Federal Way market on track financially; WIC farmers-market program to end statewide Sept. 30

Federal Way’s seasonal farmers market is operating near its budgeted break‑even point for May through August, but city staff and council members said a recent change in state federal funding could reduce food‑benefit redemptions and affect vendors and customers in October. Bill, the city staff member who presented the update, told the committee vendor attendance averaged 37 paid vendors per week and total vendor sales for the first 17 weeks were $403,000, an average of about $23,000 per week. He said booth rentals and commissions for the period totaled about $52,000, or roughly $3,000 per week—about $25.50 ahead of budget each week.

The update noted that the market is relying on the annual “Taste of Federal Way” event and advanced ticket sales to hit the year’s budgeted attendance target of about 700 restaurant attendees at that event. Bill said ticket sales and nonprofit advance sales were running “very well” and that the market aimed to land at breakeven once those receipts and day‑of sales are…