Harvest Market: A celebration of local food, community and giving

Published 1:30 pm Friday, November 14, 2025

Special to the Reporter

The Mercer Island Farmers Market (MIFM) presents its annual Harvest Market from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Nov. 23 in its usual location next to Mercerdale Park.

This year’s market will feature more than 75 local vendors, festive activities and the debut of the Harvest Share Table, which is a community initiative ensuring everyone can take home something fresh and local for Thanksgiving.

At the Harvest Share Table, shoppers are encouraged to bring unexpired pantry goods from home or buy extra items from market vendors to donate right at the table. Anyone in need is welcome to take what they need, leave what they can — no questions asked.

“The Harvest Market is about abundance and community,” said Ange Garrett, market manager. “When we support our farmers and share with our neighbors, everyone wins. This season, we’re not just shopping local — we’re caring local.”

MIFM is partnering with St. Monica’s Catholic Church and Encounter Church to help extend the impact of the Harvest Share Table. These partners will collect remaining food and donations at the end of the day, delivering them to local food banks and community programs, alongside the market’s regular gleaning efforts from farmer vendors.

The market’s lineup includes farmers, food producers and artisans — including seven Mercer Island vendors — offering everything from seasonal produce to handcrafted gifts. Shoppers can stock up on Thanksgiving essentials, pre-order gluten-free pies for market-day pickup and place holiday tree orders while supporting small, local businesses from across Washington state. A limited number of pies will also be available for sale at the market, but pre-orders are encouraged.

While shopping, attendees can enjoy free hot cocoa and apple cider, stop by the Harvest Market photo booths, join a Holiday Craft Workshop hosted by Mercer Island’s own JustTwoMoms, and listen to live music by Zach Lombardo throughout the day. Milo the Market Gnome will be hiding and ready for kids to find him for a holiday prize, and the Stroum Jewish Community Center will host festive children’s activities.

For more information about pie orders, holiday tree orders and the Harvest Share Table, follow the Mercer Island Farmers Market on Instagram @MIFarmersMarket or email info@mifarmersmarket.org.