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Farmers markets keep growing
Demand outpaces available space

By DEBERA CARLTON HARRELL
P-I REPORTER

Neighborhood farmers markets throughout the Puget Sound area expect higher numbers than ever this year amid growing popularity and support of locally produced food, market managers say.

"The increases in the number of people coming to farmers markets is just phenomenal," said Judy Kirkhuff, market master for Seattle Neighborhood Farmers Markets, a nonprofit group that oversees four markets. "I'm awestruck most of the time."

The Ballard Farmers Market, for example, drew 5,600 people on a recent sunny Sunday, compared with 3,000 at the same time last year, Kirkhuff said.

The popularity of farmers markets has prompted support from government, businesses and developers, neighborhood organizations and schools, managers say. Whereas Seattle started with just a few markets a decade ago, it now has 13 including Pike Place Market, and there's more neighborhood demand than markets can absorb.

"There is not a neighborhood in the city that would not want its own farmers market," said Sally Clark, chairwoman of the City Council's Planning, Land Use and Neighborhoods Committee.

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