Summers in Woodinville are so special, and are worth celebrating! No one knows this better than the dedicated members of our Woodinville Farmers Market board. All of them are lovers of local, seasonal produce and our thriving small business community.
Get to know the faces behind the Market and hear from them about why the Woodinville Farmers Market is special. They share their favorites ways to celebrate a Woodinville summer through their love of seasonal food – a bountiful feast starting with favorites on a snack plate to two summer salads, a grilled salmon entree, and finishing with a spectacular but simple fruit tart that anyone can pull off. Tips on how to use produce and flowers from the Market round out this tour of summer goodness.
Erik Goheen, Board Secretary, Sammamish Farms
“I joined the board to build the market on Festival Street and bring more produce and grocery vendors to the Woodinville market. In just the past few years we’ve added bakeries, farmers, orchards, cheese mongers, ro
asters and brewers to compliment the family businesses that have anchored the market for decades. It’s been a treat to watch the market grow and develop into a community attraction in the heart of Woodinville.
My favorite foods are smoothies and I love connecting with the vendors that bring fruits that I can freeze and enjoy all year. Lately I’ve loved the bread and cheese options at the market. I’m a sucker for fresh mozzarella and baguette-based snacking plate which has been a low prep go-to this summer. Add nuts, baked goodies, a refreshing beverage, and some dipping veggies for a great summer picnic.”
Maryam Hormati, Board Member
“I started out with the Woodinville Farmers Market as assistant manager because I wanted to get more involved with my local community beyond my work in healthcare. My passion for cooking and locally sourced produce made this role the perfect fit. I transitioned into the board position to continue my involvement behind the scenes and better learn the inner workings of managing a farmers market.”
Jennifer Beeler, Board Member
“I was asked to join the board because I run the Woodinville Foodies Facebook group and love to
support local food and wine businesses. I am a real estate agent who lives in Woodinville and I really enjoy being involved in my community in a meaningful way. The market has evolved quite a bit over the years and it’s been rewarding seeing the growth and having the opportunity to volunteer alongside other small business owners.
One of my go-to simple summer recipes is a Nectarine + Heirloom Tomato Caprese. I particularly love a pineapple heirloom tomato with its sweeter flavor, low acidity and meaty texture which holds up well with the soft mozzarella. Layer the nectarine, tomato and thickly sliced buffalo mozzarella then sprinkle with some flaky salt, crack some pepper and drizzle the dish with olive oil. A great addition is a syrupy balsamic vinegar.”
Dave Holthus, Board Member, Woodinville Sauce Co.
“I have been privileged to work alongside hundreds of talented culinarians throughout the years: from the healthy slopes of Colorado to the spicy streets of Mumbai India to finally the bountiful PNW. In all these relationships I found one truth behind all their food and passion, a sense of community or family. Once I decided to step out from under employment and into my own shop, I made sure that I would have community at the center of everything I did. My sauce company is based on this, and being a part of the Woodinville Farmers Market Board now for two years only strengthens this ethos. I hope you enjoy your visit to our lovely market, and all that it has to offer.
Lisa Crawford, Board Treasurer, The Tiny Kitchen Seattle
“As the Woodinville Farmers Market treasurer, a market baker and culinary instructor, I love seasonal foods! Farmers Markets are the best place to know what’s actually in season for our area. Getting fruits and vegetables often the day they are picked, means I get all the flavor, color and nutrients these foods have to offer. Using peak of season fruits in a dessert like this Fresh Fruit Tart will utterly stun your guests! The slight tang from the mascarpone coupled with the summer sweetness from the fruit is almost perfect.
Bonnie Plottner, Board Vice President, Swanky Scoop
“I am a local small business owner and longtime foodie and farmers market shopper who is committed to strengthening our community of food growers and food lovers. I also draw on previous experience serving on the board of the Hicap Parents Coun
cil and helping start Bo-POP (Bothellites for People Oriented Places).
I love the opportunity to use fresh local food (including strawberries from Our Family Farms, peaches from Bill’s Fruits, and basil and rhubarb from Sammamish Farms) in the ice cream we create atSwanky Scoop! When using fruits in ice cream you always need to remove as much water as possible, using techniques like macerating in sugar or roasting to concentrate the flavor and sweetness.”
No summer celebration feast is complete without a beautifully dressed table. The farmers market is always a wonderful place to buy the freshest flowers. Our Board President in particular is a flower connoisseur and shares how best to care for your market fresh bouquet.
Torrey Edwards – Board President
“I volunteer my time to the Woodinville Farmers Market because I believe in building our community by providing opportunities for genuine connection and supporting access to local fresh food for all.
Can I just say I think we have the best flowers at our farmers market? Gorgeous bouquets at very reasonable prices greeting you at either entrance of Festival Street all season long. Every year I look forward to picking a new bouquet each week to brighten my home with color and variety. My mom worked in a flower shop when I was young, and I learned early on that you bring the flowers home and give them a fresh snip off the bottom at an angle before arranging them in a vase (it doesn’t need to remove much stem since they were fresh cut that morning!). Also remove any leaves that would sit in the water. Another trim and fresh water on Wednesday, and you’ve got happy flowers all week until you can visit the market again.
Here are a few pictures of them making my home happy.”
Hopefully, you have had many opportunities to bask in the joy that is a PNW summer. Sometimes fleeting, always lovely, full of delicious local fruits and vegetables, stunning flowers, and a friendly and welcoming community – we hope to share this season with you. Come say hello at the Market, and share with us some of your summer joy!
