By Debra Morris–
It’s finally here! The Castro Farmers’ Market is back for the season! On March 11, Noe and Market Streets were filled with all your favorite farmers of fine fruits and vegetables, eggs, honey, and baked goods—everything you could want from local farmers and other food producers. But best of all, this local gathering place was again filled with the sounds of music, chatter, and laughter as neighbors filled the street to enjoy their community and local businesses.
The Castro opening day festivities featured a blessing by Sister Chola of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence and a ribbon cutting ceremony at 5 pm with State Senator Scott Wiener, entertainer and San Francisco Bay Times columnist Donna Sachet, and President of Castro Merchants Masood Samerie. There was also a special performance by Llano River Blue with additional musical entertainment provided by Aprylle Gilbert.
The artisanal Native Baking Company is new to the market this year, and will be there along with your favorite farmers from past seasons. These farmers offer a constantly changing variety of seasonal California produce, emphasizing the importance of eating with the seasons. They grow what they sell so you know where your food is coming from! Spring will be filled with greens like asparagus, baby lettuces, spring onions, celery, spinach, and more.
Visit Shelly’s Farm Fresh out of Brentwood for fantastic pasture-raised eggs, Fifth Crow Farm from Pescadero and Happy Boy Farms from Watsonville for some of the best vegetables around, and Pirate Creek Bees in Sunol for pure local honey. There will be grass-fed beef from Victorian Farmstead Meat Company in Sebastopol, fresh fish gathered by From the Sea to You out of Santa Cruz, Pakistani foods from the Malik Brothers in Fremont, and luscious baked goods from Feel Good Bakery in Alameda.
One of the great things about visiting your local farmers’ market, rather than making a quick run to the grocery store, is the fact that you can talk to your farmers, learn about their farm and produce, and pick up a quick recipe. You’ll find the camaraderie of the farmers’ market to be one of the most pleasant experiences you can have while getting to know your neighbors and rekindle old relationships as you pick up the highest quality products, all while supporting your local farmers and your local community and the surrounding businesses.
Thank you for your support in years past. Let’s make this season’s Castro Farmers’ Market one of the best ever! We’ll be here on Wednesdays from 4 pm to 8 pm through November 18.
Debra Morris is a spokesperson for the Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market Association (PCFMA). Check out the PCFMA website for recipes, information about farmers’ markets throughout the region and for much more: https://www.pcfma.org/
Published on March 12, 2020
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