Wednesday farmers markets return after pandemic pause

By Mallory Kruml
Posted 6/11/25

A long-standing summer tradition is making its much-anticipated return to Port Townsend.

After a five-year pandemic-prompted hiatus, with staff refocusing their efforts on a work-intensive …

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Wednesday farmers markets return after pandemic pause

Posted

A long-standing summer tradition is making its much-anticipated return to Port Townsend.

After a five-year pandemic-prompted hiatus, with staff refocusing their efforts on a work-intensive online ordering system, Jefferson County Farmers Markets has revived the midweek market on Tyler Street, providing farmers and food producers with an opportunity to connect with the community and sell their goods at peak freshness. 

“Food isn’t just ready one day a week,” said Amanda Milholland, the executive director of Jefferson County Farmers Markets. “Having a middle-of-the-week and end-of-the-week market really allows farmers to harvest when food is at its peak and beautiful, and to get it to people super fresh.” 

The midweek market kicked off its season on June 4

Before the pandemic, the market had been a summer staple in Port Townsend since 2003. 

The market will return each Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. throughout the summer, featuring farmers and food vendors. 

Milholland said the Wednesday markets are strictly food and farm-focused, with products ranging from fresh produce to prepared meals and flowers. Arts and crafts vendors will continue to make appearances on Saturdays.

With the temporary road closure supported by surrounding businesses, 17 vendors and 500 shoppers attended the first market. While a solid start, Milholland would like to see both numbers increase; she also encourages marketgoers to support the businesses in Uptown. 

“We’ll be building up to closer to 20 vendors as the season continues,” she said. “We’d love to see that shopper count from the first market continue to grow throughout the season, so we can make sure that our vendors can keep coming back and keep prioritizing being at the market.”  

Benefits for environmentally friendly market shopping are evident on both sides of a transaction and for the environment as a whole, Milholland said, with many vendors relying on markets as their primary source of income and shoppers enjoying the opportunity to shop in a community setting.  

“When we show up at the market, we are doing so partially for the food, and that’s an important part,” she said. “But, we are also doing so because it’s a place where we can connect with people. It’s a place where people get to know their neighbors and make friends with the people that produce their foods.” 

The farmers markets offer a variety of food assistance programs for shoppers, ensuring access to affordable food for all. More information can be found on their website.