Pike Place Market

Actually, the Farm Program at the Pike Place Market has had this truck for a few years now, but the newly painted mural that decorates it has given it…er…him, a new identity. In June of 2011, artists Jeff Jacobson and Joey Nix met with staff to learn about Pike Place Market farmers and then created this fabulous mobile masterpiece.

Sharon Shaw of Marshland Orchards with their Farm Fresh Eggs

Okay, I admit some of my penchants for certain flavors border on the idiosyncratic. Like tomato catsup. I can eat it on so many different things, and not just with French fries.

Eggs would be another. I love eggs. I can eat them morning, noon and night. That’s right, even for dinner. My family thought it a bit odd at first, especially my son. But it’s an idea that is catching on, and I’m discovering that there are others out there (hello, you’re there, right?) who also enjoy eggs in such ways.

First of all, let’s get the pronounciation straight:  “KEEN-wah.” I won’t bother to go into detail how I pronounced it when I first discovered this wonderful super food several years ago at DeLaurenti Specialty Food & Wine here in the Market. Back then, it was relatively new to the American market, but as more people have found out about its health and nutrition benefits, it’s become more popular. It’s easy to see why.

"To feel safe and warm on a cold wet night, all you really need is soup." – Laurie Colwin

With the arrival of autumnal weather, it might seem like the growing season is coming to a close. But wait, winter’s not here yet! This is the time of the harvest, and many fruits and vegetables are just hitting their peak. A walk through the Market on a recent blustery Thursday brought this home to me as I took note of the squashes, apples and beautiful wild mushrooms which are just about as affordable as they get right now.

Teri and I were lucky enough to tour Doris and Donald Mech’s Maple Valley apiary this summer. The Mechs have been selling their honey at Pike Place Market since 1974, making them our most senior farm permit.

Last year the Pike Place Market got into the neighborhood farmers market game. Conventional wisdom says “but isn’t the Market in the farmers market game already”?

True enough. Pike Place is in fact the first and longest running neighborhood farmers market in all of Seattle.

Pictured above: Tiny's Organics nectarines, warming in the sun

Living and working in the Market is definitely a unique experience – and one that admittedly, on occasion, I have to remind myself is a privilege.  Sometimes I think it’s rather like what living in The White House might feel like.  Millions of people a year are traipsing through “your house” to get a closer look, and sometimes even pose for photos on your front porch (this happened to me just this past Saturday).