ARLINGTON – The Arlington Farmers Market was presented with the honor of America’s Favorite Small Market during a Harvest Dinner on Wednesday, Oct. 24 at the Wild Rose Bistro. Dennis Canty, the Pacific Northwest Director of American Farmland Trust, presented a commemorative plaque naming the Arlington farmers market as America’s Favorite Small Market, following the organization’s annual contest to determine which farmers’ markets can rally the most support from their community and collects votes from market lovers. Markets were judged in their size category: small, medium, mid-sized, and large.

Dennis Canty, of American Farmland Trust, presented a commemorative plaque to market organizers and sisters Audrey Houston and Samantha Schuller. COURTESY PHOTO

Started by Mark and Patricia Lovejoy, of Garden Treasures, the market was turned over to sisters Audrey Houston and Samantha Schuller. The market has doubled in size and revenue, featuring about 13 vendors and receiving 800 visitors per day.

“The Arlington Farmers’ Market is led by a grassroots, volunteer-run organization in the small town in northwestern Washington state. They hand-paint sandwich boards with directions to the market, attend city meetings to cultivate a presence in the community, and they look everywhere–even their own kids’ rooms–for books to read at a story time in the park,” the Farmland Report stated.

The Harvest Dinner, also held on Food Day, was also supported by local businesses including Garden Treasures, Wild Rose Bistro and Catering, Misty Mountains Farms and Cheese Cake Ever After.

For more information about the Arlington Farmers Market, visit http://arlingtonfarmersmarket.blogspot.com/. The group’s next event will be the 2nd annual Handmade Holiday show featuring local artisans offering handmade gifts, on Saturday, Dec. 1 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Vendor applications are available on their website.