PORT ANGELES – The Port Angeles Farmer’s Market reopens in downtown Port Angeles Saturday.
But the reopen comes as the market faces steep financial issues and the possibility of shutting down for good.
This week, the market board sent an appeal to local residents to consider making a direct monetary donations and volunteering to keep the 50-year-old entity thriving.
Market Manager Billy Fortini says the market was already facing financial issues before the coronavirus shut down its operations earlier this year.
“So, our market had a challenging year last year namely due to the loss of a couple of our big farmers. So prior to the COVID outbreak we were already facing a challenging situation and we were hoping for a big reopening this spring, a good summer season, and unfortunately, we’ve had to be closed since mid March.”
Fortini says the market will reopen Saturday with a different look.
“We’re looking forward to a number of local farms being in attendance. We, unfortunatel,y will not be able to have some of our talented craftspeople; food processors in the area; different vendors who do not meet the ‘essential’ category. We anticipate having kind of a smaller market with much more space between each vendor.”
Fortini says the public will remember the market’s impact in bringing fresh, locally procured food and goods to the public. You can head to the market’s website, portangelesfarmersmarket.com for ways you can donate money or volunteer.