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Friday, June 1 marked the beginning of the annual summer farmers market located at 23208 56th Ave. W. The MLT Farmers Market will continue to be open every Friday from 1:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. until Sept. 28.
Elementary school students from Terrace Park also came to the grand opening to give a live musical performance for the opening day shoppers.
This season offers an abundance of businesses with a variety of products to sell to the public.
The Snohomish Bakery has been in the MLT Farmers Market for a year and continues to be a customer favorite. The bakery specializes in artisan bread and French pastries and has products ranging from the $1 Russian Tea Cake to the $7 Lemon Kert Pound Cake.
Fresh produce is also available at Ayala Family Farms booth, where a variety of vegetables and fruits are sold. They specialize in asparagus, growing a variety of kinds, including a sweet purple variation that will be available in a couple of weeks.
Holmquist Hazelnut Orchards has been in business for 85 years, but has only started selling at MLT Farmers Market this year. While Holmquist grows only two kinds of hazelnuts, they prepare and sell them in many different ways. Most hazelnuts sold have a savory flavor. Some come with a spicy kick such as the southwestern flavor.
“Whole hazelnuts are crushed to make the flour and the oil that’s left from this process is collected and sold as well,” employee Adrianna Holmquist said.
Siochin Lavender sells lavender and lavender-based products, all within a price range from $5 to $20. Live plants, perfumes, and garden balm are among many top choices and the best selling all-natural insect repellent is bound to make a comeback within the next couple of weeks at the farmer’s market.
The snack bar of the market “Welcome to the Jungle” made its debut at the market. Serving barbecued corn on the cob, chips and other snacks and beverages, they are sure to be a favorite of market-goers. They also provide a selection of honey and honey sticks that come in multiple flavors.
Chue Ge Garden provides a stellar amount of flowers and vegetables, starting at $2 per garlic or onion bundle and $7 for the flowers. They’ve been selling at the MLT Farmers market for two years and have a wide array of seasonal flowers such as irises, lupines and poppies.
Aside from food, plant-products and flowers, the market also has a nonprofit organization that wishes to change the way MLT residents use energy at home. Sustainable Works is a nonprofit general contractor with a mission to help homes become more energy efficient through home assessments and retrofits. They have a booth at the market where “any interested person can sign up for an audit, where we inspect your home for 3 to 4 hours and see which things could be improved to make your home more energy efficient,” according to Richard Wells, organizer for Sustainable Works. Sustainable Works is hosting an informative event on Thursday, June 14 at 6:30 p.m.
More businesses will appear in the Farmers Market within the next few weeks, including another produce stand.