TACOMA, January 20, 2017—The Tacoma Farmers Market regretfully announces that, due to financial constraints, it is closing the 6th Avenue Farmers Market, effective for the 2017 season.
The staff and board members of the Tacoma Farmers Market are grateful to the community, loyal shoppers, and vendors for their support of this market. Opened in 2008, the 6th Avenue Farmers Market was a small neighborhood market tucked into the 6th Avenue Business District that was open for business on Tuesday afternoons each summer. It was a lively gathering place for families and offered the highest-quality fruits and vegetables from local farms. Unfortunately, the 6th Avenue Farmers Market faced six straight years of falling sales that became economically unsustainable for vendors and the organization.
“I’m greatly saddened to have to leave 6th Ave,” said Tacoma Farmers Market Executive Direc-tor Stacy Carkonen, of the closure. “We know this will be a blow to the community and we want to thank our loyal shoppers and vendors who showed up each week. We are very grateful for your support. Our energy will now be focused on growing and improving our Broadway, South Tacoma and Eastside markets. The good news is, these markets are growing, and we remain committed to bringing fresh food to all in our city.”
“The 6th Avenue Market was my first in Tacoma, and I am thankful for the relationships we have built across tables of greens, berries and tomatoes,” said farmer and Tacoma Farmers Market Board Member Katie Green. “But 6th Ave was a labor of love that became increasingly difficult to sustain with each season. Letting go of a market isn’t easy for me, but it is one that I support as a farmer and board member. I take heart in knowing that my farm and Tacoma Farmers Market aren’t walking away from our community. Instead, we look forward to reinvesting our time and energy in ways that keep us bringing fresh food to Tacoma.”
The staff and board members of the Tacoma Farmers Market would like to, again, thank the community for its patronage, and we look forward to providing fresh, local food to as many of our neighbors as possible.
Learn more about the other farmers markets in Tacoma at www.tacomafarmersmarket.com. We will release the market schedule for the 2017 season on January 23rd.
About the Tacoma Farmers Market
Tacoma Farmers Market is a nonprofit organization that creates vibrant marketplaces where local farms, small businesses, and organizations connect directly with the community. We envi-sion a Pierce County where farmland is actively preserved and where local farms grow and thrive. We strive to make it possible for all residents, regardless of income, to access fresh, healthy food, and we work to create affordable and accessible pathways to business ownership that reflect Tacoma’s rich diversity.
###
Press Contact
Name: Stacy Carkonen, Executive Director
Phone: (253) 727-7077
Email: stacy@tacomafarmersmarket.com
Website: www.tacomafarmersmarket.com