Gold Bar resident responds to criticism with farmers market

Gold Bar resident Rosalyn Santerre wanted to create a positive force in the community, and she believed a brand new farmers market would be the perfect way to do it.

So she decided to make it happen.

Ongoing since Sunday, April 3, the Gold Bar Farmers Market takes place 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Sunday in downtown Gold Bar, across the street from the Wallace Falls Caf+¬ alongside U.S. 2. The fledgling market, which features fresh eggs, flowers, produce, live music and hand-crafted items by local vendors, is continuing to grow each week as it becomes more established. It was initially set up at the gazebo across from Gold Bar City Hall, but after a few weeks Santerre decided to move it to the south side of U.S. 2, in order to increase its visibility and attract more guests.

Santerre was inspired to create the market after observing a plethora of negativity on Gold Bar's community-based social media pages.

"I decided that maybe if we took pride in our town, made a weekly event that included everyone, became a presence in our valley instead of a sleepy town, there might be some positive change,GÇ¥ Santerre said. "And what better thing than a Sunday market, where people could buy local goods and sell them as well?GÇ¥

While often created with good intentions, community pages on social media are far too quick to become cesspools of negativity. The problem with that, Santerre said, is until something happens to break the cycle, all that negativity feeds itself, breeding even more negativity. She decided a new farmers market would be the perfect mechanism to interrupt that trajectory.

Her first market in April was held with two vendors. As of Sunday, May 15, it boasted more than 10. Sunday's market was dedicated to firefighter outreach, as Santerre and several of her vendors collected nearly $250 in donations for the Gold Bar fire department as they continued to fight the wildfire east of Gold Bar.

Recent weeks have featured live music, as Santerre has invited local musicians to help create a gathering place where everyone is welcome.-á

"I figured music would be a nice backdrop to the market, so people could come and sit and relax, even if they didn't have money to buy stuff,GÇ¥ Santerre said. "It also gives our locals a chance to play some tunes and let their voices be heard.GÇ¥

In addition to creating community, the market supports local farmers by providing them with the opportunity to showcase their products, said Santerre.

Down to Earth Farm, located on Mann Road near Sultan, has offered fresh herbs, vegetable starts, duck eggs, loose spinach and more at the market. Down to Earth Farm is a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) facility operated by Jeff and Molli Kyle, former Gold Bar residents who moved to the Sultan area in 2012 to start their farm. Jeff uses sustainable farming methods to grow pesticide- and herbicide-free fruits and vegetables, which are available to his customers on a subscription basis.

Scottish Thistle Farm owners Jody and Tiffany Kerr have offered a continuous supply of fresh eggs, straight from their farm in between Monroe and Sultan on the south side of U.S. 2. The Kerrs moved to Washington from Arizona in June 2014 to start their farm, and are experimenting with permaculture techniques as they work to establish their own organic CSA facility.-á

Monroe-based Sweet Luck Farm has featured a dazzling array of fresh-cut spring flowers in an assortment of shapes and colors. Sweet Luck Farm owners Jason and Elise Luck are self-professed "flower farmers,GÇ¥ specializing in all types, including tulips, anemones and ranunculus.

For market guests interested in grabbing a quick bite to eat, locally-owned and operated Atsuki's Food Truck has been known to stop by. Atsuki's mobile vending service provides hot meals with an Asian flair, including sushi, bacon fried rice and teriyaki chicken bowls.

Other items featured at the market have included soaps, lotions and gifts from the Bouncing Broomstick, miniature gardens and flower starts from Fancy Fronds Nursery and hand-crafted stuffed animals by Yarnia Creations.-á

So far, Santerre is happy with the way things have turned out, and is looking forward to watching the market continue to evolve and grow. People are showing up and are having a great time, she said.

"They're talking to one another and they're spending time with one another and there's music and laughter,GÇ¥ Santerre said.

Santerre is looking for additional musicians, vendors and volunteers. The vendor fee is $10, and applications are available at Gold Bar City Hall and the Visitors Information Center in Sultan.

For more information on the Gold Bar Farmers Market, visit www.facebook.com/goldbarfarmersmarket.-á -á