Growing season is in full swing, and with the season’s bounty, comes the annual Washington Farmers’ Market. The event has proved to be one that not only allows local growers and crafters to showcase and sell their goods, but it also has served as a great draw to the downtown Washington business district.

This year’s market started on April 30, and though not much has changed in the overall dynamic, the event did undergo a name change that Washington Harbor District Alliance Director Harold Robinson said was mainly a marketing decision. Formerly known as Saturday Market, the event is now known as Washington Farmers’ Market, due to a marketing partnership with WHDA and First South Bank — a big promoter and contributor to the program, according to Robinson.

For a little over a month now, area growers and those who bring handmade and home-cooked goods to the table have come together to give residents and visitors alike a look at some of what Beaufort County has to offer. Another positive addition to the market comes in the form of its new market manager, Brian Westcott, a recent graduate of Beaufort County Community College’s Agribusiness program.

Westcott brings multiple years of experience in farmers’ markets, as well as knowledge gained from the BCCC curriculum, to the mix, Robinson said.

“He’s done a tremendous job,” Robinson said. “I think he’s been doing it for the last two Saturdays, and I think it’s really gone great. The agribusiness degree is a huge help to us because he can relate to produce and retail.”

Robinson said prior to the season, a meeting of vendors provided valuable feedback in making the market even better than previous years. So far, around 15 vendors have been present each week, showcasing everything from produce to handmade jewelry.

The WHDA hopes to grow the market in the coming years to the scale of markets in other cities in the region, according to Robinson. Not only is there a realistic goal of hosting the market twice a week, but there is also a goal in sight for the WHDA to construct a permanent facility to house the vendors, Robinson said.

A few things remain certain regarding the market: the prime location allows for the highest volume of traffic; access to the Washington Dockmaster’s Station means there’s access to public restrooms, electricity hookup, ice and Wi-Fi, making it easier for vendors to keep perishable goods cool; and the market continues to be a good draw for the downtown business district, which was the primary reason the market was started to begin with, according to Robinson.

Last year, the market also started accepting payment through EBT (Electronic benefit transfer) and SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), which makes the market a USDA authorized retailer. Via a system of wooden market coins, patrons can swipe their cards in exchange for market money to use for purchases. However, SNAP cards can only be used to purchase food items.

“Anything we can do to attract people to our business district, like through the Farmers’ Market, then that’s what we want to do,” Robinson said. “I’ve found out going to conferences that you have to have a farmers’ market. That’s one of the four major functions that every successful downtown has is a farmers market. We need to keep (the market) growing.”

Gary Blount, a three-year vendor at the market, said the market is a great venue for those who wish to buy or sell locally handmade, homegrown or home-cooked goods.

Blount brings an old-fashioned element to the market in his canned goods, about which he gets much positive feedback from patrons, he said. Many of his customers tell him how his products remind them of how their grandmothers used to preserve fruits and vegetables, he said.

“The market is a great venue in a perfect location,” Blount said. “It’s just a great asset to the City of Washington. I have fallen in love with it.”

The Washington Farmers’ Market is located on Stewart Parkway along the Washington waterfront.