The beloved Federal Way Farmers Market will continue under new ownership this year, in an announcement shared at the special Federal Way City Council meeting on Jan. 7.

Founded by Rose Ehl, the farmers market has been a community staple on Saturdays through the summer for the past 21 years.

When Ehl began to explore retiring from the market, she and the city both wanted the legacy to continue. The Ehl family worked with Mayor Jim Ferrell and police advisor Bill Vadino to come to an arrangement.

The city will take over the ownership of the market this year, starting officially on Feb. 1. An ad hoc committee made up of people who have been involved in the market over the years will plan the next steps after this year’s transition period.

Rose Ehl’s daughter, Karla Kolibab, has been an essential part of the Federal Way Farmers Market operation for years. Now that the market is owned by the city, she will continue to support the market through managing vendor relationships, this time as a seasonal part-time city employee. Parks employees will support setup and tear-down each week, taking the burden of that responsibility off of Kolibab.

Vadino shared that the market will be revenue-neutral for the city due to income and sponsorship of the market. They will take over ownership of all of the physical supplies such as tents and tables, which will save on the cost of purchasing the items new.

Next steps for the new arrangement start with a detailed review of equipment at the next parks committee meeting on Jan. 14. The ad hoc advisory group will also meet soon.

Same location

The market will continue in the same location, in the Commons Mall parking lot, located at 1701 South 320th Street in Federal Way.

The market has grown over the years and now has many special partnerships as well as businesses that got their start on those summer Saturdays at the market.

“When I started the farmers market, I wanted it to be a community market, and that’s what we’ve developed it into,” Ehl told the Mirror. When asked about a highlight from the past 21 years, she said: “I’m very proud of the Taste of Federal Way, you know, being so successful, and I know that the city wants to carry on that tradition.”

Bill Vadino assured the council and the audience that the Taste of Federal Way would continue, along with a produce sponsorship that distributes $10,000 worth of produce to seniors and children.

The annual Federal Way’s Got Talent contest run by Vickie Chynoweth will also continue, as will other partnerships and themed events.

These partnerships are just one way that the market has become essential to the Federal Way community over the years.

“One of the things that the farmers market does is it helps build community, and building community is one of the most important things,” Councilmember Jack Walsh said in response to the announcement of the transition of ownership. “I commend Rose and her husband and daughter for the great job that they have done in doing that. And I’m so delighted that it will continue on, and I think that with the support of the city, we can grow it into even bigger things.”

Councilmember Lydia Assefa-Dawson also commented on the benefit of the market to the community, and she reminisced over being present when the seed of the market’s beginnings began.

“Rose and I were in Advancing Leadership, in 2003 I believe, when you pitched this idea, and I’m so happy that you went ahead and did it,”Assefa-Dawson said to Ehl during the meeting.

Assefa-Dawson added that although that leadership class did not invest in the farmers market idea, “Rose’s tenacity and her energy, I guess, is what has gotten it started and still here…I’m so happy that it’s part of Federal Way.”

Peppers were plentiful at the Federal Way Farmers Market on Saturday, Sept. 14. The market runs 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays through October at The Commons mall parking lot. Photo by Bruce Honda

Heaps of bright produce were on display at the Federal Way Farmers Market on Saturday, June 29. Photo by Bruce Honda.

Barbecue and hot sauce were one of the many delicious items for sale at the Federal Way Farmers Market on Saturday, June 29. Photo by Bruce Honda.

Rose Ehl, Dave Ehl and Karla Kolibab, founders of the Federal Way Farmers Market, accepted a Key to the City from Mayor Jim Ferrell. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / The Mirror