Santa Cruz: A New Year-Round Market

Pictured here: six of the farmers who are alumni of the former Friday West Side Santa Cruz farmers market, which used to take place in front of Kelly's Bakery on Swift Street. Missing: Kirsten Roehler, who farmed with Jasmine Roohani (in the blue scarf, knitted by Betty Van Dyke in the red vest). Left to right: Jeff Caspary (Crystal Creek Farm), Betty Van Dyke (Van Dyke Orchards), Brandon Faria (Faria Family Farm), Jasmine Roohani (most recently of Everett Family Farm, Jasmine is going to work for the Ecological Farming Conference), Geoff Palla (formerly of Meder Street Farm, Geoff has moved up to be the head gardener at Copia Center for Wine & Food in Napa), and Kurt Christiansen (Oso Velloso Farm). Only Betty and Geoff are not alumni of the UCSC Farm & Garden apprentice program, which will celebrate its 40th anniversary in the upcoming summer.   

Today was a beautiful day in Santa Cruz, the kind you long for when you enter the winter months. And the kind of day you count, and ask each other, "How many more of these will we have before the rains come?"

The rains are what keep people away from our outdoor markets when winter comes. It doesn't even have to be that cold (comparatively, Yankees), but cold and wet is our equivalent of "Let It Snow!"

 

Oh the weather outside is frightful
But the fire is so delightful
And since we've no place to go
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

 

SANTA CRUZ VERSION
Oh the weather outside is frightful
But the fire is so delightful
And since we've no need for pain
Let it rain! Let it rain! Let it rain!

(Pictured here: Justin Severino's paté.) It was a pleasure to hang out a little with Julie today while she taught people about the products that Justin makes. Julie has a skill in expert coffee roasting, and she can also seriously pull the collagen off a pig's skull like no one you've ever seen. Down to earth, bright-eyed, kind face, smart smart. Julie.

I talked to her: she's apprenticing with Justin in his butcher shop. She's going off to some kind of agro-ecology program, and I hope it brings her closer to Santa Cruz. Just as Justin and his beautiful wife are coming closer to Santa Cruz.

The newest addition to all the farmers markets in the county (every single day but Monday) is the market on the west side of town, at Western Drive and Highway 1. It's the last light heading north on Highway 1 before you hit the open road to Davenport, Pescadero, and Half Moon Bay. Market manager, Nesh Dillon, was optimistic when it opened, when I asked about the potential of this market.

The market has such a wonderful feel. In a parking lot that is a perfect square and, among a few others, includes farmers and a fishmonger and the cheesemonger, bread bakers, and a butcher/rancher set up tents, which are ironically called "Easy Ups." They are neither easy nor up. ("Easy Overs" would be more accurate.) In my hours of socializing with my friends there, I've taken many a turn holding down a corner of the tent. (Are you old enough to remember Sister Bertrille, aka "The Flying Nun"? All the wind needs is one corner of a farmer's wimple, and it's up, up, and away.) Betty Van Dyke has a big umbrella with a weighted stand, but it, too, can go over. We deal with it.

The granddaddy of the Santa Cruz county farmers markets is the Monterey Bay Certified Farmers Market in Aptos. Located in the parking garage at Cabrillo College, it celebrated its 30th anniversary this summer, and has upwards of sixty vendors. They are not all organic/sustainable by a longshot, but MANY of my favorite farmers (not the pesticide ones) are there. Including all of these.

As someone who contributes web design and/or photography to both organizations, I am not conflicted in myself about promoting them both. Both have advantages and disadvantages. I can touch on those later, but for now, am just so happy that Nesh told me that this little Saturday market, which was originally intended to go through Thanksgiving, will try to be year-round.

Are you coming from San Francisco on Saturday morning/noon?  Stop at the market.

I was astonished to see GOLDEN RASPBERRIES today, and strawberries! Helllleuw? This is November! No complaints.

It was a joy to be at the tiny market—despite missing these and those folks today—but still vital.

Tomorrow it's supposed to rain all day. I can't imagine we'll have a better day of football than we did last week, so I might find the opportunity to go downtown and visit with Justin Severino while he makes a lot of sausages.

Hey, I might learn something!

Meanwhile, if you are coming down from the city (SAN FRANCISCO, okay?)  on a Saturday morning, this market is open from 9AM until 2PM.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: “If the rain spoils our picnic, but saves a farmer's crop, who are we to say it shouldn't ” — Tom Barrett

Thanks for visiting.

Comments

[lee]

Tana, I linked to this post because I just wrote about our winter market here in Wisconsin.

[Teresa]

Oh, I love the farmers' markets when it rains! There's something about being drizzled on that adds that extra something while I'm out buying peppers and squash.

[Tea]

I have to admit I prefer the markets in the winter--less hectic, fewer people, and everyone has more time to chat.
I remember overhearing a farmer at the SF market (during the time it was displaced from the Ferry Building) say that winter showed him who his real customers were--the ones who would come out in the rain and cold!
I say, bring it on.