Id’ like to say I took a two week vacation to an exotic port-o-call, but alas the truth be told, I took a Sunday off and have been knee deep in paperwork since. You see the “season” as we call it in the farmers’ market biz is starting. Yeah, I know the Walnut Creek Farmers’ market runs year round so what is the season? The season is when the seasonal markets open in Orinda, Lafayette and Martinez and to get them open every year there is a mountain of paperwork to be done. A lot of folks never stop to think that a farmers’ market doesn’t just happen every week…..it is a lot of work. The laws and regulations that have to be adhered to and the various governmental agencies that have to be dealt with is staggering and now with every agency in budget crisis permit fees have soared. We have to interact with federal, state, county, and local city on a regular basis. I (we) do it not because it is so hard but because we love it and we are dedicated to the communities we serve. Our reward for the work comes from you stopping us and letting us know you love your market and it is a joy to come to every week. That’s’ why we do it. Last Thursday, the usual blog day for me, by the time I got back from the health dept, the fire dept and fixing tents and so on, I had the idea to write a piece for the blog and promptly fell asleep. I knew you would understand being the understanding folks you are……….
On to the markets. Starting tomorrow, the 6th of May, The much anticipated Lafayette Farmers’ Market will open for a regular season. Last year’s pilot program was a huge success and the planning for this year’s full season started the day after it closed last summer. It will be in the same spot, Plaza Park on the corner of Mt. Diablo & Moraga Rd. I am going over to lend a hand getting it open and take some pictures of the whole place set up. It will be a honey of a market. If you get a chance stop and say Hi to Moria, the manager. She has been working so hard to get this market smoothed out and open.
The Martinez Market is open on Main St. on Sundays and Orinda is open on Saturday. Both markets are a blast, small and charming. Still both have a wide range of vendors to please you. Make them a habit. Go to www.cccfm.org for more info.
Oh! Don’t forget to see me on Sundays.
The Featured Farmer and Vendor have been announced in Walnut Creek Featured Farmer: Hamada Farms, sadly, Hamada farms is currently out of product but will return with Cherries any day now. Featured Vendor is our one and only Tamale Lady, Allstar Tamales. Look for their special flags on their booths. If you haven’t checked them out them make sure you do.
See you at the market(s)!
Filed under: CCCFM, Certified Farmers' Market, Exotic fruits, Farmers' Markets, food safety, Fresh Food, orchards, Organic, People, Photography, Planting, Sustainable, Uncategorized, Walnut Creek, weather Tagged: | cherries, Hamada, Lafayette, Martinez, Massa Organic Farm, Mt. Diablo, Natures Bounty, Orinda, season, Walnut Creek, Walnut Creek Farmers Market
Hi Keith,
Congratulations on the Lafayette Market! I’m sure it is a honey of a market. Our family loves the Lafayette Library – sooooo new and so easy to park. Quiet and peaceful. Great for our bookworm 3-year old. We hope to visit Lafayette very soon and check you out. Moira is such a sweetie! She is cool. Can’t wait to say hi very soon.
Happy Spring.