Seattle's Year-Round Neighborhood-Scale Farmers Markets: A Study of Inclusivity

Abstract

Farmers markets exist across the country, providing healthy and local food to their customers. These spaces can help to boost local agricultural economies, provide social gathering places, foster connections with farmers who grow the food being purchased, and act as a way to support environmentally sound agricultural practices. Seattle has an extensive network of farmers markets that aim to advocate for low-income benefits that increase food access, as well as support and strengthen Washington’s small farms and educate consumers on both the health and economic benefits of supporting local agriculture. However, existing literature suggests that farmers markets may not be serving the populations who need them the most. The question this thesis aims to address is: what are Seattle’s year-round, neighborhood-scale farmers markets doing to be inclusive community spaces, and what could they do to be more inclusive? To examine the inclusivity of these markets, evaluation criteria were developed and used to observe Seattle’s Ballard Market, Capitol Hill Market, University District Market, and West Seattle Market. For further research, interviews were conducted with the Operations Manager of Seattle Farmers Market Association, the Executive Director of Seattle Neighborhood Farmers Markets, and a Director of Root of All Roads. This information was used to highlight current practices that increase inclusivity, and to develop recommendations for increasing the inclusivity of Seattle’s four year-round, neighborhood-scale markets. Some of these recommendations include: using multi-language signage, increasing or changing the operating hours of the markets, partnering with Seattle Housing Authority, and expanding the educational component of the markets.