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A Fresh Start
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Q&A with Visalia Farmers Market
Photos by Topograph
"We're excited to be moving to a more central location of the city that offers ample shade and grassy areas for visitors."
Farmersmarkets play a crucial role in connecting farmers with consumers and fostering a sense of community. Having direct access to locally grown produce promotes a healthier lifestyle and can improve one’s overall well being. The hard-working farmers’ livelihood is supported, and they gain a unique opportunity to build relationships with their customers. The Visalia Farmers Market has been able to play an essential role in the local food scene for the past 46 years because of the ongoing support of the community. This September, Visalia Farmers Market will be moving to a more central location of the city that offers ample shade and grassy areas for visitors. Whether purchasing fresh seasonal produce, essential items, gifts, or grabbing a bite to eat, taking the time to visit the Visalia Farmers Market helps keep our community vibrant and allows you to experience the benefits of connecting with your local producers. This month, we sat down with Sarah Shoffner, a board member of the Visalia Farmers Market, and asked her to share about the uniqueness of their market.
Lifestyle: When and how did the Visalia Farmers Market come to be? And how does it operate?
Visalia Farmers Market: The Visalia Farmers Market was started by five farmers in 1977. They operated in the Sears parking lot seasonally March-October. Over the years, we’ve grown into our current year-round Saturday market with 70 members and have remained a farmer-focused organization. In addition to our Saturday farmers market, we still operate a seasonal morning market May-August on Wednesdays. Our Board of Directors is made up of four farmers and one artisan member; our group really hasn't changed that much in 46 years.
Lifestyle: How many and what types of vendors are part of the organization?
Visalia Farmers Market: We’re a membership organization made up of 70% farmers and 30% artisans of food and craft. We currently have 70 members, 49 farmers and 21 artisans.
Lifestyle: Is there anything unique about the Visalia Farmers Market compared to others throughout the Central Valley?
Visalia Farmers Market: Visalia Farmers Market Association (VFMA) is a Certified Farmers Market with California Department of Food & Agriculture inspected by the Tulare County Ag Commissioner's Office. That means our farmers grow what they sell at the market. We also have a VFMA Board of Directors that guides our organization with our Association Director and Market Manager.
Lifestyle: How has the farmers market culture changed over the years?
Visalia Farmers Market: Knowing your farmers has become important and eating seasonal is a lifestyle that doesn't go out of style. Farmers markets are essential, and during Covid, the market really shined when our community rallied together to have a drive-thru farmers market.
Lifestyle: Can you share about your new location and what visitors can expect?
Visalia Farmers Market: We’re excited to move up Mooney Blvd to Main Street on the north side of the Tulare County Courthouse’s solar panel-covered parking lot. We’re moving after Labor Day to the [Main St/Mooney Blvd] location. Saturday, September 9, 2023, is our first day at our new location. We’ll have greener grass and summer shade at the new location as well as parking available in the west parking lot for vendors, portable restrooms, and the great artisans and farm-fresh produce the community knows and loves.
Lifestyle: Anything else on the horizon for the market? Any short- or long-term goals?
Visalia Farmers Market: Our Board has been working on our bylaws to help streamline membership and make it current with today's technology. Hopefully changes will allow for new members to join the organization this fall and in 2024. Our long-term goal is to be a small grocery market for our community, where you can get your milk, produce, and bread weekly.
YEAR-ROUND MARKET
When: Saturdays 8am-11:30am
Current Location: Sears Parking Lot through September 2.
New location: Tulare County Courthouse Parking Lot at Mooney Blvd. and Main St. as of September 9.
SEASONAL MARKET
When: Wednesdays 8am-11:30am
Location: Kaweah Health parking lot at the corner of Akers & Tulare
Visit these vendors at the next Visalia Farmers Market
Dot Seven Ranch
dotsevenranch.com
Sustainable four generation rancher located in Clovis creating high quality beef for your table, and you can taste the difference. To make it even better, their premium beef can ship right to your door!
Rocky Oaks Goat Creamery
5365 N Mendocino Clovis rockyoaksgoatcreamery.com
559-297-2253
With a large variety of fresh, aged, and brie goat cheese, there is something for everyone! If you enjoy the taste of quality, this fresh goat cheese is for you.
Tartaglia Farms
Dolores Tartaglia
661-203-4075
Dolores and her family mostly farm eggs. But depending on the season, tomatoes, grapes and dried fruit can also be found at her booth!
Pure Harvest Orchards
559-859-4469
A family operation farming in Dinuba that makes quality a priority. They locally grow stone fruit, citrus, and grapes! throughout the year!
Sweet Thistle Farms
5365 N Mendocino Ave., Clovis sweetthistlefarms.com
This boutique flower farm plants each and every stem by hand, sustainably raises, and tends the flowers with love. They focus on cut flowers, CSA subscriptions & even heirloom pumpkins!
Top of the Hill Jams
41513 Rd 40, Reedley jam4you.com
559-901-0902
Canned in jars just like the olden days, this local spot offers some of the most flavorful farm fresh jams, jellies & marmalades around. Best part: They grow their stone fruit and citrus!
