The Duvall Farmers Market’s 20th season went out with a bang.

The market, run by a nonprofit of community members, started in 2006. It’s on Thursdays from May to October at Taylor’s Landing Park in downtown Duvall. The last 2025 market was Oct. 9 — the 24th market in a successful season run.

It was also market board president Alex Yearout’s second year in her position. Since she started, the market has continued to grow and break records, including this year.

In 2024, the market broke attendance records with over 1,000 people on opening day and an average of 600 people per market. This year, opening day saw over 2,000 people and markets averaged about 1,000 people.

Sales reflected that change, too.

“We are proud to say sales were up about 85%, with $150,000 more made this year compared to last,” Yearout said.

Last year, Yearout noted that the highest sales days did not necessarily coincide with the most-attended markets. The correlation between the two was stronger in 2025 but was not absolute.

“While we saw a much higher correlation between attendance and sales this year, we also see that success isn’t just about turnout,” she said. “It’s about having the right mix of vendors, food and atmosphere that makes people stay longer and shop more.”

The 2025 season had 49 different vendors, 23 of which were new to the market. Some of the new vendors included Marley’s Bakery sourdough, Dandelion Fuzzies Mini Farm and Mochi and Co, a local party caterer that sold bubble waffles.

The board tried to add more farms this year, including two Yakima Valley farms who sold the whole season. In 2026, Yearout said, they want to do the same, and hopefully add more hyper-local agriculture.

“That’s probably going to be a big push for next year, is to increase our Snoqualmie Valley farmers,” she said. “At the heart of it, it’s a farmers market.”

Another change to the 2025 market was the occasional Dick’s Drive-In food truck, which definitely bumped attendance, Yearout said.

While the Duvall Farmers Market continues to evolve, it does not necessarily have room to grow. Moving forward, Yearout said, the market needs to be increasingly intentional about what vendors it has each week.

The Dick’s Drive-In truck attracts a line of customers at the Duvall Farmers Market, Sept. 4, 2025. (Grace Gorenflo/Valley Record)

“If we can’t add more vendors, we do have to look a little more thoughtfully at who is vending,” she said.

In addition to adding more agricultural vendors, the board wants to include more vendors that people can buy their weekly groceries from, Yearout said. She is looking to other local markets for ideas, from fresh hummus to dried pasta and more.

“We’re going to be doing outreach and targeting very specific categories, specific people, and looking for them to kind of fill that grocery list need,” she said.

As a member of the Washington State Farmers Market Association, the Duvall Farmers Market has certain requirements it must meet to help maintain quality market standards.

“The markets that are part of the organization I think have integrity,” Yearout said. “We’re required to have our highest category of sales be from farms, and that’s something we want to align with, and that we do.”

Next year, Yearout says there might be fewer craft vendors at the market, and she has already started offering every-other-week slots to some craft vendors rather than a weekly spot.

Behind the scenes, Yearout said the market is always looking for new volunteers, and the board is looking for a new treasurer. She said she is hoping to attract more board members that have the ability to spend time in the offseason working on “this whole passion project of a market.”

Yearout, having now been president for two market seasons, said she is starting to focus on long-term goals alongside market manager Anaya Stout.

“If I’m going to continue doing this, what’s the five year plan? Or, like, what’s the 10 year plan, which I never thought about last year,” Yearout said. “What could I dream of?”

Vendor Erin Cox sharpens knives for customers at the Duvall Farmers Market, Sept. 4, 2025. (Grace Gorenflo/Valley Record)

Rising to the occasion

Marley’s Bakery owner Renee Petitti bakes her sourdough loaves out of her one-bedroom apartment in Queen Anne. She said she made 60-80 loaves per market, selling out almost every time.

“The overwhelming demand pushed me beyond what I thought was possible with my capacity limitations,” she said. “This season proved there’s a strong appetite for fresh, handmade sourdough in the Duvall area, and it’s been so rewarding to meet that need.”

Petitti will continue to bring fresh sourdough to Duvall during the off-season with weekly Thursday deliveries. Those interested should subscribe to her newsletter at marleysbakeshop.com. Customers can also order through the website for special occasions.

The bakery will produce seasonal offerings during the holidays, like pumpkin-shaped loaves — a fan favorite — and cranberry-brie pull-apart bread.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better first year of business or more amazing support at this market,” Petitti said. “I want to sincerely thank the people of the Duvall area for welcoming me with open arms and for coming back week after week. I’m beyond grateful and excited for what’s next.”

Fresh peaches and other fruit are for sale at the Duvall Farmers Market, Sept. 4, 2025. Grace Gorenflo / Valley Record

Fresh-pressed t-shirts and bags are for sale, including those with the Duvall Famers Market logo, at the market Sept. 4, 2025. (Grace Gorenflo/Valley Record)

Renee Petitti, owner of Marley’s Bakery, sells her fresh sourdough at the Duvall Farmers Market, Sept. 4, 2025. (Grace Gorenflo/Valley Record)

A saxophone player plays live music at the Duvall Farmers Market, Aug. 21, 2025. (Grace Gorenflo/Valley Record)

Flowers are for sale from Flower Day Farm at the Duvall Farmers Market, Aug. 21, 2025. (Grace Gorenflo/Valley Record)

Flower Day Farm sells fresh blooms at the Duvall Farmers Market, Aug. 21, 2025. (Grace Gorenflo/Valley Record)

A customer orders from the Downpour Espresso coffee cart at the Duvall Farmers Market, Aug. 21, 2025. (Grace Gorenflo/Valley Record)