Pike Place Market

Our farmers at Pike Place Market are expanding their repertoire, and, seemingly, dreaming up new ways to sell their crops in some unique offerings that have not been seen on our cobblestones before.

They are exploring new and delicious - not to mention creative - ways they offer their crops that thirty years ago would have been unimaginable at the roadside vegetable stand prolific in our mothers’ days. 

The last few years, we’ve moved, budged, grudgingly and carefully, a little, in order to accommodate our farmers who want to try new ways to present their crops to Market customers. Inevitably it’s a good thing for the bottom line of farmers – which is my number one priority when it comes to the livelihood of agriculture-related sales at the Pike Place Market. 

The reason we are exceedingly careful about what farmers may sell out on the street is that I am always mindful of the authenticity of Pike Place Market and all that entails – and won’t allow our farmers market to morph into a fairground-like attraction with a bunch of prepared food tables – despite the fact that the food may be centered around local produce. Picky, I know, but fundamental to our heritage here at the Market.

That said, one of the most interesting things about this place is that we do evolve with time and the wants and desires of our customers and our merchants and farmers – but we do it carefully, which to me, is rather comforting. I know that if we carry forth the mission to preserve the historic integrity of the Market – and what is offered here – that is in essence helping to secure its future and place in the collective soul of Seattle.

So – a couple of years ago Tiny’s Organics began selling (along with their incomparable apples, cherries, pluots and peaches of all kinds) fruit smoothies here at Pike that are made soup-to-nuts with products gleaned from their farm. And it’s been a smashing success for them. The quality of theses organic fruit smoothies are top drawer and they are made to order and on the spot. They run this part of the business so well, so seamlessly, and so pure to what their farm table is – that it has proven to be a welcome addition to our farmers market. Bravo!  (P.S.Tiny’s Organics sell daily at Pike Place during the summer.)

Then, just this past June, Jamie Baird of Baird Orchards approached me about selling homemade potato chips made from Baird Orchard potatoes.  Admittedly, Jamie has watched the success Tiny’s Organics has enjoyed over the past two season given in part to the fruit smoothies and he decided he’d like to try something similar but with his specific product type.

In July of this year, Baird Orchards began selling homemade - cut and cooked on the spot - potato chips and French fries. They are lip-smacking good - crispy, salty and clean tasting - as Jamie flash fries them so that they do not absorb an unwanted amount of oil (he uses a 50/50 mix of cottonseed and canola oil). Jamie is using the Yukon Gold variety and they are certified organic. The second week Jamie was in this grand experiment he added French Fries to the mix – and also to vast success, so much so he began to sell out at around 2 pm each day. 

You can find Baird Orchards out on the cobblestones Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays during the summer selling season.   

- James Haydu