Small Town News

Shelton farmers market: A cool place to shop

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MARKET WATCH

Fresh. Local. Unique. Three simple words that mean a great deal to us at the Shelton Farmers Market. They help us to be clear and confident about the vendors who participate, the products we offer, and the way we interact with our surrounding community. Fresh means produce harvested within a day of coming to market. Compare that with any grocery stores' produce section. Research shows that as much as 75 percent of the nutrients, especially vitamin C and vitamin D, are lost if vegetables are harvested more than three days prior to eating. Also, chances are high that store-bought produce was harvested before peak ripeness to ensure less damage during shipping. Peak ripeness means maximum nutritional content, which you can count on from our farmers market vendors.

Fresh also means hand-made pasta with fillings made right here in Shelton within just days of selling at the market, and herbs you can take home to plant in your own garden; soaps and body oils made just last week; and honey harvested from dozens of local hives. You'll have to make it, or grow it yourself to get it any fresher.

Our market rules limit participation to vendors from Mason County and its surrounding counties: Kitsap, Grays Harbor, Thurston and Jefferson. That means local — your friends, family and neighbors. Many of our vendors are involved in local businesses and community activities, in addition to our market work. We are part of the fabric of Shelton and Mason County.

Granted, "shop local is easy to say, but not always easy to do. The hard part about shopping locally is economics, specifically price. Can you go online or visit the big retailers and find lower prices? In many cases, sure.

But looking at price alone leaves out a large part of a much bigger story. Look instead at value. The health of our Mason County economy suffers when a large percentage of consumer dollars leave the area.

When you shop locally, those dollars hire more local employees, purchase more local goods and services, and help all of us prosper. There is more value in a local purchase and you can't get more local than the farmers market.

Where else can you go to find top-quality leather goods, custom-made planter boxes, fresh pasta and herbs, tie-dyed T-shirts, hand-painted signs and locally grown produce in one brightly colored, musical, family-friendly gathering?

The products we sell and the vendors who sell them are, in most cases, one-of-a-kind.

Looking for live chickens and turkeys? We have them. How about responsibly harvested, locally processed tuna, or custom designed and handcrafted jewelry? We have that, too. Spend some time getting acquainted with our vendors and our products, and you'll see just how unique your shopping experience can be.

The market runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays through the summer at Third and Franklin streets.

Jack Bartz is treasurer for the Shelton Farmers Market. He and his wife, Leslie, have been vendors at the farmers market for more than 15 years and are writing the column to help Mason County residents enjoy the bounty the market has to offer. He can be reached at 463-6497.

Our market rules limit participation to vendors from Mason County and its surrounding counties:

Kitsap, Grays Harbor, Thurston and Jefferson. That means local — your friends, family and neighbors.



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