Those already enjoying the fruits and wares of farmer's markets in Ballard and Fremont will have another nearby option to buy organic when the Phinney neighborhood kicks off its own weekly market this summer.

The effort to bring in a Phinney Farmers Market has been in the works for several years, said Ann Bowden with the Phinney Neighborhood Association. The group will host the market every Friday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. in its lower parking lot at 6532 Phinney Ave. N. starting June 15.

"We've been very excited about this - we've been lobbying for it for years," said Bowden.

The new market is organized by the Neighborhood Farmers Market Alliance, a local non-profit organization that operates markets in six other Seattle neighborhoods, including West Seattle and the University District.

The community had talked about the possibility of a farmer's market similar to the Ballard and Fremont markets, which are run by another organization and feature more arts and crafts than food. But the community ultimately chose the Alliance because it's vendors are known to have a wider variety of organic foods, said Bowden.

It was also the organization's dedication to supporting local farmers that was a huge attraction, especially since many Phinney residents already help sustain local agriculture through buying from local organic farmers, said Bowden.

The Phinney Association sponsored a fundraiser last summer that helped the Alliance with initial marketing and staff costs to open the market. The event, Incredible Feast, paired Seattle chefs with local farmers to create original dishes for visitors to sample, along with Washington wines and local microbrews.

The fundraiser and a grant from the Washington Department of Agriculture was enough to pool together resources for the long-awaited market, said Chris Curtis, director of the Neighborhood Farmers Market Alliance.

The Phinney market will feature more than 30 farmers from around the Puget Sound and Eastern Washington. The majority will offer organic foods.

"It'll be a strong critical mass of local growers," Curtis said.

Though the Alliance isn't 100 percent organic, the majority of its sales come from organic vendors and about 70 percent of its customers buy from organic growers. "Are you organic?" has become one of the most commonly heard questions around the markets, Curtis said.

Farmers will sell their own fresh-picked berries, greens, herbs and various seasonal vegetables, including different kinds of cucumbers, carrots, asparagus, cauliflower, fava beans, leeks, garlic shoots and radishes.

Deeper into summer and early fall, there will be peaches, heirloom tomatoes, root vegetables, summer squashes, lettuces, braising greens, lavender and plenty of row crops.

The market will also feature several farmstead cheese vendors, with cow's milk cheeses from Whatcom County, including cheddar and feta. Goat cheeses from Port Madison Farm on Bainbridge Island and Samish Bay Cheese from an organic dairy farm in Skagit County will also be available.

Organic meats and eggs will be featured regularly. Also, expect to see Pacific Northwest-caught fish, such as salmon and rustic breads and baked goods from Ballard's Tall Grass Bakery.

Look for seasonal, locally grown flowers, plant and vegetable starts.

While the markets are a fun and usually light event with live music and food samples, they also exist to support local farmers that have struggled to survive.

The Alliance, supported in part by the state department of agriculture and Seattle's Office of Economic Development, focuses on bringing the region's small farmers and their products into Seattle neighborhoods.

Direct-sale opportunities for local farmers ensure that rural farmlands are kept economically viable and intact, said Curtis.

"I think people in the Northwest care a lot about that," she said. "There are bigger economic issues here than it just being a fun thing to do."

Based on surveys the Alliance conducts, the majority of its farmers reported their primary income comes from profits they make at in-city farmer's markets. The markets help provide a living wage for more than 140 of the region's small farmers.

"It's kind of heartening to see this bright spot in agriculture," Curtis said. "We do a lot of work on behalf of local farmers and we're very proud of that. That maybe sets us apart in a way (from other farmer's markets)."

Shopping at local markets can also provide a sense of security for people worried about food contamination. Customers can learn how the produce was born, shipped, and even how far it traveled.

"You can do that at a farmer's market," said Curtis. "You can talk to the vendor and you feel like you made a really, really good decision. I think people want more local (food) sources."

To discuss volunteer opportunities and learn more about how the markets work join a community meeting at the Phinney Neighborhood Center, 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 8.

Rebekah Schilperoort may be reached at rebekahs@robinsonnews.com or 783.1244.