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Proctor Farmers' Market

Eat Fresh. Buy Local. build community.

regular season markets
every saturday: mar 25 - dec 16, 2023

9AM-2PM

winter Season Markets
2nd saturdays: jan 12, feb 10, mar 9, 2024

10AM-1PM

Proctor Farmers' Market Green Initiatives

The Proctor Farmers' Market strives to provide the community with fresh, locally grown farm products while providing area growers with a venue for their crops and products. In addition we seek to educate the public about the importance of local agriculture, sustainable business and the impact we have on the environment.

See below how we are working to make the Market more sustainable, by incorporating Green Initiatives.  

Proctor Farmers' Market & Sustainability: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Repurpose

“The earth is what we all have in common.”
Naturalist and writer, Wendell Berry
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Farmers Markets Promote Sustainability

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Zestful Gardens, Tacoma, WA
Farmers selling at markets minimize the amount of waste and pollution they create:
•Many markets sell organically labeled products, and many more sell chemical or pesticide-free labeled products.
•A 2015 survey of farmers selling at farmers markets showed that one in four farmers selling at farmers markets cultivate land that is protected from commercial development.
•Locally or regionally grown sourced produce travels about 27 times less distance than conventionally sourced produce.
•Four out of five discuss farming practices with their customers, educating them about farming and its interaction with the natural environment.

Source information - click on:  Farmers Market Coalition

Washington's Single Use Plastic Bag Ban



As of Oct 1. 2021 Vendors must comply with the new ‘Washington’s Single-Use Plastic Bag Ban”

The Market supports the ban with compliance, online education,  and sale of  reusable totes in the Market Info Booth.
  • For more information on this policy go to:
    • https://ecology.wa.gov/Waste-Toxics/Reducing-recycling-waste/Waste-reduction-programs/Plastics/Plastic-bag-ban
    • https://www.cityoftacoma.org/cms/one.aspx?pageId=79814
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Remember to 'Bring Your Own Bag' wherever you shop!

Proctor Farmers' Market - Food Banks



The Market supports a year-round   "Sustainable Management of Food' program  which  not only feeds people, but reduces food waste,
and  ultimately landfill waste.
  • During COVID-19 the weekly collections of unspoiled, leftover produce at the Market were suspended. 
 
  • We are currently looking for a new partner to work with us to collect donated food to help feed those in need. 
 
  • Please contact the Market Manager at pfmarket@proctorfarmersmarket.com if you are interested in participating in this important program during the 2023/Winter 2024 Market Season.

Proctor Farmers' Market - Vinyl Banner Repurposing

  • Used Market vinyl advertising banners are delivered to Tinkertopia, a Tacoma 'Creative Reuse Center,' and made into totes, games, and other creative items.
  • The environmental advantages of repurposing vinyl banners are: *
    1. Energy Reduction - eliminates the need to make materials from scratch.
    2. Reduces solid waste, as less trash is going to landfills.
    3. Reduces our Carbon Footprint - when Tinkertopia reuses our materials.
    4. Reduces the use of virgin materials - the items created at Tinkertopia, can be upcycled when no longer in use, reducing use of new materials.
*Source: Relan-Environmental Benefits of Repurposing Vinyl Banners and Billboards - Part 2
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Proctor Farmers' Market - Recycling & Solid Waste

One of the many ways the Market helps to reduce waste in landfills is by sorting solid waste as per the City of Tacoma’s current program. 
Below are some steps we take to dispose of garbage, recycling, and food waste generated by the Market:
Step 1 - Customers dispose of waste in one of three clearly marked 'Zero Waste' receptacles found throughout the Marketplace:
  1. Trash
  2. Recycling
  3. Compost
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Signage clearly describes what can be disposed of in each bin (shown below):
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Step 2 - Market waste is then emptied into appropriate containers by staff for commercial disposal:
City of Tacoma:
Vegetable/plant waste (from Vendors): Brown Bin
Trash: Green Bin
Recycling: Blue Bin
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City of Tacoma 'Brown Waste,'Trash,' and 'Recycling' Bins
Step 3 - Cedar Grove:
All "Compost Only' food waste and compostable food container waste is emptied into a specially marked bin and collected by Cedar Grove, and then processed into compost rather than disposed of as trash and shipped to landfills.
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Cedar Grove Bin

Additional Resources:

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photo from: City of Tacoma's "Preventing Food Waste"
City of Tacoma: Preventing Food Waste
City of Tacoma: BYOB (Bring Your Own Bag) - (no thin, plastic checkout bags  as of July 12, 2017).
Farmers Market Coalition: Farmers Markets Promote Sustainability

Proctor Farmers' Market - Repair, Reuse

The Market utilizes a great many items, with working parts, that need constant repair. 
We try to repair before we replace.  Items beyond repair are then recycled where or when appropriate.
Jack Sommer does double duty as both our bookkeeper and repair person who can fix almost anything.
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Jack Sommer

Proctor Farmers' Market - Saving Resources

By maximizing the use of the Market’s resources to process vendor applications, deliver vendor checks via direct deposit, and email targeted digital marketing flyers, we work to save trees, cut down on the use of fossil fuels, and help the environment and atmosphere:
•MarketWurks Online Vendor Application
•Direct Deposit of Vendor Checks
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Online Vendor Application
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Direct Deposit of Vendor Checks

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PFM Statement of inclusivity

The Proctor Farmers’ Market strives to be a welcoming, inclusive and safe space for all people to enjoy.  We celebrate and respect the diversity, ideas and cultures of our customers, vendors, staff, and visitors including people of all races, ethnicities, national origins, immigration status, ages, range of abilities, sexes, sexual orientation, gender identities, religious beliefs, financial means, education, and political perspectives.

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  • Home
  • What's Fresh
  • Events, Music, Food Demos
  • EBT & SNAP Market Match
  • Vendors
    • Sponsor, Volunteer, Kids & Community Booth Info
  • About Us
    • Merchandise
  • Green Initiatives