It has been nearly 10 years since Mare Lai came back to Bellevue from the East Coast after college, and one of her first careers in the entertainment world, discovering her roots again at the Bellevue Farmers Market. She reflects on her story of getting her role as a director, saying, “It was a testament to what the community could do.” It was not a job post that led her to this role, but her friends who introduced her to the opportunity. She expresses her appreciation for the strong connections made within the community. This year marks her second year as a Director at Bellevue Farmers Market, with her goal of “keeping everyone happy” and bringing people together through seasonal fresh produce in a city that has grown remarkably over the past years. 

Bellevue Farmers Market is an independent nonprofit organization run by grants from the city, fees from vendors, and donations from individuals and private corporations. What makes Bellevue Farmers Market even more unique is that it is “a community gathering place,” as Mare Lai points out. It is where the community gathers weekly in summer, in the fresh air, and bonds over live music produced by residents, food from local vendors, and fresh vegetables and ripe fruits from all across Washington State. 

At the market, she oversees marketing and development along with fundraising, finding sponsors, building strategies, and creating programming. Additionally, she is in charge of the social media platform, making efforts to raise awareness about the market. With a recent 40% increase in the number of followers, whom she now strives to translate into visitors, she established a new text alert system to remind them about the market. She hopes to increase awareness of the many varieties of berries, meats, eggs, and cherries available here that were picked at up to 20 farms just hours before coming to the market. 

There are more programs and attractions at the market, such as the Two Bites Challenge, where children are encouraged to have two bites of fruits and vegetables, each time receiving a token to try other fruits and vegetables. Mare points out that this helps them understand what it means to eat seasonally and to be conscious of the food they are eating. Community groups and student ensemble groups also contribute to the vibrant atmosphere of the marketplace. Community members all gather out in the evening to enjoy the summer weather, food, and each other’s company.

Amid all these cherished moments of joy, the Market fosters entrepreneurs who are just starting out with limited capital. The Market also bridges local ranchers, farmers, and fishermen with the community through fresh, nutritious vegetables and fruit they bring. People can find farm-fresh vegetables from Sedro-Woolley, tomatoes grown in Ellensburg, ripe berries from Skagit Valley, mushrooms from Yelm, and even Alaskan-caught salmon. As a result, the Market not only nurtures the community with seasonal fresh food but also creates a sustainable environment where the local producers can directly reach consumers within the community.

Mare also highlights special meanings that the Bellevue Farmers Market has for her family, saying, “It is where my mom meets my son and enjoys an ice cream cone together outside.” The market is where her mom also gets fresh food to take home and picks up berries for her son.

Mare describes Bellevue Farmers Market as “magical,” illustrating that the Market pops up in a little storage place every Thursday with dynamic energy. She especially relishes this live events aspect, as she can apply her past experiences in the entertainment world 10 years ago. She acknowledges how much work needs to be done outside of the Market to prepare for the season, including communicating with local farmers, community members, other nonprofit organizations, and directors of Farmers Markets in different states. She expresses her excitement at connecting with so many farmers across Washington State and the staff at Bellevue Farmers Market.

Expanding on her human connections made through her work at Bellevue Farmers Market, Mare also recognized how collaborative her community of Farmers Market directors is, which enables her to better serve her community. She participates in the Farmers Market National Conference periodically to share her strategies and learn from other directors across the nation. She recalls one time when she visited the Vancouver Farmers Market in Washington. “The director at the market shared a document full of strategies they had refined over the years and brainstormed ideas for the Bellevue Farmers Market,” she says. She truly values that the Farmers Market across the nation becomes “the network of resources for each other to better serve their immediate population.”

Mare deeply appreciates the community support for local produce and also more frequent visits. Lastly, she asks for more volunteers of all ages to join the energy and carry on the culture and tradition of the Market. 

Mark your calendar on summer Thursdays and come visit the Bellevue Farmers Market with your family, friends, and neighbors for fresh vegetables and lively music!