There are openings for more businesses to sign up for the Raymond Farmers Market (RFM), which opens Friday from 2:00-7:00 p.m. along the grassy area in front of the Northwest Carriage Museum in historic downtown Raymond. The event, under the direction of RFM Manager Denise Spaman, is scheduled to take place every Friday from June 4 through September 24.
Some of the businesses lined up for the season are Pacific Seafood, Goosepoint Oysters, Timeless Talismans, Self Care with Sonya, Luna Elementals, Sugar Rush Boutique, Sprout & Roost Edible Landscape Nursery, Pure Forks Creek Farm & Produce, and Harbor Eden Farms.
Assisting Spaman with the Raymond Farmers market are Della Hale, Jeff Karnatz, Paul Stazel, Lisa Schneider Stephens and Katie Auble.
"We are looking for volunteers to help with the weekly market," Spaman said. "The duties will vary...helping vendors set up and tear down, general maintenance of the public site, and other various duties."
Sponsors include Willapa Lavender Farm, Timeless Talismans and Alder & Co.
"We invite all to sponsor this great community building event," Spaman said. "We are so excited and honored to be able to host this event in Raymond. We look forward to many years of serving the community."
Spaman went on to say that the Raymond Farmer's Market "is a catalyst for the county's most prosperous, healthy and sustainable food system" where "food producers thrive and expand and all residents have access to farm fresh food."
More Businesses Welcome
The cost for booth prices is $20 weekly or $225 or advanced payment for the season.
"We are always looking for businesses to join our market," Spaman said. "Our categories are as follows: Farmers, one who raises the produce, plants, or animals that they sell at RFM on land they own or lease/rent in Pacific County (and) processors, one who sells processed foods that they have personally prepared on their own or lease/rented property dependent on local health regulations and requirements."
"Processors are persons or entities offering fresh food products (such as meats, seafood, ciders, baked goods, jams, etc.) that have added value to their product through some sort of 'hands-on' processing (e.g., hand filleted fish, smoked or butcher meats, handmade candies, etc.)."
"Resellers, one who buys produce from farmers outside of Pacific County within the State of Washington trucks it to the RFM and resells it directly to the consumer."
"Artisan/craftsperson, artisans and crafters are persons or entities who craft with their own hands the products they offer for sale at the RFM. To qualify as an artisan or crafter, the applicant must possess a majority of the tools and equipment used to produce their products, and creation of the product must require skills, personal handling and/or guidance by the crafter.
"Processed Food Vendors (Concessionaires), prepared food vendors offer freshly made foods, available for sale and immediate consumption on-site at the RFM."
To receive an application, text Spaman at 509-859-5875.
More musicians are also needed to perform at the event. For more information and applications, text Spaman at 509-859-5875.
RFM Mission
Spaman said the mission of the RFM is to operate world class farmers markets that contribute to the success of local food growers and producers, craftspeople and create vibrant community gatherings."
According to Spaman, there are several values associated with the Raymond Farmers Market, including:
- Nourishment: food is the heart and soul of our lives. Access to fresh nutritious food is a foundation for health and human dignity.
- Sustainability: our markets and operations model social, economic and ecological sustainability.
- Relationships: positive personal connections and cooperation underlie our contributions to the community.
- Excellence: by combining innovation and industriousness we achieve our best while making farmer's markets fun, functional and beautiful.
- Organizational Integrity: we maintain financial strength and professional fulfillment in a lively team environment.
- Authenticity & Transparency: we are accountable to our shoppers by requiring our vendors to produce and source what they sell with integrity.
RFM Contact Info
Mailing address: Raymond Farmers Market, c/o Alder & Co. 312 Alder Street, Raymond, 98577,
Facebook: Raymond Farmers Market,
Email: RaymondFarmersMarket@hotmail.com,
Phone: 509-859-5875.
Spaman Owns a
Business in Raymond
Spaman is the owner/operator of Timeless Talismans, located at 312 Duryea Street in Raymond. The phone number is 509-859-5875 and it is on Facebook. She can also be reached by emails at timelesstalismans@gmail.com.
"I have a small store in downtown Raymond that has been closed for the last year due to COVID but also sell my jewelry online," Spaman said.
Spaman reopened the business last weekend. Regular hours are Thursday, Friday and Saturdays from noon to 5 pm.
"My store is filled with hand created jewelry and gifts, made by myself, that are accompanied with an Affirmation for Positive living. I also carry gifts from local crafters, minerals, mermaids and do Reiki healings by appointment. Classes (jewelry creating etc.) will be starting up in July on Saturdays and or Sundays. I will have a list at the store and on my Facebook page."
Spaman and her husband, Morgan, moved to Raymond 2½ years ago from the Tri-Cities.
"We were looking for a small, friendly community to retire," she said. "We believe we have found it in Raymond. We both have traveled a lot for our jobs and fell in love with the Pacific Northwest when Morgan was offered a job at Hanford. We explored the state and fell in love with Pacific County. Moving to Raymond was the best thing we have ever done for ourselves."
Spaman has a bachelor of arts degree in English Literature from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. "I have used this degree in a variety of ways," she said. "My career path has been one of many curves, formerly, I have been a professional high diver and Women's World Record Holder on ABC Wide World of Sports.
"My travels performing around the world allowed me to learn from many cultures both inside the USA and abroad," Spaman said.
Spaman has had several other occupations during her lifetime, including being a waitress, bartender, restaurant manager, public auto auction manager, auction manager for a large firm on the East Coast, English teacher and residential supervisor at Falcon Ridge School in Utah and contract manager for a large construction company in California. "I believe they all led me to my current position as jewelry designer and stone storyteller at Timeless Talismans."