snoqualmie river valley farm tour: last weekend

we know that this is a little late, but last weekend we took some time to partake in the festivities of the snoqualmie river valley farm tour. washington state university and a bunch of farms partner together to open the farms to the public for tours, demonstrations, edibles, music, and good-old-fashioned-family fun. we hit up about a half dozen farms and had a blast!

full circle farm is a certified organic farm that supplies a lot of the
seattle-area high-end restaurants with amazing fresh produce.

here you can read more about the historic hjertoos farm. the barn is
currently being restored and was opened for tours.

jubilee farm: nothing says fall like a wagon full of pumkins.

we looked out to the clouds, surveying the fields that surrounded us,
and quietly dreamed about how nice it would be to have this
area to wander at our leisure.

meet you at the market

every tuesday during the summer months, renton puts on a downtown farmer's market, bringing in fresh, organic food from local farms and orchards around the area. it is located right across the street from our apartment in the downtown piazza, and is something we both look forward to throughout our week.

look at this stuff! how can we resist?


peaches from a local orchard


a beautiful bouquet like this costs only $5, and the smell of those star-gazer lillies fills our apartment each week with an incredible aroma.


each new week brings a fresh performance. here: a men's choir.


an older gentleman picking out the perfect ear of corn.


a small overview of the hustle and bustle of this small town farmer's market...


...on a cloudless sunny day.


some seasonal veggies


jay here, working his 'pluot' madness. ok...who here has heard of a pluot? they're amazing. 50% plum, 50% apricot.....100% delicious! jay's father owns the tiny's orchard in wenatchee, wa. hopefully we'll make it out there for a 'pick-your-own' apple fest.


these have been the best raspberries i've had in my life.


more veggies


kids play in the (manmade) stream that cuts through the piazza.

why shop at your local farmer's market? here are a few reasons:
1. all the food tastes great!
2. helps support your local farmers
3. builds community
4. you have the opportunity to personally meet the one growing your food
5. a lot of times it's cheaper than shopping at your local grocer.
6. you're eating 100% healthy, organic, and sustainable food
7. have you heard about all the (non-edible) crap we take into our bodies when we eat crops that are grown conventionally? it will make you sick. check out Cindy Burke's, 'to buy or not to buy organic.' it's a great book.

click here if you're looking for farms, restaurants and stores that offer fresh, sustainable food in your area.