Flower Bouquets at Seattle Pike Market in Jeopardy

November 28, 2006 (Press Release) -- Seattle, WA 11/20/06 – Visitors to Pike Place Market are surrounded by a colorful wonderland of blooms and bouquets each year. The flowers sold at Pike Market are produced by the local Hmong Community, our Flower Farmers. These hardy farmers emigrated from the mountains of Laos with their large families. Record breaking rains this November flooded their farmlands. Bulbs targeted for spring bouquets were planted just weeks before the floods and without an established root system, the raging waters washed them away. Estimated loss is $3,000 to $45,000 per farm. Our Flower Farmers have no insurance and are left with nothing after the floods. Can you imagine Pike Market without flower bouquets?

In 1999 the Farmer Relief Fund was established and funds were raised to assist farmers when a big hale storm affected stone fruit farmers at Pike Place Market. To this day, Farm Relief Funds help farmers affected by all sorts of weather related damage.

The Flower Farmers need your help. Led by Pike Market’s Farm Relief Fund, individuals and businesses are beginning to come forward with monies for replacement bulbs. However the financial need is dire to save these family farms. “It is hard to put a price tag on how much damage was done and what this farming community has lost” said Julie Haakenson, Farm Program Manager at Pike Place Market. Julie also noted that the Centennial Celebration of Pike Place Market will be starting this January and both Seattleites and Visitors want to keep the Market going strong.
How can you help?

1. Visit www.pikeplacemarket.org and click on EVENTS/Farmer Relief Fund to donate by bank or debit card.
2. Visit the Pike Place Market and drop your cash or check into one of the marked glass donation jars atop vendor counters.
3. Write a business or personal check to Market Foundation /Farmer Relief Fund and mail it to The Market Foundation, 85 Pike St. Room 500, Seattle, WA 98101.

All donations over $100 will receive a half pound of Chocolate Cherry Quartet compliments of the Chukar Cherry Company, a longtime vendor in Pike Place Market. Pam Montgomery, owner and found of Chukar Cherries, took up the cause of the Flower Farmers by donating initial funds to start the relief efforts as well as providing cracker barrel jars used to collect funds.

Chukar Cherries was founded by Pam Montgomery on her family’s cherry orchard over 18 years ago. Located in Washington State, Chukar Cherries produces a wide array of pure food gifts that exemplify the regional bounty and natural flavors of the Pacific Northwest. All products are 100% Natural and Kosher certified. Chukar Cherries has three retail locations in Washington; Pike Place Market in Seattle, Corporate Headquarters in Prosser, Tri City Airport Gift Shop in Pasco. Visit www.chukar.com or call 1.800.624.9544 to speak with a Customer Service Representative.