Farmer’s Markets near Joint Base Lewis-McChord
It’s unbelievable how many Farmers Markets there are in our area. We are so spoiled to have such good options for fresh produce! We have quite a few to choose from so I’m going to give you the down low on each of them. Just remember, the travel times from base listed are approximate.
Olympia Farmers Market
Approx. 21 mins from JBLM
Thursday – Sunday 10 am-3 pm
The Olympia Farmers Market is right by the waterfront in downtown Olympia. It’d be a great start to your day before you explore the rest of Olympia. The market is open longer than your typical market: Thursday through Sunday, 10 am to 3 pm. There are quite a few vendors of produce, baked goods, handmade items, pastries, and plenty of plants. You can also find some quick bite restaurants located in the front by the parking lot. My favorite item to get is the vanilla frosted shortbread cookie at San Francisco Street Bakery. Trust me, it will be the best $1 you’ve ever spent. I’ll give Olympia Farmers Market 3 out of 5 stars. It’s a small market but it still has everything you need!
For more info about the Olympia Farmer’s Market, click here.
Puyallup Farmers Market
Approx. 20 mins from JBLM
Saturdays 9 am to 2 pm
This is the biggest Farmers Market I’ve ever been to, and I’ve visited a lot! There is so much to choose from it’s easy to get overwhelmed. I went opening day and it was very crowded. All types of food, baked goods, apparel, jewelry, wood products, produce, etc etc etc. I got quite a few things if I’m being honest. I give the Puyallup Farmers Market 5 out of 5 stars, it is my favorite Market in the area. Even better, there is a large playground and a splash pad so send Dad to watch the kids play while you shop!
For more info on the Puyallup Farmer’s Market, click here.
Broadway Farmers Market – Tacoma
Approx. 20 mins from JBLM
Thursdays 10am to 3pm
This Market is a pretty popular stop for people in the city to grab lunch. For that reason, there were tons of food trucks and food vendors. The Market runs on Thursday from 10am to 3pm in downtown Tacoma on Broadway Street. There were only about three fresh fruit and veggie vendors, a handful of other vendors with plants and jewelry and at least five soap sellers. This market is smaller than Olympia’s. All of the food trucks smelled amazing, so it would be hard to choose, but you have tons of options.
For more information on the Broadway Farmer’s Market, click here.
Steilacoom Farmers Market
Approx. 18 mins from JBLM
Wednesdays 3-7 pm
I was pleasantly surprised at the Steilacoom market! I think it’s great to have the Market on a Wednesday so that it varies for Market days in the area. The Farmers Market is located in the middle of town, inside the tennis courts and on the surrounding streets. There is a good selection of food trucks and tents if you’re wanting to grab dinner. You can find a few of those gorgeous flower arrangements for cheap, some small fresh produce tents, and quite a few hand made gift items.
There weren’t any baked goods when we went which was a little disappointing (I’m all about the baked sweets), however, there was a fresh nut butter and granola vendor worth visiting. Hearth Food and Goods has free samples of their fresh ground nut butters and granola. We grabbed a container of the Walnut Maple Butter. Wow, it’s unlike any other nut butter that I’ve ever tasted and has a really good texture. Visit the park at the end of the market after, the view is breathtaking.
For more info on the Steilacoom Market, click here.
Proctor Farmers Market – Tacoma
Approx. 24 mins from JBLM
Saturdays 9 am-2 pm
I love the Proctor area! It’s such a cute quaint town with lots to explore. The Farmers Market has a good variety and is medium size. Not as big as Olympia but not as small as Broadway. There is a good variety of vendors here from fresh produce to flowers, salsa and baked items, to fresh meat and seafood. There were two different food truck type places so it’s not food truck central like some of the others. There are some great flower vendors starting as low as $8/bouquet. The Sourdough Artisan Breads tent has some of the most delicious bread. We got a breakfast roll and I’m not sure what all was in it but it was big, juicy, sweet, doughy, and delicious. Some really good prices for plants, we got three corn stalk starter plants for $1.50. You can also get fresh oysters, clams, beef, and lamb. You have to stop by the Finn River booth. They have wine made from apples (Cider) and they are delicious. Free samples for 21+!
For more info on the Proctor Market, click here.
Point Ruston Farmers Market – Tacoma
Approx. 27 mins from JBLM
Sundays 10 am-3 pm
Point Ruston is a really fun area for walking, to let the kids play, and is most known for all the restaurants and shopping. This upscale outdoor mall has the most amazing view and is filled with fun. The market is a decent size and has a good selection of vendors. I will say you won’t really find food trucks at this one, they just can’t compete with all the other restaurants here.
There were more hand made items and craft type vendors than anything else. Do yourself a favor and don’t count calories. You need a cinnamon roll. They are massive and range from $6-8 for flavors like strawberry cream cheese, Nutella, and sticky bun. We got the Nutella and OMG. There was also a gal with homemade bread and pastries. We got the Gluten Free Honey Oat bread, blueberry lemon cake, and a chocolate chip cookie…I could’ve bought one of everything and they were all yummy.
For more info on the Point Ruston Market, click here.
Lakewood Farmers Market
Approx. 13 mins from JBLM
Tuesdays 10 am-3 pm
Here is a great central location for a Farmer’s Market! The Lakewood Farmers Market takes place in front of City Hall in the Lakewood Town Center. Lakewood Town Center has all your shopping needs like Target, Marshalls, Ross, Old Navy, and more.
This market isn’t big but they have a good selection of vendors. There are a few fresh produce vendors to choose from, popcorn, handmade items, fresh flowers, baked goods, as well as a handful of food trucks. My favorite vendor was Reeds Sweet Wine. I am not a “wino” but this was sweet sweet sweet so right up my alley. They have two different samples available each week from their 20+ varieties. I got the Huckleberry Pineapple and the Pinot Gris.
For more info about the Lakewood Market, click here.
Tacoma Night Market
Approx. 17 mins from JBLM
First Friday every month 5-10 pm
Okay so this isn’t a Farmers Market, but I thought it was neat so I wanted to share it. Once a month you can go to the Tacoma Night Market downtown. There’s no produce, it’s all hand made items, food, baked goods, oh and alcohol. If drinking is your thing, this is the place where you can shop and drink at the same time. There is also live music throughout the night. While I did see a few kids present, I personally wouldn’t bring mine.
For more info on the Tacoma Night Market, click here.
Finding the fun everywhere life takes us!
Love, Olivia Michelle
