fresh produce

Fresh produce is abundant in the Skagit Valley. Here you will find a wide variety of organic and conventional fruits, berries, nuts and vegetables. The best places to find fresh local organic and conventional produce in season are local food co ops and farmer's markets.

Our fresh produce season begins in the late spring at our local farmer's markets. Most Farmer's markets begin in mid tolate May and last through mid October. The main Bellingham farmer's market is open through December.

Local farm produce stands also feature a wide variety of seasonal fruits, vegetables and flowers. Most stands have irregular schedules based on seasonal variations in crop availability.

Generally during May and June fresh lettuce, spinach, radishes, kales and other early crops may be found in the co ops and farmer's markets.

Strawberries and colorful flowers of all kinds arrive in late June and early July and may be purchased at local farm stands, farmer's markets, grocery stores and food co ops.

Local blueberries and raspberries are available during August. Our local sweet corn is delicious and is available from late August through the end of September. Local apples, fresh raw apple cider, a wide variety of squash & pumpkins and local red potatoes are fall favorites. Other crops both organic and traditional are cucumbers, carrots, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, peas, green beans, tomatoes, filbert nuts, brown and white mushrooms, honey and wheat.

fresh seafood

Blau Oyster
At Blau Oyster located 5 minutes from Northbank Cottage right on Samish Island you may purchase shucked pacific oysters as well as live oysters in the shell. Blau's is the oldest continuously run family oyster farm in the Skagit Valley. web site

Look for signs to Blau Oyster on Samish Island. 11321 Blue Heron Road, Bow, WA 98232
Product availability and hours may vary seasonally. Call first - 260 766 6171

Taylor's Shellfish Farms
Taylor's Samish Bay location is located just 10 minutes north of nearby Edison on Chuckanut Drive. At Taylor's seafood store you may purchase many succulent varieties of fresh oysters in the shell including Olympia, Pacific, Eastern, European Flat and prized Kumamoto oysters. In season, you will alos find fresh salmon, clams and mussels. web site

Plan a picnic at Taylor's. Grill your own fresh seafood and dine al fresco by the bay. Tables and a grill are provided. Bring your own wood or charcoal. Restrooms are available.

2182 Chuckanut Drive, Bow, WA 98232
Immediately adjacent to the parking lot in front of the Oyster Creek Inn take the road down to the shore and Taylor's Shellfish Farm.

Product availability and hours may vary seasonally. Call first - 260 766 6002

food co ops

Skagit Valley Food Co op located in downtown Mount Vernon Washington about a half hour southeast of Northbank Cottage. Driving directions are on the co op web site.

Mon.- Sat. 8am-9pm, Sun. 9am-8pm
202 South First Street, Mount Vernon, WA 98273 - 360 336 9777

Bellingham Community Food Co op located 35 minutes north of Northbank Cottage in downtown Bellingham WA. web site

7 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day
1220 N. Forest St. Bellingham WA 98225 - 360 734 8158

farmer's markets
All the farmer's markets listed below are 35 minutes or less from Northbank Cottage with the Bellingham markets the furthest away.

Anacortes Farmer's Market
Saturday 9AM to 2PM May through October
7th & R Avenue at the Depot Arts Center
Downtown Anacortes

Bellingham Farmer's Markets - web site

Downtown Market - Saturday 8am - 3pm April - December
Downtown at Railroad ave & Chestnut Street
This is a large market with a wide variety of fresh produce, fresh flowers, arts & crafts and great food stands.

Fairhaven Market - Wednesday 3 to 7pm June - September
Located in historic Fairhaven on the Village Green behind Village Books.

Mount Vernon Farmer's Market
Saturday 9am to 1pm, late May to Mid October
Downtown Mount Vernon next to the Skagit River

Sedro-Woolley Farmer's Market
Wednesday 3pm - 7pm, late May to Mid October
Downtown at the new "Town Square"

Skagit Valley Hospital's Farmer's Market
Wednesday 3pm - 6pm, July - September
1415 E. Kincaid Street, Mount Vernon WA
Located on the hospital campus up on "the hill" above downtown.