BLOGS

Frequent visitors to the Wenatchee Valley Farmers Market last year couldn’t help but notice that something was different at the 32-year-old bazaar.

More vendors, more variety, more energy, more homegrown squashes than you could shake a spatula at.

Take note ... none of that happened by accident.

Market Manager Jennifer Wiecking (and others) worked hard for two years to iron out differences among vendors, customers and civic leaders, attract more hands-on activities and fine-tune the music and food offerings to turn the market — sputtering just a few years ago — into one of the state’s best.

And the efforts paid off. Last weekend, Wiecking was named Manager of the Year by the Washington State Farmers Market Association at their annual conference at Sleeping Lady Mountain Resort in Leavenworth.

Wiecking, 45, topped managers from more than 110 markets statewide — some small, some huge — in what was, for her, a surprise announcement. “Someone told me I had been nominated,” said Wiecking, “I thought, “Wow, that’s really great,’ but otherwise didn’t give it much thought.”

On top of that, Wiecking said she was carpooling that day and running late. So she missed the announcement and presentation. Co-honchos from the market accepted the award in her absence.

“It’s definitely an honor to be chosen,” said Wiecking. “And I love the exposure it gives to our market and community and the farmers that provide us with so much good stuff.”

The honor follows efforts by the market staff, said Wiecking, “to focus more on what the customer wants, to listen for what they’re asking for, and make sure they’re seeing new booths and activities almost every week.”

Last year, that meant more food processors of meat, cheese and other farm-raised products were on-site, said the manager. “It’s something people had been asking for these last few years.”:

And, generally, the market hosted more vendors than ever in 2011. An average of about 65 set up shop on a weekly basis, with more — maybe 70 — expected to participate this year.

More vendors and better sales also pushed gross receipts up about 31 percent to hit $343,000, said the manager. The market also showed huge growth — now ranked 15th in the state — for income from vouchers issued by the state’s Women, Infants and Children (WIC) nutrition program.

With all this growth, isn’t the market site at the corner of North Columbia and Palouse streets getting a little crowded?

“Yes,” laughed Wiecking. “We’re bursting at the seams. It’s the first year we’ve had a waiting list of vendors eager to join us.”

She added, “But we’re striving for balance in what we offer. We’re carefully choosing who sets up shop to give the customer the best shopping experience.”

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