Farmers Market at Sandpoint

The Sandpoint Farmers Market takes place every Wednesday from 300-530pm and on Saturdays from 9a-330p. For our size community to support two weekly markets from May into October is pretty cool in and of itself. But this one always seems to have solid support from both the farmers and vendors, to the locals who make it a habit to buy their groceries at the market.

My wife and I only recently started going to most of the Markets, and we're really hooked now. Since we have been at the Market over the past few weeks, we've gotten to know most of the farmers who are just awesome additions to Sandpoint and the North Idaho community. Most of these people are smaller scale family businesses. You'll usually see all the kids chipping in to help out, talking to customers about the fantastic family potatoes, vegetables, or goat cheese. The markets become a real family and neighborhood event if you participate regularly, as there are so many regulars in attendance each time.

The Market has been able to line up some nice entertainment every week as well, usually very entertaining and engaging. Its fun to see all the kids dancing and chasing each other around while parents visit with each other and buy groceries. Certainly a better experience than the standard trip to the grocery store! And the food is really something else- a great way to stock up on the essentials.

With the last Market taking place this Saturday Oct 10th, there is already a plan in place for a Winter Farmers Market in the Cedar Street Bridge. Hopefully this will be able to get off the ground. Regardless of this, the new online Six Rivers Marketplace is bound to catch on as a great year round alternative to these farmers markets. Local farmers and other 'producers' pay a small fee to sell their product through this website and post their offering online. Then consumers can shop online and pick everything they want, having it bagged and ready for pickup at the Sandpoint Events Center every Wed afternoon. This is a concept that has been huge in towns like Bend, Oregon and is certain to catch on. The basic concept of supporting local business and sustainable living just resonates well around here in these times.

So this final weekend of Harvest Fest is the last Farmers Market of the season. With OctoberFest following immediately afterwards in the Sothebys parking lot, there are sure to be tons of people out enjoying the peak of Fall and talking about another epic ski season on the horizon.