, fun, and necessary part of our community after 38+ years!
Costs associated with running the market continue to increase (i.e. rent, supplies, insurance, garbage fees, etc). San Juan County annually increases our rent for the use of the Eastsound Village Green public space. In an increasingly difficult economic environment we struggle to keep the cost of participation for our small local businesses affordable.
Did you know that the Orcas Island Farmers Market pays more to rent event space, with access to less amenities such as electricity and running water, than any other farmers market that we polled in Washington State. In 2023, the total rent due to San Juan County for the Orcas Island Farmers Market was $7,594.62 for 22 Saturdays—we expect to see this rate continue to increase. We have exhausted our attempts to negotiate with San Juan County Parks for a reduced rental rate, and a previous grant award with Washington Festivals and Events Association was unexpectedly rescinded. Communication attempts to appeal that decision have been met with no response.
Please help support our beloved market.
Any contribution is greatly appreciated, however BIG or small.
Donation window is May 8th-May 17th.
SCAN TO DONATE
(21K)
Give Orcas QR Code.pdf (pdf code attached to this email)
https://oicf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/list/grant
OR VISIT TO DONATE
For more information about the Orcas Island Farmers Market Visit: www.orcasislandfarmersmarket.com
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