Holly Hansen (left) is market manager for the Farmers' Market at Battle Ground Village and Ann Foster is behind its inception. Last week they toured Battle Ground, pinning up posters for the market where they could.
Northwood Public House and Brewery and the Farmers’ Market at Battle Ground Village are partnering for a specialty growler. Northwood patrons can get $2 off a fill if they use the growlers while the market is in progress.
This Thursday afternoon the Farmers’ Market at Battle Ground Village kicks off.
The market is organized by the same volunteers behind Salmon Creek Farmers’ Market, which has been in operation since 2010 and in recent years has been held at the front and inside the doorway at the Legacy Salmon Creek Hospital.
Ann Foster, the lead organizer for both markets, said she made note on several occasions while running the Salmon Creek location that Battle Ground is a hotbed of small, farm-type businesses that although flanked by markets in Salmon Creek and Ridgefield, lacked a hyperlocal venue to market their work.
“It’s taking some of those small businesses that aren’t big enough to get into the Portland market and giving them opportunities,” she said.
Foster later elaborated, noting that aside from profitability, the success of the new market will be based on how much exposure they can bring the vendors.
“If we get good feedback from the vendors and see more vendors wanting to participate next year, then I consider that a success,” she said.
The market will follow rules outlined by the Washington State Farmers’ Market Association, meaning that will only feature Washington state vendors. They will pay special attention to the local region.
“We make every effort to prioritize a local farmer,” she said. “I don’t care how big they are.”
Being that it is operated by the Salmon Creek Farmers’ Market, there is already a diverse payment structure in place allowing for immediate use of alternative payments, including, among others, credit and debit and Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program checks for WIC and Seniors.
Vendor list
• Silagy Sauce ( hot sauces made from locally sourced ingredients)
• Bakerchic’s Artisan Breads (small batches made from organic and locally-grown grains)
• Jacki’s Heirloom Garden (perennials, produce starts, produce)
• Becca Horne ( shirt and towel designs)
• Charter Oak Farm (perennials, annuals, produce)
• Chelatchie Creek Gourmet Dog Treats
• Coyote Ridge Ranch (produce)
• Desertfoxx (custom jewelry and unique gifts)
• Ewesfluffy Fiber (local wool products made from Romney sheep)
• House of the Rising Buns (artisan bakery with diverse products)
• Inksensations (pen and ink drawings)
• Landslide Farm (diverse produce, eggs)
• Mason Farm (diverse produce)
• Merely Musings (greeting cards and prints
• More Bees Soap (locally produced soaps made from beeswax and honey)
• Munoz Farms (seasonal berries)
• Nature’s Authority (all natural arnica products)
• Pacific Pops (iced popsicles handcrafted from locally-sourced ingredients)
• Pampurred Pet Care (cat sitting in Battle Ground, kitty toys)
• Popcorn Cove (75 flavors of specialty popcorn)
• Sassy Creek Nursery (choice perennials and garden troughs)
• Silver Star Dairy (goats milk soaps)
• Sithean Acres (raw honey, spun honey and beeswax candles)
• Tangled Gardens (organically grown flowers)
• Tea Hunter Company (tea blending company and organic, fair trade coffee)
• Bookworm Coffee Roasters (small batch artisan coffee roaster)
Vendor lineup may change from week to week.
So not to take business away from the restaurants in the village, Foster said the market will not include prepared-food vendors at this time.
Other Happenings
The market will feature live music and face painting.
There will be a program called “Produce Pals Club” where youths ages 5 to 15 can get a $2 token each time they visit to buy a healthy snack from a vendor.
“BizKidz” will be set up July 12, August 2, August 23 and August 30 to provide a space for children ages three to 15 to sell merchandise they’ve made or food they grown or baked.
Adjacent watering hole, Northwood Public House and Brewery, has partnered with the market to sell growlers with their logo on them. Patrons can get $2 off a fill if they use the growlers while the market is in progress.
Becoming a vendor
Interested parties can log onto managemymarket.com (search Farmers’ Market at Battle Ground Village) or can stop by the information booth at the market to apply.
Questions and further information: 360-600-0100 or email info@salmoncreekFarmers’market.com.
