Clayton Farmers Market Prepares for Season Opening

The Clayton Farmers Market at the Clayton Fairgrounds kicks off on June 7, starting off several months of weekly access to local produce, plants, and crafts. Market organizer Stephanie Littrell, a local farmer, said she usually has between 19- 25 vendors each week. Littrell said market rules are strict in that everything sold at the market has to be local, sourced from Spokane, Stevens, Ferry, or Pend Oreille counties. “It has to be locally grown, locally raised or locally made,” she said. Those restrictions mean people shouldn’t expect to see things at the market that are not in season locally, Littrell said. Some things, such as tomatoes and sweet corn, will be featured at the market later in the season, while items such as strawberries will be available earlier. “Because it’s local and it’s been such a weirdo year, I’m not sure what will be ready,” she said. Littrell said the market’s usual vendors also include a fair amount of non-produce items. Regulars include a coffee company, woodworkers, soap makers, quilters, and other crafters. She said the line-up hasn’t been finalized because she doesn’t require early sign-ups. Though early sign-ups are not required, Littrell said if a vendor is completely new to the market they should call her in advance to ask if what they are selling is allowed. The market has to follow various restrictions set by the local health department, such as those regulating baked goods, and it’s up to each vendor to make sure they have the proper licenses and permits, Littrell said. “There’s been some talk about new vendors coming,” she said. “I’m always accepting new vendors. There’s room for everybody.” Littrell said many of the vendors have been coming to the market for years and often help each other load and unload their cars. “We’re a different kind of market,” she said. “We’re kind of a family group.” The vendor fees collected go to the Clayton Fairgrounds, which the market uses, according to Littrell. In year’s past, the money has purchased tables, chairs, gravel and new siding on the floral building. “I don’t charge very much, so we don’t make a lot,” she said. Littrell has been in charge of the farmer’s market since 2017. She had already been involved for several years because her children sold items there. Littrell said she wasn’t sure she could fit it in her long days spent running her farm and milking the family dairy cows, but accepted the job anyway. “The people that were originally managing it were our neighbors,” she said. She said she has her own booth selling produce at the market, though often someone else will watch her booth while she takes pictures and prepares Facebook posts highlighting what vendors have available that week. The market used to allow the sale of small animals, such as chickens, but that has fallen by the wayside, largely because of various rules and regulations surrounding livestock, Littrell said. She noted that animals must be kept well away from food, including produce, and require shade. “We used to be a lot more into that,” she said. “Most everybody is getting them some- where else. We have to be very careful of viruses and diseases.” The market also has a few bonuses, she said. There’s often a table of free items, plus books available to those who want to take one or trade one. There’s also a table full of recipes for those who might need ideas on how to cook the produce or herbs they’re buying. The recipes are old enough that some of them call for Oleo, a century-old name for margarine. “These are the old, old recipes,” she said. “These are from the Grange ladies.” The market is scheduled to be open every Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. through the end of September at the fairgrounds, located at 4616 Wallbridge Road in Clayton. The market also scheduled to be open during the Clayton Fair.