Eckerhaus at the Market!

We are proud to have concluded our third consecutive year as sponsors of the Maple Valley Farmers Market! As one of Washington's largest markets, it continues to be a vibrant hub for our community, and we are grateful for the incredible turnout we witness each season.

As part of our sponsorship, Eckerhaus Consulting hosted a booth for two weekends, making it a priority to attend the Community Preparedness Weekend and the week prior. Our presence at the market is a direct extension of our mission to support health, growth, and resiliency within our neighborhood.

This year, we utilized our platform to provide vital, life-saving resources. As a recognized agency with Public Health—Seattle & King County, our team was on hand to distribute essential harm reduction supplies and offer education, including:

• Narcan/Naloxone and Fentanyl test strips.

• Information on how to spot an overdose and how to use Naloxone.

• Rhetoric for discussing opioid safety with teens.

• Access to harm reduction vending machines and local support organizations like PeerKent.

We want to send a heartfelt thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth. We spoke with a diverse group of community members, teachers, nurses, firefighters, and parents, who shared their genuine gratitude for having these resources available. We especially appreciate those who approached with hesitation but left having listened and asked important questions about why this kind of work is so crucial.

Our time at the market wasn't just about harm reduction conversations. We used our platform to promote inclusive education by handing out red cards in multiple languages and sharing fun zines on topics like basic first aid, standing up to bullies, and edible perennials. It was such a good time connecting with our community.

The people who come back year after year with their stories of how the Naloxone we distributed saved a life always make the early mornings at the market worth it. Partnering with the Maple Valley Farmers Market is a highlight of our year, and we're excited to continue supporting both the market and the crucial work of supplying harm reduction supplies to our community.