We want to thank you all for supporting the Central Kitsap Farmers Market (CKFM), its vendors, and sponsors for the past 4 years. It has been a pleasure serving the community as a venue for fresh local produce and artisan goods.  As you may know, the Central Kitsap Farmers Market is a program of the Kitsap Community & Agricultural Alliance (KCAA), a 501(c)3 Non-Profit.  The CKFM mission was in response to the community’s request to provide a centralized outlet for producers as well as an easily accessible market for all.   

As a member of the WA State Farmers Market Association (WSFMA), one of the required metrics is to maintain an average of 5 farmers per market throughout the season. We have been able to narrowly accomplish that since launching. The advent of COVID-19 had an immediate effect on the normal operations of farmers markets – farmers pivoted hard to be able to safely sell based on changing guidelines and many of them found ways to succeed with direct online sales, through online farmers markets, and with the Food Co-Op. COVID also kept a number of crafters and customers at bay, even after guidelines were relaxed.  All that, along with the struggle to continue to grow at a level that supports running the Market (Management team, insurance, fees, etc) has diminished the feasibility of continuing, so we will not be running the CKFM in 2021. While we will miss the camaraderie of a market day and seeing familiar faces, we do celebrate the tenacity of our local farmers and encourage you to seek them out. Please do reach out to us if you’re looking for a particular farmer or other vendor.

We have thoroughly enjoyed your friendship, partnership, and patronage over the past few years and will continue to work to support the agricultural community through our efforts as board members of the KCAA.

Best Wishes for 2021 and Beyond and Stay Safe,

Peggy Hall, Michelle Schmittler-Wilson, and Scott Hall

CKFM Management Team

On Behalf of the KCAA Board