Orting Valley Farmers Market Coming This Summer

Ever since Orting’s Saturday Market dwindled, local residents have been yearning for their very own farmers market.

The wait is finally over, according to Orting Valley Farmers Market organizer and market manager Patty Villa.

Unlike the former Saturday Market, which was set up like a flea market by volunteers, Villa said the new structure will be focused strictly on farmers market and local producers from the state of Washington or within Pierce County.

“It takes a lot of time to put a market together and put in the time necessary to recruit vendors and all that work,” she said. “It’s being rebooted, reworked, and it’s actual farmers market this time through.”

According to Villa, the community has been very vocal about bringing a farmers market to Orting.

“We did a couple of surveys, and they came back saying strongly that they want a farmers’ market,” she said.

Villa said she has been recruiting local farmers to participate since last fall and currently has about 14 vendors lined up and hopes to have 20 to 30 by this summer. She also added that the market would be providing free space for the vendors.

“It’s not going to be giant like Puyallup because we’re just not that huge of a community, but it’s going to be a fine quality farmers market,” Villa said.

The market will be held every Friday from 3-7 p.m. at North Park off Highway 162 starting June 21 through Aug. 30. Villa said the market season may be extended, weather permitting.

In addition to fresh produce, the market will feature food vendors, meat producers and educational opportunities with guest speakers focusing on healthy lifestyles.

For more information on the Orting Valley Farmers Market, contact Patty Villa at ortingvalleyfarmersmarket@yahoo.com.