Farmers Market opens June 20

ARLINGTON — Patricia and Mark Lovejoy are launching their third year as coordinators of the Arlington Farmers Market, offering fresh organic produce grown in the Stillaguamish Valley, and other items.

“One of the main missions of Garden Treasures is to promote and revitalize the agricultural businesses here in the Stillaguamish River Valley,” said Mark Lovejoy.

The Lovejoys got a bit of a bonus this year when they were approved by the state of Washington to accept WIC and senior farmers market coupons. WIC is a federal grant program for which Congress authorizes a specific amount of funds each year to help provide nutritious foods to women, infants and children.

“We had to offer all the basic food groups, so we are now offering eggs and some canned tuna and meats,” Patricia Lovejoy said.

“We are doing the farmers market to help local farmers, large and small, find a market for the products they are producing,” Mark Lovejoy said.

Along with many types of heirloom vegetables from Garden Treasures, the farmers market will also have fresh eggs and pre-ordered sustainably raised meat products from Highland Farms, flowers grown in the Snohomish valley, soaps and lotions from Urban Farm Soaps and Lotions, an Arlington business owned by Tamila Morgan, and home-roasted coffee by Carolyn Sumpter. Happy Israel will be selling her hand-made hats and scarfs, and the Lovejoys will also sell organic fruits from the Smallwood farms in the Okanogan valley.

“We sell bulk for the people who want to do canning,” Mark Lovejoy said.

“We have changed a lot since our first year selling out of our truck in Dan Grewe’s yard on Highway 9,” Mark Lovejoy said.

Last year the farmers market moved to the city parking lot next to Legion Park along the Centennial Trail in the heart of downtown Arlington.

“The location is beautiful with plenty of free parking,” Mark Lovejoy said.

“With the continued community support and a diverse vendor group, our market can provide all the things a community can expect from their local market,” he said.

Arlington Farmers Markets is authorized to accept WIC and senior farmers market coupons, allowing low income people to get fresh farm produce grown locally. Low income residents are encouraged to ask their local WIC office for more details about getting coupons.

The market season will start with cucumbers, zucchini, strawberries and head lettuce and cherries from Okanogan.

Garden Treasures also offers a veggie subscription package in a CSA, or Community Supported Agriculture. You pay up front and get fresh produce weekly throughout the growing season.

Garden Treasures is also joining the Biringer’s in some extra fun at the farm June 27 and 28, and is part of the Red Rooster Farm Tour.

For information about CSAs, the market, and Garden Treasures, call the Lovejoys at 360-435-9272 or e-mail arlingtonfarmersmarket@gmail.com.