As the summer season ripens, so do the fruits and vegetables that thrive in Central Coast soil. Growers work year round to put fresh food on our tables, and now’s the perfect time to take advantage of the region’s many farmers markets.
With alfresco markets held in Nipomo, Santa Maria, Orcutt, and Lompoc, shoppers can choose from a bonanza of freshly harvested goodies just about every day of the week. And whether staged in a city park or parking lot, each one offers a chance to visit with friends and local growers, while helping to build community ties and ensure a healthy future for family farms.
Despite the fact that many farmers sell at multiple locations, each market has its own personality, for among the fruits, veggies, nuts, and herbs, attendees find elements representative of the host communities.
In Nipomo, shoppers can dig into a weekly barbecue (Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., 1645 Trilogy Parkway); while in Lompoc, they’ll enjoy prepared food and family entertainment amid invigorating ocean breezes (Friday, 2 to 6 p.m., Ocean and I streets). In keeping with the city’s reputation for lively commerce, both of Santa Maria’s Central City Farmers Markets take place within steps of popular shops and restaurants (Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Bradley Road and Clark Avenue, and Wednesday, noon to 4 p.m., Santa Maria Town Center West parking lot).
Moving into the heart of July, shoppers find an amazing variety of nuts, berries, row crops, and orchard-grown goodies filling the tables at local farmers markets. Everything from apples and early peaches to baby squash and salad greens can be found in the bins and baskets displayed under the vendors’ canopies.
Ripe, juicy tomatoes have finally arrived, along with other sunshine-loving crops, such as cucumbers, eggplants, corn-on-the-cob, and bell peppers. Browsers with a sweet tooth will find delectables that include fresh figs, cantaloupe, and watermelon, along with nectarines, peaches, and a variety of table grapes.
Besides field- and orchard-grown goodies, local producers offer honey, breads, pies, pickles, and preserves. Fishermen share their seasonal wares—which can range from shrimp and lobster, to oysters and halibut—while dairy farmers bring out yogurt, spreads, and artisan cheeses.
Look for antibiotic-free chicken, duck, and Cornish game hens, as well as regional grass-fed and hormone-free beef and pork. And if that’s not enough, many markets also reserve space for vendors of cut flowers, potted plants, and handmade items like soap, jewelry, crafts, and knitted wear.
[image-2] Farmers markets don’t feature a central checkout stand, so before heading out, stock up on small bills and change for quick transactions. Bring a large tote or net shopping bag to hold accumulated purchases, and smaller produce bags to aid the environment, as well as to help farmers cut down on costs.
The markets are held outdoors, so dress according to the weather and, by all means, wear comfortable shoes suitable for asphalt and uneven grass. Happy feet make it easier to navigate the line of stalls to check out availability, variety, and prices, which can differ from stand to stand.
Since locally grown and purchased produce spends so little time in transit, it retains a substantial measure of its true flavor, natural texture, and vital nutrients. And because sellers at farmers markets aren’t trying to satisfy a mass consumer base stretching from coast to coast, they can offer buyers a wider, more diverse array of choices.
Farm stands and tailgate grocers have been around for decades, but organized farmers markets didn’t arrive until about 35 years ago. As agribusiness boomed, forcing families to abandon their small farms, California’s then-governor, Jerry Brown, charged the state’s director of agriculture with developing a Direct Marketing Code to help small growers stay in business.
Prior to the implementation of this code, it was illegal in California for farmers to sell directly to consumers. With the opening of direct access channels, Southern California farmers soon recognized the advantages of coordinating their marketing efforts, and in 1983, they formed the Southland Farmers’ Market Association.
At about the same time, a little farther north, area growers founded the Santa Barbara Certified Farmers’ Market Association (SBCFMA), a nonprofit, mutual benefit corporation. The goal was to re-establish the precious link between farmers and the people who rely upon them for food, as well as provide farmers with direct access to the public.
Along the way, proponents have found that the open-air bazaars help to strengthen communities, promote sustainable agriculture, and restore the agrarian values at the heart of our democracy. With summer in full swing, it’s time to pick up some fresh goodies at the farmers market and get to know the growers who put food on Central Coast tables.
To find a farmers market anywhere in California, visit Cafarmersmarkets.com.
K. Reka Badger eats her vegetables. Contact her at rekabadger@hotmail.com.
This article appears in Jul 8-15, 2010.
