Almost twenty years ago when Chris Curtis started the University District Farmers Market, she set a standard for farmers markets throughout the northwest. Working in partnership with local organic farmers who also sat on the board, the market required local, exclusively organic products and excluded crafts. Other neighborhoods joined her efforts and eventually became the Neighborhood Farmers Market Alliance.

Seattle certainly is ranked among the country’s top food cities, and Chris’s efforts on behalf of farmers markets have helped that happen.

Last week the Washington State Farmers Market Association named Chris the Advocate of the Year. Congratulations Chris, and thank you. All of us who frequent farmers markets benefit from your amazing efforts.

If you would like to know how Chris started the markets, you can read her profile here.