HomeMy WebLinkAboutProclamation re Farmer Market week Regular Agenda
JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA REQUEST
TO: Board of County Commissioners
FROM: Adiel McKnight,Executive Assistant
DATE: August 7,2023
SUBJECT: PROCLAMATION re: Proclaiming August 6-12, 2023 as National Farmers
Market Week
STATEMENT OF ISSUE:
Jefferson County Farmers Market has two vibrant markets in Jefferson County, Washington. The
Port Townsend Farmers Market operates Saturdays from April to mid-December at the 600 Block
of Tyler Street, and the Chimacum Farmers Market operates Sundays, June through October, at
the Chimacum Corner Farm Stand.
Between the two markets, there are more than 100 vendors offering products like fresh produce,
pasture-raised meat, eggs, fish, artisan prepared food and arts and crafts.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact.
RECOMMENDATION:
We recommend the Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners support local farmers
markets by proclaiming the week of August 6-12, 2023 as National Farmers Market Week.
REVIEWED BY:
ark McCauley, my Administrator Date
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, National Farmers Market Week is an annual celebration of farmers markets
coordinated by the Farmers Market Coalition, a membership-based nonprofit organization that
supports farmers markets nationwide through training, technical assistance, and network-building; and
WHEREAS, farmers markets foster direct relationships between community members and
farmers, which can work to create a more fair and sustainable food system. Farmers markets are a hub
for connection and collective action around shared values; and
WHEREAS, the Jefferson County Farmers Market(JCFM)joins markets across the country in
celebrating National Farmers Market Week; and
WHEREAS, the Port Townsend Farmers Market (PTFM) began in 1992 and celebrates its 3Is'
season this year. The Chimacum Farmers Market (CFM) was founded in 2008 by the Chimacum
Grange and was adopted in 2010 by JCFM, the small nonprofit organization that hosts both Jefferson
County farmers markets. Together, JCFM hosts over 100 farm, artisan food, arts, and nonprofit
vendors between its two markets.
WHEREAS, vendors offer a diversity of products from seasonal fruits and veggies to pasture-
raised meat, bread, bakery items, hard cider, wine, goat cheese,prepared food, as well as a wide
variety of arts. Jefferson County Farmers Markets are unique in that they feature truly local food and
arts arriving to market from producers located no more than 30 miles away. Most JCFM vendors are
from Jefferson County with a handful of vendors from Clallam County; and
WHEREAS, local food production leads to greater resilience in food security and a reduction
of the carbon footprint for our food supply. Farmers Markets are abundant sources of food, connection,
and artistry in communities across the country; and
WHEREAS, Jefferson County, Washington strives to ensure all of our residents have access to
healthy, local food regardless of income;
NOW, THEREFORE, the Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners Proclaim August
6-12, 2023;
NATIONAL FARMERS MARKET WEEK
BE IT FURTHER PROCLAIMED, that the Board of Commissioners encourage all residents
and visitors alike to join them in celebrating National Farmers Market Week.
PROCLAIMED this 7 h day of August, 2023.
JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
SEAL:
Greg Brotherton, Chair
ATTEST: Kate Dean, Member
Carolyn Gallaway, CMC Clerk of the Board Heidi Eisenhour, Member