It’s farmers market season in Tacoma, and one event is getting a new location
Farmers market season hits full stride this weekend around the South Sound, with one important update.
This year, the Eastside Tacoma Farmers Market has a new home: the Eastside Community Center near the intersection of 56th Street and Portland Avenue.
Starting June 7 and recurring every Tuesday through Aug. 30, this evening event will welcome about a dozen vendors, including fresh berries from Puyallup’s Sidhu Farms, veggies galore from Amador Farms and packaged foods from The Mediterranean Hummus. Newcomer The Bajan Station will serve Caribbean patties that resemble empanadas, chicharrones, fried plantains, beans and rice — all inspired by family recipes from the owners’ native home of Barbados.
The smallest of the three TFM markets, the Eastside edition had for several years operated from the parking lot at 3507 McKinley Ave. In February, the Puyallup Tribe of Indians purchased the Tacoma Christian Center, renovating the former church to become a full-service funeral home for Tribal members.
The sale left the TFM team looking for a new location just three months ahead of opening day.
Tribal Council Vice Chairwoman Sylvia Miller connected with market leaders — at the time led by interim executive director Rebecca Lane — and Catherine Ushka, deputy mayor and the council representative for the Eastside district.
The conversation reached MetroParks, which manages the Eastside Community Center, a facility “created to serve our Eastside community,” said Andrea Smith, president of the board of park commissioners, in a press release.
“Addressing the very real problem of food insecurity by giving access to healthy, locally grown food is an incredible way to serve that community and support our commitment to equity and access,” she said. “It’s a gift, and MetroParks is grateful to all the partners that have made it possible.”
Equipped with ample parking and already known as an activity hub since its 2018 debut, the center at 1721 E. 56th St. is befitting of a weekly farmers market.
“We all kind of worked together to find this spot, which was really cool,” newly appointed TFM executive director Britt McGrath told The News Tribune. “We are very excited about this location and are committed to continue having markets on the Eastside.”
In addition to the season-long roster of vendors, market guests on opening day will hear live music from Portland-based band Chasing Ebenezer.
The Eastside Community Center location is temporary. The Tribe said it will continue working with TFM to find a permanent home for the Tuesday market.
“We’re glad the market found a temporary location. This is good news for the community,” said Sylvia Miller, vice chairwoman of the Puyallup Tribe, adding that the Tribe admires the entrepreneurial spirit the market nurtures.
On Sunday, June 5, TFM launches its summer season at the picturesque Grand Plaza at Point Ruston. More than 70 vendors set up tents in the open concourse and along the Grand Loop.
On Thursdays, the original Broadway market — founded in 1990 — runs between 9th and 11th streets, with more than 80 vendors including several prepared food choices for lunch. Look also for the Fresh Express Mobile Market at select locations throughout Pierce County and the MultiCare market, which runs from July to August in Hilltop.
Elsewhere in the South Sound, stock your pantry and fridge with local goods from one of a few dozen Western Washington farmers markets, from Tacoma’s Proctor District to Olympia and Puyallup.
TACOMA FARMERS MARKET
▪ Eastside: Eastside Community Center, 1721 E. 56th St.; Tuesdays, June 7-Aug. 30, 3-7 p.m.
▪ Broadway: 9th and Broadway; Thursdays, May 5-Oct. 27, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
▪ Point Ruston: Grand Plaza, 5101 Grand Loop Road.; Sundays, June 5-Sept. 4, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
▪ MultiCare: Tacoma General Hospital, 315 Martin Luther King Jr. Way; Fridays, July 15-Aug. 26, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
▪ Fresh Express Mobile Market: selection locations; Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday; visit tacomafarmersmarket.com/fresh-express-mobile-market for current schedule
This story was originally published June 1, 2022 at 5:00 AM.