Beyond the Produce: Beef, Seafood, and Salami at the Everett Farmers Market
Story by Karen Erickson. Photography by Sylvia Blaauw.
The colorful produce booths always catch my eye when I first arrive at the Everett Farmers Market. But there’s plenty more to bring home. Look a little closer, and you’ll find beef for supper, seafood from Alaska’s waters, and handcrafted salami to enjoy with friends. Behind each is a story worth getting to know.
Chuckanut Beef brings Washington-grown beef to the Everett Farmers Market.
CHUCKANUT BEEF: A LIFETIME OF RAISING CATTLE
For Blake Ingman, raising cattle began with his first bottle calf at just two years old. By third grade, he was feeding around twenty calves at a time — a responsibility he continued through high school.
That childhood experience grew into Chuckanut Beef, established in 2018. Blake takes pride in knowing each animal’s history and caring for the cattle throughout their lives.
Steaks, ribs, roasts, and ground beef — plus bundle boxes — from Chuckanut Beef.
At the market, shoppers can choose steaks, ribs, roasts, and ground beef. Chuckanut also offers bundle boxes and larger beef orders, whether you’re planning supper for tonight or tucking away favorite cuts for another day.
Website: chuckanutbeef.com
Sea to Shore brings wild Alaskan salmon, halibut, shrimp, and scallops to Everett each Sunday.
SEA TO SHORE: A FISHING STORY IN EVERY PACKAGE
Based out of Bellingham, Sea to Shore Seafood Co. has been a familiar presence at the Everett Farmers Market for several years.
Founders Chelsea and Pete Keutmann came to fishing by different paths. Chelsea grew up aboard a fishing boat in Petersburg, Alaska. A fourth-generation fisherman and third-generation female fisherman, she became captain of her own vessel at eighteen. Pete grew up around the ocean in Santa Cruz, California, and served five years in the Coast Guard before entering commercial fishing.
Every Sea to Shore package carries the fisherman’s name, portrait, and where the catch came from.
Today, Sea to Shore also works with other fishing families. Something that caught my eye was the packaging: a fisherman’s name, a portrait, and the catch location. Whether you’re choosing salmon, halibut, shrimp, or scallops, those details offer a personal connection to the people behind your seafood.
Website: seatoshoreseafood.com
Salt Blade’s handcrafted salami, made in Seattle with meat from Olsen Farms — now in gift assortments, too.
SALT BLADE: A PARTNERSHIP BORN AT A MARKET
Salt Blade founder Bob Blade left a career in software engineering to follow his longtime interest in food. While searching for locally raised meat for his new business, he stopped at the Olsen Farms booth at the Ballard Farmers Market. His request to buy twenty-five pounds began a partnership that continues today. In Seattle, Salt Blade crafts salami by hand using meat from Olsen Farms in Colville, Washington.
I remember their early Everett booth offering individual salamis. On a recent visit, I noticed ready-made gift assortments, too. We bought salami to enjoy with cheese on a charcuterie board. It could also go onto pizza, into pasta, or along on a camping trip.
Website: saltblade.com
So, on Sunday, take a little time to explore beyond the produce tables. You might find something for supper — and a story to bring home with it.
Shopping with SNAP/EBT? You can also use your benefits to purchase beef, seafood, and salami at the Everett Farmers Market. Stop by the market information booth to get started.
The Everett Farmers Market continues on Sundays through October 25, from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 2930 Wetmore Avenue in downtown Everett. On November 22, there will be a special Gather and Give Holiday Celebration — a chance to shop for your holiday table and gifts from local vendors.
ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTOR
Karen Erickson has worked with the Everett Farmers Market since 2012 and continues to be involved with the market as well as other organizations throughout the Everett community. She enjoys sharing the stories of the people, businesses, and organizations that help make Everett a vibrant community.