Sandpoint Farmers Market under new management

SANDPOINT -- The region's favorite summer outdoor market is under new management this season as 15-year local resident Patti Fulton undertakes the complex job of running the Sandpoint Farmers Market.

"Basically, I'll be managing all the vendors, the applications, the website, public relations, marketing and anything associated with the market in terms of functionality. The board has final say on everything," Fulton said.

“It’s run by very professional people who have been doing this a long time," she said. "They understand the market, the product and the town really well.”

Founder Lois Wythe, former owner of The Peaceable Kingdom, organized the first area farmers' market in 1988. The original 10 vendors offered produce, plants and cut flowers from their own gardens, according to the association's website. In the initial years, volunteers managed the seasonal, open-air marketplace, but as its numbers grew, the board hired its first official manager, Ellen Weissman. The Wednesday and Saturday event continued to thrive as the association gradually added live music, arts and crafts vendors, and hot food booths, according to the website.

Over the years, the association has stayed true to its ideals. Farm vendors must grow their plants and produce on their own land within a 100-mile radius of Sandpoint. No resale products are allowed.

All applicants are subject to jurying and, if accepted, must participate in 12 Saturday markets to become a permanent member. The association strives to keep a balance of farm and craft booths, but gives priority to the farmers, Fulton said.

Farm vendors are located in Farmin Park at the center of the city, with food and arts and crafts booths located near the fountain at Jeff Jones Town Square, the farmers market opens on the first Saturday in May and closes Oct. 15.

By far, Fulton said the association's most successful event of the year is the Harvest Festival in November, which is an indoor event, she said.

According to the Sandpoint Farmers Market website, as many as 100 vendors participate in a given season, but only about 65 spots are available on a particular market day. This means not every vendor shows up every market day.

One challenge Fulton faces that no previous market manager has had to deal with is coordinating the collection of the city's new local open sales tax.

"The biggest brouhaha going on (this year) is the 1 percent tax. As an association, the market is responsible for that," she said.

Some of the items shoppers will find at the farmers' market this year include bedding plants, shrubs, garden comestibles, fruit, flowers, bulbs and tubers, honey, eggs, cheese, meat, wild-harvested edibles, and arts and crafts made by the vendors.

Information: sandpointfarmersmarket.com