PORT TOWNSEND — Fresh high-quality produce, musical entertainment and fun things for the kids to do — that’s the recipe that has kicked the gross sales of the Port Townsend Farmers Market beyond $600,000 this season, said Libby Urner, market director.
Gross sales are substantially up from $500,000 during the 2005 season.
They were $365,000 in 2004.
Depending on final sales, Urner said, this year could gross between $620,000 and $630,000.
Urner said that the Port Townsend market is the most successful farmers market west of Seattle.
It is now on par with Seattle-area community markets such as Ballard and Capital Hill, she said.
“In terms of numbers, for the size of the community, we’re one of the most successful,” said Urner.
“Success is largely due to the awareness of Port Townsend and Jefferson County of the importance of high-quality local food.”
The Saturday Farmers Market began this year on April 28 and will continue through this Saturday.
It is held from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Tyler Street between Lawrence and Clay streets.
For the first time, this year, a special Thanksgiving Day market is set on Nov. 23.
The Wednesday market ended Sept. 27.