[Article provided by Savor Snoqualmie Valley. Visit their website for more ideas and information about exploring the Snoqualmie Valley: www.savorsnoqualmievalley.org ]
Interest in local food has skyrocketed as the community bands together to help support small, independent businesses in the region that are being affected by the COVID-19 closures. With farmers markets closed and restaurant sales low, Snoqualmie Valley farms need support now more than ever. In this two-part series, we’ll help you discover the many ways you can find locally grown food and enjoy its unbeatable flavor and freshness.
Farm stands are opening up all over the Snoqualmie Valley, providing an easy way to grab fresh produce, meat, eggs, and more, grown with care by our region’s farmers. We’ve compiled a list below–ranging from small roadside stands on the edge of farms, to larger markets that source from multiple farms.
Shopping at these spots is a great way to connect with the land and the story of each farm. It also provides a really important lifeline for farmers right now, allowing them to sell directly to the customer while restaurants and farmers markets are closed.
In order to comply with social distancing standards and continue efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19, several farm stands are limiting the number of customers in the area at a time, may request no cash or check payments, and ask that you only handle what you are purchasing. Check instruction signage at each location upon arrival.
Unable to shop at these physical locations? In addition to these stands and shops, many local farms are offering CSA programs, online ordering, and delivering. More details below.
Farm Stands
Baxter Barn – Fall City
Baxter Barn is open for feed and supplies Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and for poultry and tours by appointment only from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Find more information about their current available poultry and chicks on their Facebook page. Learn More
Carnation Farms – Carnation
Open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Products from several local farms may be stocked here as well, including Wild Canary Farm, Local Roots, and Oxbow Farm & Conservation Center. Check their Facebook page for what’s in stock. Learn More
Falling River Meats – Carnation
Falling River Meats has a shop open next to Carnation Farms’ farmstand Monday through Friday from 12 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. In addition to their local cuts, you can grab a corn dog while you’re there! Learn More
Farmhouse Market – Fall City
This local grocery store does a stellar job sourcing from and supporting Fall City and Carnation-area farms. Make sure to check out their big tent outside for an expanded selection as the season goes on. Learn More
Hollyhock Farm – Duvall
Hollyhock Farm sells meats and eggs as well as some produce and flowers at their shop; open Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Learn More
Jubilee Farm – Carnation
Jubilee Farm has launched an online pre-order system that allows you to purchase their own goods as well as products from several other local farms (Local Roots, Cherry Valley Dairy, Wild Canary Farm, SnoValley Mushrooms, and more). Sales open weekly on Thursday at 2 p.m. and ends on Saturday at 7 a.m. or until they sell out. Pick-up pre-packaged orders from the farm on the following Tuesday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Learn More
Local Roots Farm – Duvall
In addition to their CSA program, Local Roots Farm offers organic produce at their stand daily from 9 a.m. to dusk. Later in the summer, Local Roots farm also offers daily u-pick flower bouquets. Learn More
Steel Wheel Farm – Fall City
Farm stand is open Thursday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. You can subscribe to their mailing list to find out what’s in stock each week! Steel Wheel also offers their own CSA program as well as a CSA option through Snoqualmie Valley Farmers Cooperative. Learn More
Sweet Blissful Blooms – Fall City
Sweet Blissful Blooms offers elegant floral arrangements at their stand in Fall City on Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Their flowers can also be found at Central Cafe and Juice Bar in Seattle. Learn More
[We tried our best to find all the open farm stands, but if we missed one please let us know! Email margaret.ullmanhess@mtsgreenway.org]
Sign Up for a CSA
A CSA (which stands for Community Supported Agriculture) is an easy way to enjoy local produce for many months this summer. How it typically works: you purchase a “subscription” at the beginning of the season and in exchange receive a box of farm-fresh produce each week, once harvesting begins. By purchasing the CSA at the beginning, you help farms pay for seeds, equipment, and labor to prepare the soil. We’ve compiled a quick guide to CSAs from the Snoqualmie Valley.
Shop Online
With farmers markets closed, many farms are now experimenting with different ways to sell online and either deliver directly to you or to a pickup location in your city. We found the list compiled by the folks at Seattle Neighborhood Farmers Markets to be extremely comprehensive, useful, and up-to-date. The farms, bakeries, and artisans are located in the Snoqualmie Valley, Skagit Valley, and across Washington, and are coming up with some really creative ways to keep you connected with fresh food. Make sure to check out Sno Valley Mushrooms’ “Grow at Home” mushroom kits.
