SPOKANE — A new, year-round farmers market is slated to open in the spring of 2025 on the Spokane Conservation District grounds, part of plans for the district to become a larger community resource.

“Spokane does not have a permanent location for a farmers market, or a year-round farmers market, for that matter,” district director Vicki Carter said during an open house presentation.

The conservation district moved into the former rock quarry and asphalt plant in 2021.

An existing building — the historic quarry scale house — remained on site, 18 feet wide by 160 feet long. 

The district used it for storage and floated various uses for the space.

The project

The proposed Spokane Scale House Market and Kitchen will have space for 23 vendors; a commercial kitchen, to be used as a learning kitchen with value-added processing; and walk-in cold and freezer storage.

An outdoor area for an open-air market will include space for 30 vendors, five food trucks and a stage.

The state legislature in April awarded the district $750,000 in initial funding.

The project is in phase one, with the district obtaining engineering and construction drawings, Carter said. 

The district seeks a total of $2.3 million, including another request for $1.5 million in state funding. The district will raise additional money through donations, sponsorships, memberships, vendor rent and private and federal grants. 

The project is designed to enhance farmers market vendor opportunities, Carter said.

“It’s going to provide more of an established, consistent, longer-season market that’s much needed,” said Seth Walser, funding specialist for Four Roots, a Spokane food hub. He is also a board member of the Upper Columbia Resource Conservation and Development District and a former farmers market vendor. “This vision is unique in that it’s truly farmer-focused.” 

A destination

The district hopes to develop the entire site into a “destination” community resource, providing education about conservation and food resiliency and security, Carter said.

“It’s much bigger than just a market, it’s much bigger than just Spokane Conservation District, it’s a community,” she said. “This particular property is so unique and significant in terms of its geology and hydrology, it’s a treasure.” 

A Community Economic Revitalization Board feasibility study projects the market and kitchen will host 249,000 visitors annually, including 18,000 who qualify for food-assistance programs, according to the district.