There is a particular kind of Saturday morning energy that only happens in April, when the farmers market returns after a winter away and the city collectively remembers that fresh food can taste like something.
The Port Laken Farmers Market reopened at Harbor Plaza on April 5 under clear skies and a brisk harbor breeze. By 9:30 a.m., the strawberry booth run by the Castillo family farm from Sequim had sold through its first two flats.
THE VENDOR LINEUP
This year's market features 38 vendors, up from 32 last season. Additions include three new farm vendors from the Dungeness Valley, a Port Angeles-based mushroom forager offering six varieties, and Laken Honey Co., a first-year vendor whose raw varietal honeys generated what market director Celia Park described as "the kind of interest that makes you realize you should have given them a bigger booth."
All vendors are required to source or produce within 150 miles of Port Laken. The market's sourcing committee verifies compliance annually.
THE NEW PREPARED FOOD COURTYARD
This season introduces a dedicated prepared food courtyard on the north end of Harbor Plaza: eight vendors selling ready-to-eat food organized around communal picnic tables under a new permanent shade structure.
Opening day vendors included Canela's market booth, Harbor Catch's clam chowder bread bowls, Pho Linh (which drew a 20-minute line by 11 a.m.), and Olive & Fig with falafel wraps and fattoush.
WHAT'S COMING THIS SEASON
The market runs every Saturday through October 31, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Harbor Plaza. The market's SNAP/EBT matching program, through which qualifying purchases up to $20 are matched dollar-for-dollar, continues this season, generating $34,000 in additional purchasing power for participating families last year.
Full vendor list and weekly updates at portlakenfarmersmarket.org.