Every year the farmer's market springs up from the snow and mud and breaths life into the community with young plants, flowers and a promise for another year of agricultural prosperity.

My personal heartfelt gratitude goes out to all the family farmers, who rise early and bed late, taking significant financial risks to provide quality food to their communities. I salute them, every day, for their commitment to the land and all its creatures, big and small.

Shopping at your local farmer's market is a positive step in taking charge of your food choices.  It will have an impact on your personal health and the economical health of your community as well as that of the local farmer you support.  So get up and get out to your local farmer's market.  You'll be glad you did.

REMEMBERING

MARKET 2007

WELCOME TO THE MARKET
 

The Farmer's Market is the place to buy from the grower, find one of a kind arts and crafts, listen to local  music and meet with friends, under the shaded canopy of tall native pines.  Come share a cup of coffee and wander the food court, find that unique perennial, and take home a beautiful hanging basket.  There is much to be enjoyed at your local Farmers' Market.  Chat with the farmer who grows the plants and produce, have your questions answered and feel good about supporting your local community.  

This will be the twentieth season for the Kootenai County Farmers' Market.  Watch for news about plans for our Twentieth Anniversary Celebration this year.  Yet another event to watch for is our third annual "Feast with the Farmers" in August.  And of course there will be a return of all the other special events we plan for throughout the market season, every year.  Check out the Calendar for information on these events.

New to the website this year will be pages and links that will help you get up close and personal with some of your favorite producers and vendors.  The membership directory is where you will find the special links to these pages and sites.

Follow the History link for more in depth coverage of the beginnings of the Kootenai County Farmers' Market in 1986 through our current Market.  

Go to the Photo Gallery for pictures from "Then & Now".  

Sure to grow in size will be The Feast page.  This page will chronicle an event which is sure to become a favorite amongst our loyal customers.  Find someone who attended this feast  last year and you'll be left anxious to be the next lucky recipient of an invitation to attend this year.  Watch for information on how to improve your chances of just such an invitation.  It's only going to get better! 

To find out just what's available on any given market day follow the Fresh From the Farmer link.  And to answer your question on "just what do I do with this", we have our Recipes page.  If you just happen to have a good suggestion in this regard, please feel free to send it in to manager@kootenaicountyfarmersmarket.com.  Please be sure to include your name and contact information and we'll make sure the recipe finds a spot on the Recipes page.

If you are interested in participating in the market as a member or a day vendor, with produce, arts or crafts the Vendor Info link is the place for you.  Here you will find fees, rules and regulations, and the artistic review schedule.  

In addition to vendor spaces we provide spaces for community fund raisers, bake sales, and our younger entrepreneurs as well, at reduced rates.  We also have special dates where we invite all you "backyard gardeners" to come out and sell your extra bounty.  If this is something that interests you contact the Market Manager at manager@kootenaicountyfarmersmarket.com or call (208)772-2290. Come get a feel for what it's like to be a Market Vendor. 

If you've been to Market and talked to many of the vendors, you know that Market is about more than just a wonderful summer of plants, fresh produce, garden related crafts, delicious baked goods, fine jewelry, and great music!  We are about the treasure of family and friends, enjoying life, and the environment.  We are about buying local, slow food; and organic, environmentally friendly practices in producing our food and disposing of our waste.  To that end we offer the Resources page.  Here you will find an ever growing offering of information that will help you find answers to questions about how to grow and buy organically, enjoy your food and environment more fully, and handle your waste in a way your children will thank you for in the future.

Thank you for visiting us on the Web.  We hope to "See You At Market"!