Apr. 24, 2008 at 10:35am

Tacoma Farmers Market needs street musicians and volunteers

I'm not a farmer, but I play one on the internet

COMMUNITY MEETING FOR 6th Ave MARKET NEXT MONDAY ...

I'm not a farmer, but I play one on the internet. You would have to look long and hard to find someone less knowledgeable about gardening and farming than me. Somehow though, I’ve gotten dragged (willingly) into a couple of projects that involve those skills. Fortunately, my role has more to do with data management and writing about what other people know than anything I personally know.

So, I’m here today to pump up the Tacoma Farmers Market and the fledgling Tacoma Food Co-op.

First, the Tacoma Farmers Market. By the middle of this season, there will be three markets being run under the banner of the Federation of Tacoma Farmers Markets. This Saturday, April 26^th, the Proctor Market has its opening day. From 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, some of the best local farmers are going to start bringing their freshest, tastiest produce to N. 27^th (between Proctor and Madison) for your shopping and eating pleasure. There will be live music and the chance to join others in welcoming our late-arriving spring.

On Thursday, May 15^th, the Broadway Market will open. There’s still lots to do. If you’d like to volunteer a bit of your time and energy to help get The Market running and keep it running, drop a note to laura@tacomafarmersmarket.com. There’s also a place to sign up for our newsletter and volunteer opportunities at our web site.

The Broadway Market is looking for street musicians. There is an actual performance stage, which has been booked for the season. What we’re looking for now are musicians who would be willing to set up in a more casual setting, busking on a street corner, like minstrels, for atmosphere and ambiance (and yes, for tips). If you would enjoy making some noise on our downtown streets and getting some public exposure, contact me at don@tacomafarmersmarket.com. Poets and dancers are also welcome.

You’ve probably heard that 6^th Avenue is going to start a farmers market in July. It will be a late afternoon/early evening market, scheduled for Tuesdays on N. Pine between 6^th Ave and N. 7^th. This coming Monday, April 28^th, there will be a community meeting for anyone wishing to know more and/or to help out. The meeting will be from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at Epworth LeSourd Methodist Church, 710 S. Anderson.

There’s been a lot of talk lately about localism, supporting local businesses and buying locally-made products. The Tacoma Farmers Market is proud to be a big part of that movement, helping to bring people, commerce, music, and fun to the streets of Tacoma. Come help us if you can and come to the Market when it opens.

Another piece of that local puzzle is the Tacoma Food Co-op. A dedicated group of volunteers is working hard to bring a Co-op grocery store back to Tacoma. If you would like to know more about the progress of this project and receive periodic email updates, please send your name and email address to tacomafoodcoop@gmail.com. The Co-op also has a blog site here, where you can find updates about our progress, as well as an ongoing conversation about co-ops in general, and this one in particular. This is a big and exciting project, with room for good ideas and a variety of skills. Jump on in!