Lopez Selected as Renton Farmers Market Coordinator

Former project manager, cake artist and, now, Renton's Coordinator, Valria Lopez may be as versatile as they come.

"We had 38 applicants for this position and a number of strong finalists, but Valria really stood out in the field," said Suzanne Dale Estey, director of economic development for the .

The city finalized the new Renton Farmers Market Coordinator's hiring last week. 

Lopez's first day on the job will be March 1, where she'll take her place on the sixth floor of City Hall in the Economic Development Department, Dale Estey said.

Lopez's versatility will come in handy as the Farmers Market celebrates its tenth season and expands to include a Sunday market at Valley Medical Center this year.

The recently approved an agreement with Valley Medical Center (VMC) for the new Farmers Market event. 

There will be no changes to the downtown Renton market, said Dale Estay, adding that weekly attendance consistently reached 4,000 people last year. She hopes to continue to grow the downtown market in 2011.

Patrons can continue to expect more than 55 vendors downtown, in addition to kids activities, musical entertainment and chef demonstrations.

The VMC market will start off with about 15 vendors and focus on fresh produce, Dale Estey said. The two markets are expected to promote each other.

The expansion to is expected to reach a whole new customer base, she said.

"I feel like it will be a win-win situation," she said. "I just think we're going to touch more people."

The VMC market will run every Sunday from June 12 through Sept. 18 from noon to 4 p.m. The downtown Renton Market will continue its established Tuesday schedule from June 7 through Sept. 27 from 3 to 7 p.m.

Last year a handful of local businesses continued to "localize" their products with Farmers Market produce, Dale Estey said.

added fresh berries purchased at the market in its cupcake of the week, and Chef Small of made a point to shop the market and incorporate the fresh produce in his dishes, she said.

This year she and the city economic development team hope to further local restaurant's involvement in the market.

As for Lopez, she learned of the Renton market coordinator position through her work with the Des Moines market.

Currently a vendor and board member at the Des Moines Farmers Market, Lopez operates a modest home business called Baby Cakes.

The one-and-a-half year-old baked good business will likely take a back seat to her new position with the City, said the Capitol Hill/Ballard-area native.

Lopez's experience goes far beyond baking and farmers market involvement. Her corporate background includes 17 years as a project manager at the Merrill Corporation.

"I can't think of a better job," she said of her new position. "I love the farmers market environment, the outdoors and the diversity."

An interview panel, including Linda Middlebrooks, Brian Larson, Gene Sens, Kelly Beymer and Dale Estey chose Lopez for her strong recommendations and well-rounded background. The panel formed after former Farmers Market Coordinator Stefeny Anderson stepped down after three seasons with the market to follow her passion for teaching. She now works at an after school program that serves Renton High School.

Anyone interested in volunteering should visit rentonfarmersmarket.com for more information.

Help will be needed for set up at noon on Tuesdays from June through September; various duties during the Market; and after-market take down at 7 p.m.

*Editor's Note: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that arts and crafts were available at the Renton Farmer's Market. Renton Patch regrets the error.