My name’s Nicole and this is my second year as Director of Redmond Saturday Market. And well, I’d like to tell you all what I love about the longest running open-air market on the Eastside.
Before I switched to administrative work, I began my involvement with the market as one of the vendors-selling handmade hair accessories. Boy I’ve got to tell you that it’s such a treat to have had the unique opportunity of seeing the market from all sides-as a manager, as a vendor, and (who can forget) as a customer, of course! It just feels like one big family-I get swept up in this warm sense of local community when I see so many different faces brought together on one gravel lot. I hope you do, too! Who are these different faces, you might ask? Today, I'll tell you about some of our farmers and food specialists.Redmond Saturday Market has FARMERS…
…many with great life stories. Just ask Brian Holmquist of Holmquist Hazelnut Orchards-Brian and his family have been RSM members since 1988! Brian's great great grandfather started the first 5 acres of hazelnut trees in 1928. Ask him about hazelnuts and Brian sure will tell you all about them! In fact there’s never been a time that I haven’t seen Brian chatting away with customers-he’s a very friendly face!
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Or talk next-door with the Root Connection-the oldest CSA on the west coast! Starting in 1986, they’ve grown all chemical-free vegetables. Root Connection grows their own veggie starts and tomato plants from seed-using varieties that perform well at their farm, as well as in NW gardens. They welcome visitors and are located in the Sammamish Valley just north of Redmond.
Redmond Saturday Market has FOOD SPECIALISTS…
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…like Joyce Endrody-you might know her better as “the honey lady”. Joyce has been a member of RSM since 1997! In addition to a fine assortment of honey, Joyce brings an array of all natural skin care products made from olive oil and beeswax. And of course she’s got honey sticks-much adored by all the kids! With her always smiling face and that perfect English accent, you can't miss her at booth # 5 under the short house.
Two more friendly faces are Sharon and Curt Goodman of Vinland Farms Winery! Together, they make a fabulous variety of fruit wines-such as strawberry, raspberry, blackberry/pear, pineapple/cantaloupe and more! They even make some mead, and did I mention art? In fact, the artwork on all their wine labels was designed and created by Sharon and Curt!
If your trip to market takes you over to the longhouse, you’ll want to visit Jane Rabay of Chez Jane Gourmet Garlic Spreads. Jane believes strongly in supporting products that give back to cancer research. A portion from the sales of all Chez Jane Garlic Spreads goes to helping the wonderful people of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in their fight against cancer!
I so hope you’ll visit these wonderful people while you take a look around our market. Do you have a great Redmond Saturday Market story? I'd love to hear it!