It’s the time of year many of us dread. The Sandpoint Farmers’ Market closed for season this month. No more Saturday mornings browsing the tables overloaded with the seasonal freshness of the area, sipping our local coffee, and meeting up with friends. Although we will all miss the open-air grocery shopping and fun atmosphere the market creates, there is no need to fret…Sandpoint residents can still buy and eat local all year through our own community co-operative market, the Six Rivers Market.
Six Rivers Market was developed by locals as a gift to the Sandpoint community. The market is run mainly via its website and offers local produce and products created within a 100 mile radius of Sandpoint. This philosophy of supporting local farmers creates a sustainable environment on which Sandpoint can build upon. When our commerce is heavily dependent on local producers, we as a community become self-supportive. This creates a healthier community on both a consumption and economic level.
Market users shop online during “open market” and submit their orders by Monday evening. On Wednesday, the orders are fulfilled and ready for pick-up at Sandpoint’s Event Center in Downtown. You can purchase an assortment of items including fresh eggs and produce, breads, cookies, cakes, fruit pies, jams, jellies, candy and honey, locally roasted coffee beans, meat and any food produced with a license.
The movement to buy local is especially important in a time where oil concerns and gas prices are on the rise. The word “sustainable” has been mentioned more in the past five years due to such concerns. But Sandpoint is one of only two U.S. cities to take this concept to the next level.
In 2008, the Sandpoint Transition Initiative received its official designation as a Transition Town by the Transition Network, UK. There are numerous facets to a “Transition Town”, one of them being our food sustainability methods. The Six Rivers Market provides ease to consumers, supports our local economy and helps reduce Sandpoint’s overall environmental imprint.
Back to the Farmers’ Market: The food you purchase from the market is fresh and has not been hauled across the country. The baked goods are freshly baked and the eggs come from chickens just down the street. You can shop the market knowing you will enjoy wonderful food, while helping build your community.
The Market hosts community pot lucks and invites members and non-members to come meet the farmers and other producers. The schedule for these events can be found on their website. There is a yearly membership fee of $25.00 and a small “Market fee” that is added to all the orders. This covers administrative costs to run the market.
Harmony Libby, the new market manager is encouraged by the positive growth the market is seeing in new members and producers. “The introduction of new product has proven to be a huge selling point amongst our members. Last month we added raw milk and soy beans to the list, this month we are introducing Ivano’s to the market. They will be listing an array of take-home meals, dressings, and desserts.”
Take a moment to explore this interesting and innovative concept by visiting the Six Rivers Market website or stopping by on Wednesday afternoon – pick-up day – at the Sandpoint Event Center. They can be reached by phone at 208.946.5562.
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