Leavenworth Farmers Market wraps up season after strong harvest, lighter turnout

The Leavenworth and Cashmere Farmers Markets concluded their season on Oct. 11 and 12, drawing nearly 12,000 attendees in Leavenworth and over 3,400 in Cashmere. Cascade Community Markets Executive Director Cali Osborne highlighted a successful harvest season but noted a decline in sales due to reduced foot traffic. To address this, the organization plans to shift the Cashmere market to Wednesday evenings, allowing more vendors to participate and reducing scheduling conflicts with other regional markets. This decision follows a public and vendor survey conducted throughout the season.

Furthermore, they aim to enhance the use of food access benefits, which have decreased since the Washington State Department of Health modified the SNAP Market Match program, lowering the maximum match amount. Cascade Community Markets has applied for grants to support an unlimited matching policy, making fresh produce more accessible to low-income families. The adjustments seek to create a sustainable shopping environment that fosters local agriculture while improving financial opportunities for vendors. These initiatives reflect a commitment to connecting the community with fresh, local food sources.