The global pandemic, supply chain issues, inflation, and climate challenges are enough to make your head spin. Despite all that (and more), farmers markets continue to adapt, providing access to safe and nutritious locally produced foods.
Farmers markets “embody the American spirit of overcoming challenges to build back better,” says U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Thomas J. Vilsack, in his National Farmers Market Week proclamation. So, help us celebrate during the week, August 7 to 13, 2022, and beyond.
Farmers markets are vital community hubs where people connect with each other. Our partners in the Farmers Market L.I.F.E. program continue to champion local small to mid-sized farms, access to locally grown healthy foods for everyone including those on CalFresh, and efforts to reduce the climate impact.
Click here to find a list of FM LIFE farmers markets and their 2022 times, locations, and websites.
Highlights from FM LIFE farmers markets
Nothing stops farmers markets from keeping on doing what they do best. Petaluma Bounty will continue our weekly presence at the Petaluma Walnut Park Farmers Market (Saturdays 2-5 p.m.) so be sure to stop by.
Senior FMNP and Senior Bonus Bucks are coming soon
Soon, Petaluma Bounty will be distributing special incentives for seniors at some of our partner farmers markets in the FM L.I.F.E. program.
Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) is a federally funded program for seniors 60 years of age and older. The goal of the California SFMNP is to provide fresh, nutritious, unprepared, locally-grown produce, cut herbs, and raw honey through Certified Farmers’ Markets to low-income seniors. Senior Bonus Bucks, coordinated by Interfaith Sustainable Food Collaborative, will provide additional incentives to those who receive SFMNP.
Stay tuned for more information. Email education@petalumabounty.org if you have any questions.
Petaluma Thursday market has moved to the Fairgrounds
If you haven’t yet, check out the Petaluma Thursday evening farmer market at its new location at the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds, in the east parking lot at the intersection of Kenilworth Drive and Johnson Street.
The market runs every Thursday from 3 to 7 p.m. through September 29 for the season.
Healdsburg Zucchini Festival is on Saturday, August 13
Head down to downtown Healdsburg on Saturday, August 13 with your best zucchini on wheels! Or, just head down to the annual Zucchini Festival to see the zucchini car race and giant zucchinis. Click here for event details.
Where: West Plaza Parking Lot, Healdsburg (North and Vine Streets, one block west of the Plaza)
When:
- 8:30-9:30 a.m. Registration of Giant Zucchini and Zucchini Racing Cars
- 9:30-10:15 a.m. Public voting period
- 10 a.m. Giant Zucchini winners announced
- 10:20 a.m. Creative Zucchini winners announced
- 10:30 a.m. Zucchini car races begin
For more info or to volunteer: Email manager@healdsburgfarmersmarket.org; Call 707 824-8717
Sebastopol Farmers Market has a new manager
There’s a new farmers market manager in Sebastopol but she’s no newbie. Catalina comes with deep experience in farmers markets as a former vendor and manager in southern California. Be sure to say hi when you visit the market. The market runs every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (though if you get there too early, you’ll find that many vendors are early birds). The market gives out $2 Senior Veggie Bucks to seniors every second and fourth Sunday of the month.
For more information about Sebastopol Farmers Market, click here.
Seasonal markets are hopping
Russian River Certified Farmers Market is open every Thursday through September 1. Through the end of August, Santa Rosa Original Certified Farmers Market organization is running its seasonal market catering to WIC clients, but the market is open to everyone.
Follow markets on social media to see what’s in season, latest news
Santa Rosa Original Certified Farmers Market has a fun and mouth-watering Instagram feed. You can find links to all the social media accounts under one Agricultural Community Events Farmers Markets roof here.