Get to know the people behind your food. The earth-stained hands that sowed, tended and harvested the fresh, local produce, honey, bread and other food you're putting on your family's table are right here, every week, selling their carefully grown nutrients at farmers markets across the Inland Northwest. Meet six of those producers, including a few traditional small farms and an Old World-style bakery, who've recently signed on to sell at one or more local markets.
Woodard Family Farms, Spokane
Find them at: Kendall Yards Night Market, Fairwood and Liberty Lake farmers markets
Neil Woodard credits his dad for instilling in him a love of plants and gardening. When Woodard discovered permaculture practices and the urban gardening/micro-gardening movements, he decided it was time to take the leap. Along with his wife Alicia, the Woodards are now in their third year of farming about an acre of land just north of Spokane's Hillyard neighborhood. Woodard Family Farms specializes in unique salad mixes, as well as other traditional market produce: radishes, turnips, tomatoes, cucumbers, baby eggplant and summer squash, along with less common greens like sorrel and amaranth. This summer marks the family's second full year of production to sell their produce locally, and their first year as a vendor at the popular Kendall Yards Night Market. (CHEY SCOTT)
MaK Breads, Coeur d'Alene
Find them at: Kootenai County Farmers Market, Saturday and Wednesday
Matt and Krystle Toman are making the most of local ingredients with their new company MaK Breads. The couple use organic russets in their rustic potato bread, and both traditional white and "wild" sesame they discovered in South Korea, where the couple met while Matt taught English. "Every loaf is naturally leavened sourdough, slow fermented and baked in cast iron each morning of the market," say the couple, whose initials form their business name. (CARRIE SCOZZARO)
Willow Wood Honey Farm, Hayden
Find them at: Kootenai County Farmers Market, Saturday
The buzz about this business is in their dedication to the bees. Not only do owners Tracy O'Brien and Mike Mayer build and sell hive boxes, they turn the beeswax into hand butters and balms, as well as handcrafted baskets. In spring, when dandelions have lawn lovers worried about "weeds," the couple are out picking theirs to turn into infused oils. In July, it's all about the honey, honey. (C. SCOZZARO)
Spoonful of Sugar n'Spice International, Hayden
Find them at: Kootenai County Farmers Market, Saturday
While locals were glued to the telly during the recent British royal wedding, folks at Jacklin Arts & Cultural Center in Post Falls were digging into traditional Queen Victoria's scones and other treats by Spoonful of Sugar n'Spice International. That's the sweet side of Rachel and Ruben Gaona's business, which also offers gourmet marshmallows, tarts, biscotti, macarons and more. The savory side serves up tamales — pork, chicken or cheese — from an old family recipe. (C. SCOZZARO)
Red Beard's Garden, Nine Mile Falls
Find them at: Kendall Yards Night Market, Emerson-Garfield and Clayton farmers markets
Jamieson and Jessica Kaluza started out small three years ago, selling most of their home-grown produce through Facebook and to friends. Now, the couple are farming 4 acres in the Nine Mile Falls area, where they grow purple carrots, bell peppers and special salad greens, like their popular spicy mesclun mix. This year, the Kaluzas and their four young sons are tending to more than 2,000 tomato plants. Named by one of the boys for Jamieson's beard, Red Beard's Garden began as a project the stay-at-home dad introduced as a productive, nature-focused activity to enjoy with the kids. In addition to selling weekly at three markets — including their first year this summer at the Emerson-Garfield market — Red Beard's Garden offers a community-supported agriculture (CSA) subscription program. (C. SCOTT)
Coeur d'Alene Cider Company, Coeur d'Alene
Find them at: Kootenai County Farmers Market, Saturday
Cranberry, pomegranate, blackberry, lemon — sample this new (production began last summer) cider company's fruit-infused ciders and get your growler filled. Look for more information about Coeur d'Alene Cider in an upcoming edition of the Inlander. (C. SCOZZARO)
SHOP THE MARKETS
Cheney Farmers Market | This small parking lot market (1011 First St.) hosts a local produce tent six days a week, along with stands from other local growers and artisans. Tue-Sun from 10 am-6 pm through Sept. 15. Other vendors available Tue-Sat from 10 am-3 pm. bit.ly/2LkUHXW
Clayton Farmers Market | This rural market north of Spokane (4616 Wallbridge Rd.) is home to vendors of locally grown produce as well as makers of arts and crafts, and even small farm animals. Sundays from noon-4 pm through October. claytoncommunityfair.com
Emerson-Garfield Farmers Market | This neighborhood market in north central Spokane (2310 N. Monroe) hosts about two dozen vendors of locally produced and grown food, along with educational outreach booths, music and other events. Fridays from 3-7 pm through Sept. 28. market.emersongarfield.org
Fairwood Farmers Market | This market at the Fairwood Shopping Center (319 W. Hastings Rd.) was founded in 2014 to bring a weekly source of produce, food products and locally made crafts to the neighborhood. Tuesdays from 3-7 pm through Oct. 9. fairwoodfarmersmarket.org
Kendall Yards Night Market | The popular urban market along West Summit Parkway hosts vendors of fresh produce, meat and other goods, along with food trucks and weekly music performances. Wednesdays from 5-9 pm through late September. kendalllnightmarket.org
Kootenai County Farmers Market | With two weekly locations and more than 100 vendors, this North Idaho market has been operating since 1986. Saturdays from 9 am-1:30 pm (U.S. Highway 95 and Prairie, Hayden) and Wednesdays from 4-7 pm (Fifth Street and Sherman Avenue, Coeur d'Alene). kootenaifarmersmarkets.org
Liberty Lake Farmers Market | This neighborhood market in Town Square Park (1421 N. Meadowwood Ln.) hosts 40-50 vendors each week. Saturdays from 9 am-1 pm through Oct. 13. libertylakefarmersmarket.com
Moscow Farmers Market | This regional favorite has been operating since 1976, and hosts dozens of local farmers, artisans, musicians and craftspeople in the heart of Moscow (Main Street and Friendship Square). Saturdays from 8 am-1 pm through Oct. 27. facebook.com/MoscowFarmersMarket
N.E.W. Farmers Market | Short for Northeast Washington, the N.E.W. market in the heart of Colville (Main Street and Astor Avenue) was founded in 1974 as a place for local food producers and artisans to sell directly to the community. Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9 am-1 pm through October. newfarmersmarket.org
Perry Street Thursday Market | Held in the parking lot of the Shop (924 S. Perry Street), this neighborhood market has been a community resource for 12 years running. Thursdays from 3-7 pm through Oct. 25. thursdaymarket.org
Sandpoint Farmers Market | Held two times each week in Farmin Park (Third Avenue and Oak Street), the member-managed nonprofit market this year celebrates 30 years. Saturdays from 9 am-1 pm and Wednesdays from 3-5:30 pm, through Oct. 13. sandpointfarmersmarket.com
Silver Valley Farmers Market | This market in Kellogg (10 E. Station Ave.) launched last year with nearly two dozen food, craft and produce vendors, including Radio Brewing's beer garden. Thursdays from 5-8 pm through October. silvervalleychamber.com
Spokane Farmers Market | Founded 20 years ago, this downtown market (20 W. Fifth) offers the usual lineup: produce, baked goods, cut flowers, honey, locally foraged mushrooms, grass-fed beef, eggs and more. Saturdays from 8 am-1 pm and Wednesdays (starting June 13) from 8 am-1 pm through Oct. 31. spokanefarmersmarket.org ♦
