Farmer nation

Grandma Dean McMillin (right) of Little Rock, Ark., with her granddaughter Sofia Stockburger (second from right) , 4, of Bellingham, take a bite out of their lunch that they bought at the Bellingham Farmers Market. RACHEL E. BAYNE HERALD PHOTO

Market offers many tantalizing treats

Stacee Sledge

July 11, 2002 — Spending Saturday morning sauntering through the Bellingham Farmers Market has become a habit for my husband and me. And we're not alone. Founded in 1992 and currently celebrating its 10th year, the market has grown exponentially, now featuring 60 to 65 vendors each week. Run by a volunteer board of directors and one paid manager, the market emanates a joyful atmosphere, accomplished with the help of affable merchants, talented local entertainers and a loyal following of regular shoppers.

Beginning at 7 a.m. each Saturday from April to October, vendors arrive to set up shop in the lot across from Boundary Bay at Railroad and Chestnut. Shoppers appear in droves after the market opens at 10 a.m. to pour over produce, select from a variety of arts and crafts and even enjoy a massage. Farmers markets, in my opinion, are the best way to get a feel for a community. Vendors are friendly and welcoming, but there's no pressure to purchase. Strike up a conversation about a plant or fruit you've never seen, and you'll leave having made a friend as well as learning something new. Rain or shine, vibrant, earthy colors pop out left and right, beckoning both serious shoppers and casual wanderers. Scrumptious smells summon you up and down the aisles as you amble from vendor to vendor, touching tiny herb plants, smelling sweet flowers and marveling over beautiful crafts. The board outlines clear policies that govern what can be sold at the market, guaranteeing high-quality, distinctive products.

Bellingham Farmers Market

Location: Railroad Avenue and Chestnut Street, Bellingham Phone: 647-2060 Hours: 10 a.m. to  3 p.m., Saturdays, April to October Items sampled: Belgian waffles with strawberry sauce $3.75 Chicken adobo and lumpia Shanghai $6

A recent Saturday found us weaving through the crowd, buying fresh flowers and an enormous bunch of spinach. Prices are always reasonable for items at the market, which is one of the reasons we enjoy going. Plus, most produce is grown organically.

On this particular day, we skipped breakfast so we could enjoy some of the prepared foods sold at the market. A lone guitarist crooned "Goodnight, Irene" as we wandered up and down the back row of vendors selling an array of dishes. Offerings ranged from ethnic fare like Nimnual's Thai, Spirit of Greece and India Grill to hot dogs and kielbasa. For those with a sweet tooth, there was Mallard's ice cream and chocolates from Sweetart.

I chose Bosman's "The Works" Belgian waffle, a long rectangle of soft, warm, chewy waffle topped with tangy strawberry sauce and six dollops of freshly whipped cream, finished with a liberal sprinkle of powdered sugar. The same can be had sans strawberry sauce for 50 cents less. I grabbed a seat at one of the many picnic tables and waited for my husband to arrive with his selection.

My husband was in a lunch mood, as it was nearing noon, and chose a combo at the Manila House, which offered a variety of authentic Philippine food.

Combo No. 1 at the Manila House stand was a heaping plate of succulent chicken adobo in vinegar and soy sauce with slices of garlic, a mound of steamed white rice, lettuce salad and two tubes of lumpia Shanghai.

Lumpia is a traditional Philippino appetizer, not unlike eggrolls. Traditionally, tight scrolls of lumpia wrappers are filled with savory ingredients such as ground meat, poultry, shrimp, cabbage, garlic, onion, carrot, water chestnuts, bean sprouts, and chick peas. I can't be sure if all of these ingredients were present in the Manila House's version of Lumpia Shanghai, but I am certain that it was delightful.

We finished our meals, sat for a bit and watched passing children's happy reactions to their colorful surroundings, then continued shopping, rounding out the trip with a bushel of bing cherries, and a basil plant to add to my container garden at home.

Just this past weekend I had the chance to visit the farmers market on Lummi Island for the first time with friends visiting from Montana. The Lummi market was much smaller than Bellingham's, but just as gratifying an experience. The brief ferry ride across made it feel as though we had traveled to a distant, exceptionally beautiful land.

I enjoyed fresh mango salsa with my friends Timory and Val, while Timory's children, Kevin and Callan, munched on brownies and other delectable baked goods that could be had for 50 cents.

Both the Bellingham and Lummi Island markets are spotlighted in a recently published book by best-selling cookbook author Deborah Madison, "Local Flavors: Cooking and Eating from America's Farmers' Markets." Madison's previous books include "Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone" and "The Savory Way," both of which received the Julia Child Cookbook of the Year from the International Association of Culinary Professionals.

The well-known author will be appearing at both Village Books and The Willows Inn on Lummi Island this weekend to share a slide show and sign copies of her latest book. Having poured over the pages of "Local Markets," I can highly recommend it. Stunning photography of farmers markets finds and mouth-watering recipes created from the same make for a functional as well as beautiful book.

The Bellingham Farmers Market was recently awarded a $10,900 grant from the Washington State Department of Agriculture to help fund a campaign titled "Experience the Market and Meet the Producers." This will mean more exposure and continued growth for the market, and even more pleased patrons.

We're fortunate to have access to these and other magnificent farmers markets in our area. I'll continue to look forward to my summer Saturday ritual of wandering through the rows of fresh produce and artisan crafts sold by people with friendly faces and a quick hello.