PORT TOWNSEND – The uptown Farmers Market saw gross sales rise by 5 percent this year, to $662,000, compared to 2006 sales, said Market Manager Nick Hill.
“It was a modest success this year, at least in terms of revenues,” said Hill, who recently presented financial figures to the Port Townsend Farmers Market board.
In his analysis, Hill said that although weather and a broad range of other factors challenged local farmers this year, preventing some from attending market, average farm sales increased by 10 percent.
Average craft sales increased by 28 percent.
The biggest gain came with in the average sales of value-added products by food and nonfood processors, increasing by more than 50 percent.
Hill recommended that current market vendors and new applicants continue to diversify the products available at market by processing more local food.
Hill is stepping down from his post as market manager for personal reasons, but will remain on the market board and help in the hiring of, and transition to his successor.
Gross sales in 2006 came to about $630,000.
That compares to $500,000 in during the 2005 season, $365,000 in 2004 and $160,000 in 2002.
The market had 80 vendors on the books, with an annual weekly attendance of 50 vendors.
While there is serious talk about a permanent new farmers market location in Port Townsend, Hill said, “My personal belief is it’s very healthy uptown and should stay there.
“When it went uptown it became a community center.”
Hill said he highly recommends a covered facility for any future permanent location, similar to the Olympia Farmers Market.
