Thursday, May 2, 2024
4:00PM - 7:00PM
Evergreen Rotary Park, 1400 Park Ave, Bremerton WA
Opening Day Celebration
Join us for the opening day! Mayor Greg Wheeler will be cutting the red ribbon to officially inaugurate the market season. We'll express our gratitude to Jeff Elevato and the staff from Bremerton's Parks & Recreation for providing such a splendid venue for our market and introduce the new Bremerton Community Farmers Market Board Members. Enjoy the music by an upbeat band guaranteed to make you tap your feet and dance along. Don't miss the Kid's Market Buck Club, where children participate in activities and earn Market Bucks to spend on farm goods or with produce resellers. With a forecasted high of 66 degrees and sunny, the weather promises to be wonderful, so come out and savor the farmers market!
Vendors This Week:
Farmers
Fuentes Fresh Farm
Taylor's Honey Farm Download Vendor Map Here
Produce Resellers
Artisans/Crafters
Pet Specialty
Prepared & Processed Food
Wine
Community Booths
Music at the Market
Performing on Opening Day is b.e.n.d.! Brandon, Em, Nance, and Dan make up b.e.n.d., a band proud of their musicianship and ability to create a unique atmosphere. They are seasoned performers, with several members hailing from the Tacoma band, Guilded Lilly. They play originals and covers with a distinctive style, blending magic with a mix of blues, punk, rock, and a whole lot of soul to delight music enthusiasts. b.e.n.d. doesn't just play music; they transcend genres and boundaries to deliver a singular musical experience. b.e.n.d. is more than just a band; it's an experience.
Kudos to Bremerton Office Machine Company for once again sponsoring Music at the Market in 2024! Show your appreciation by visiting their store at 245 4th Street, Suite 503, Downtown Bremerton. Who knows, a typewriter might just be your next purchase!
Kid's Market Bucks Club
The forecast for opening day promises a sunny 66 degrees—perfect for people, but a tad chilly for bees. To keep the queen bee and her colony warm, the West Sound Beekeepers Association has decided to keep them snug at home until Thursday, July 11th, when they will make their much-anticipated debut. It's a bummer not to see the bees just yet, but we've set up a garden table activity instead! Kids aged 3-12 are invited to plant seeds that they can take home, nurture, and eventually add to their own gardens. Plus, they will also receive Market Bucks to purchase fresh produce directly from our local farmers or produce reseller. Make sure to join the excitement at the Kids Booth—we can't wait to see you there!
Eat Dinner at the Market!
Transform your trip to the farmers market into a memorable event by enjoying dinner at the park. Explore the offerings from our vendors who sell a variety of delicious foods. Whether you're in the mood for a snack or a full meal, you'll find an option to satisfy any appetite!
Market Tokens Are Money!
Did you purchase market tokens last year and have not used them? You might be sitting on a treasure without even realizing it! Many market tokens are out there in our community, unused and overlooked. Don't let this opportunity slip by... take a look in your glove compartment, your junk drawer, or the depths of your purse. Remember, tokens don't accrue interest or appreciate in value by being stored away, so unearth them and take them to the market. Consider what you could purchase if you discover some in your home.
Parking at the Market
We kindly ask you to be considerate neighbors by parking only in designated areas. Kitsap Community Resources has graciously made their parking lot available after 4:30 PM, located just one block away. Note that the boating area has only five designated parking spots. Vehicles parked outside these areas may be ticketed. We appreciate your cooperation!
The WIC & Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program is Arriving Soon!
The Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) provides nutritional aid to seniors 60 years and older who fulfill the income eligibility criteria. This funding will be provided via an electronic benefits card that is accepted at participating farmers markets. For 2024, there's good news: eligible seniors may receive up to $80 to spend on vegetables, fruits, and honey! Remember, the program is available on a first-come, first-served basis and will run until all the funding is distributed. Applications must be mailed in and will be available soon at the Market Info Booth.
The WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) offers benefits to both WIC participants and farmers. Each WIC participant receives $30 ($90 maximum per family) to buy approved fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs from authorized farmers at farmers markets and farm stands. Inquire about this program at your local Women, Infants, and Children office. Eligible WIC participants receive FMNP benefits on an electronic benefits card, alongside their standard WIC benefits.
WIC Cash Value Benefits (CVB)
Participants in the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program are able to utilize their Cash Value Benefits (CVBs) at farmers markets throughout the year to buy fresh, locally sourced fruits and vegetables. These funds are pre-loaded onto an electronic benefits card, ready for use at participating farm booths. The direct engagement between WIC recipients and local farmers not only provides access to nutritious food but also builds community ties and a connection to the origin of their food. By spending WIC CVBs at farmers markets, participants support themselves and their families with healthy choices, bolster local farming, and encourage community-wide healthy eating practices.
SNAP Market Match
How to use SNAP Market Match at the market:
Come to our Information Booth and tell us you’d like to SNAP Market Match.
Swipe your EBT card for the amount you want to spend.
SNAP Market Match will match up to $25/day/card.*
*The new SUN Bucks cards are also eligible for SNAP Market Match.
You can use your SNAP Market Match bucks on all of the following items:
Fresh vegetables
Fresh fruits
Mushrooms
Fresh herbs
Seeds and plants that produce food (for example, tomato seeds or tomato plants)
All of our farm vendors and produce resellers accept SNAP Market Match for qualifying items!
Become a VOLUNTEER!
Contribute to making the Market even more incredible! Share your talents—both intellectual and physical —and enjoy a fulfilling experience. To apply, please visit our website: Help Us Grow | Bremerton Community Farmers Market | Bremerton
Kitsap Harvest Grow-A-Row
Kitsap Harvest is once again gathering produce, with the aid of volunteers, to distribute throughout Kitsap County to those facing hunger and food insecurity. This community-driven organization is addressing hunger and reducing food waste by harvesting fruit trees and accepting produce donations from individual gardeners and community plots. The collected food is then delivered to various local organizations, including senior centers, recovery centers, and services for homeless youth and veterans.
If you wish to contribute produce, you can find a donation station at the Bremerton Community Farmers Market and other locations across the county. To keep informed about Kitsap Harvest activities, sign up for their newsletter. For any inquiries, please contact info@kitsapharvest.org.
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