Third Place Commons Annual Award to go to Church of the Redeemer-Kenmore

The Church of the Redeemer in Kenmore
is a major supporter of Market Bucks.

The Lake Forest Park Farmers Market is a program of Third Place Commons. Market Bucks is also a program of Third Place Commons.

Market Bucks are two-dollar coupons distributed through local social service agencies for distribution to their clients. The idea developed as a way to help people gain better access to the fresh, local food available at our Farmers Market.

Over the past five years the Church of the Redeemer in Kenmore has donated a total of $22,000 to the Market Bucks program. This contribution has been the backbone of the program. The program is now getting funds from a variety of sources and is on its way towards self-sufficiency.  

The coupons are distributed to individuals who can shop at the Lake Forest Park Farmers Market and are used just like cash. The farmers at the market collect the coupons each week and turn them into Third Place Commons.

Commons staff then reimburses the farmers for the coupons. The average redemption rate for coupons distributed last year was 73%. The rate varied by the local service agencies, but this number is a very positive sign that the program is well-received.

The Market Bucks program is good for the farmers because having this additional source of revenue encourages them to remain in our market. The program is also good for the community because it provides a more healthful diet to many residents who would otherwise go without.

If you want to support the Lake Forest Park Farmers Market, Market Bucks and all of the other great programs of Third Place Commons, please make a contribution and purchase a ticket to the annual breakfast on February 25 at 7 am at the Commons.

You can purchase a ticket on line at Third Place Commons Community Breakfast, or at Third Place Books, upper level Town Center, intersection of Bothell and Ballinger Way in Lake Forest Park.