Market History
Celebrating 30 years!
1992-2022
The Saturday Market is more than just a place to buy fresh produce and hand crafted products. It fosters a sense of community and acts a gathering place for friends and family.
Thanks to the dedication of the hardworking citizens, vendors, and staff that have created and sustained the market that we know and love today - for 30 years!
Market History
Est. 1992. The idea of an organized farmers market was conceptualized by a dedicated group of community members in 1992 and Bellingham Farmers Market Association was officially formed in 1993. There were various iterations of a famers market prior to this, which included a farmers market in the late 1970s and eighties. At one point, a market was located at the old train station on Railroad Avenue, at what is now the bus station.
The Saturday farmers market as we know it today, has had a longstanding history of being located in and around its current location. However, the market did not have a permanent home until the early 2000s. A committee of engaged and dedicated citizens was formed in 2004 to explore the idea of “Depot Market Square.” In partnership with the City of Bellingham, they raised enough funds to elevate the Depot Market Square project to one of greater community impact. Depot Market Square was completed in 2006.
The Depot Market Square Committee met weekly for two years and was comprised of representatives from the Farmers Market, the City of Bellingham, local businesses, and community members, most notably Brian Griffin at whose home the committee met. Funds to build the Depot Market came from many sources: public donations, fund raising events, city, state, and federal grants, and private donations from local business people.
The Depot Market Square sits on the ancestral homelands of the Coast Salish Peoples and former site of the historic 1895 Railroad Depot, built by the Bellingham Bay and British Columbia Railroad. Depot Market Square pays homage to this former landmark, by emulating the original building and covered platforms. An old bridge from Skagit county was refurbished for much of the metal truss work and arches which are visible when standing inside the pavilion.
It was pure serendipity that steel beams from the defunct Skagit River bridge were made available to the Depot Market project after construction had already started - as they were not in the original plans. The brass bell that rings each Market day was once an actual working bell on a train that frequented Bellingham (1891-1911). There are metal plaques on the pavilion posts that describe the history of the bridge and bell, in addition to other notable building facts.
Depot Market Square is owned and operated by the City of Bellingham. When the space is not being rented to Bellingham Farmers Market, it is utilized by other organizations, individuals, and businesses for events, weddings, and parties. Monday through Friday, the area is available for parking by permit.
In 2020, BFM persevered through the tumultuous beginnings of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Saturday market remained open most of that year and continued to be a vitally important asset to the community. In 2021, local artists Gretchen Leggitt and Sarah Finger painted a vibrant mural at Depot Market Square, further designating the location as home of the Bellingham Farmers Market.
There have also been other markets operated by BFM during the week. The Wednesday market operated on the Fairhaven Village Green for approximately 20 years. Limited by parking and changing customer habits, the market’s last year there was in 2018. In 2019, BFM tried a market at Barkley Village (BFM had previously tried there in 2003 for a Tuesday market). Due to the Covid pandemic, the weekday market was paused in 2020.
In 2021, the Wednesday market was resurrected at a new location - the downtown waterfront. This site sits on Port of Bellingham property, and is the former home of a Georgia Pacific papermill. Old “digesters” still stand and pay homage to the hardworking people of our area. The Port location now boasts the nearby “acid ball,” Granary Building, and Kulshan Brewing’s Trackside beer garden.
Bellingham Farmers Market has changed, grown, and evolved over its 30 year history. Join us in 2022 as we celebrate the past and look toward the future!
Thank you to all of the volunteers, vendors, customers, and staff who have helped make Bellingham Farmers Market what it is today!
The early years
The mid years
The later years
Now and into the future!
Market Staff and Organizers.
Managers and Directors:
Tere Moody, 1993-1994
Christina Porter, mid 1990s
Karen Durham, mid 1990s
Emily Weaver, late 1990s
Robin Crowder, 2001 -2008
Caprice Teske, 2009 - 2019
Lora Liegel, 2019 - 2023
Supporting Staff:
Rick Alcantra, Zach Zinc, Ahnna Kesterson, Emily Mallos, Morgan Henry Kerr, Sarah Grainger, Adelaide Elliott-Joy, Stephanie Clark; plus countless Market Assistants and volunteers including Sheila Wollberg.
Board Members:
There have been countless Vendor and Community Board Members!
Accounting Services:
Barbara Werner, Sound Bookkeeping Services, 1998 - present
Graphic Design:
Double M Ranch Design 2010-2019, Ketchup and Mustard, 2020-present
Depot Market Committee (2004-2006):
Brian Griffin, John Blethen, Ken Bothman, Mary Dumas, Mike Finger, Lisa Meucci, Tara Sundin, Jesse Williams, Rick Wright
Entrepreneurial Spirit
These hardworking businesses started at BFM and now have their own stores. Look for them around Bellingham!
Ambo Ethiopian, Brandywine Kitchen, Erin Baker’s Wholesome Baked Goods, Evolve Chocolate, Ralf’s Bavarian Bakery
Longevity
A shout out to these businesses that have been providing high quality products to customers at Bellingham Farmers Market for 20-30 years!
Bellewood Acres (apples), Broad Leaf Farm (produce), Cleearian Berries (blueberries), Dona Flora (flower bouquets), Cedarville Farm (produce), Holmquist Hazelnuts, India Grill (India cuisine), Martin Family Orchards (stone fruit), McDowell Pottery, Mt Bakery (baked goods), Namaste Gardens (potted plants), One Heron Pond (pottery), Stillwaters Jewelry, Sunseed Farm (produce)
Community Support
We are proud of the connections we’ve built over time. Many local businesses support our BFM vendors by purchasing their products. Look for BFM vendor names on local restaurant menus and in storefronts today.