As the spring season settles over the region, the farmers markets in both Centralia and Chehalis will again provide locally grown produce and other products.
Those who frequent the farmers markets in the Twin Cities will notice a few changes.
Centralia Farmers Market
The Centralia Farmers Market kicked off Friday, May 3, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Centralia Farmers Market has moved from Pine Street Plaza in downtown Centralia to Ward Plaza at Centralia College in the center of the college’s campus between the TransAlta Commons, Washington Hall and the Walton Science Center.
This move was made for multiple reasons, Centralia Farmers Market Vice President Nicole Stenberg said.
The need for more parking and the installation of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations downtown sent the Centralia Farmers Market in search of a new location.
Stenberg said many downtown businesses have been complaining about the lack of parking over the past few years, especially on farmers market days.
“We wanted to be an ally of the downtown businesses,” Stenberg said.
Several other locations were considered, but Centralia College was selected due to the abundance of parking in and around the campus along with the college’s expansive grounds, which allows for more vendors.
Additionally, excessive train noise was a bother to farmers market customers and vendors, so many are happy to be away from the train tracks downtown, Stenberg said.
With Mother’s Day approaching on Sunday, May 12, flowers will be featured at the May 10 market.
This year will also see the beginning of custom Centralia Farmers Market tote bags for shoppers, which will be available to purchase for $10 with proceeds going toward the market’s kids programs, clubs and advertising.
Stenberg added the market will not be held on Friday, June 21, as Centralia College will hold its commencement ceremony that day; and Friday, July 12, as Centralia College will host thousands of cyclists throughout the weekend during the annual Seattle to Portland Classic bike ride.
Aside from those dates, the Centralia Farmers Market will be open at Centralia College every Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. through the end of September.
For more information, visit https://www.centraliafarmersmarket.org/, or follow the Centralia Farmer’s Market on Facebook and Instagram.
Community Farmers Market of Chehalis
While weekly farmers markets don’t start in Chehalis until next month, the Community Farmers Market of Chehalis is kicking off with a market preview and plant sale on Tuesday, May 7, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Northeast Boistfort Street in downtown Chehalis.
The first official farmers market in Chehalis this season will be Tuesday, June 4. The markets will be held in downtown Chehalis every Tuesday until the end of October from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
But that’s not all this year, as Experience Chehalis Executive Director Annalee Tobey told The Chronicle that the Community Farmers Market of Chehalis is experimenting with a monthly Saturday farmers market, as well. The markets will be held the second Saturday of the month.
“A lot of people have wondered, ‘why Tuesday?’” Tobey said.
Many of the vendors who come to the Chehalis market also frequent other farmers markets, which typically fall on Saturdays.
“In order not to compete, they landed on Tuesday,” Tobey added.
Customers kept asking about a Saturday market, though, so eventually the Community Farmers Market of Chehalis organizers decided to pilot the second Saturday market.
The dates for the new Saturday markets this year will be June 8, July 13, Aug. 10, Sept. 14 and Oct. 12.
Additionally, the Community Farmers Market of Chehalis Kids Club, which is free, weekly and teaches kids ages 3 to 15 about things such as growing fruits and vegetables, will be returning.
For more information on the Kids Club as it becomes available, follow the Community Farmers Market of Chehalis on Facebook or Instagram.
To learn more about the Community Farmers Market of Chehalis, visit https://www.chehalisfarmersmarket.com/.
