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Exploring the region’s farmers’ markets 14
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RN&R
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08.01.19
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ver the last five years, the Reno Gazette Journal has reported a decline in farmers’ markets across Northern Nevada. The number of markets has fallen from 20 for some years prior to 2016, to only 12 markets for the 2019 growing season. Given this decline, I visited five markets in Minden, Fernley, Truckee and Reno in order to better understand the state of local agriculture.
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Truckee Community Farmers’ Market
12047 Donner Pass Road, Truckee, California Sundays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., through Sept. 29
I found that of the sites I visited, each proved a valuable community resource in its own way, and each farmers’ market had been able to increase its number of vendors in the 2019 growing season—perhaps indi indicating that, although there are fewer markets, there are more local farmers able to supply fruits, meats, honey and vegetables to what appears to be a rising demand. For example, the Sparks United Methodist Church Farmers’ Market—in its 20th season—added four vendors and two food trucks this year in response to heightened community interest in 2018. Here, I’ve profiled the three farmers’ markets I found to offer the most comprehensive and diverse group of people, produce and activities.
Hosted by Slow Foods Lake Tahoe, the Truckee Community Farmers’ Market welcomes close to 15 vendors and live music from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. each Sunday. I spoke with the Truckee Community Farmers’ Market’s Coordinator, McKenna Bean, who filled me in on her organization’s mission. “Slow Food promotes localism,” Bean said. “All of our vendors are [from within] 100 miles or less of here, so it’s a very personal foodshed.” It’s worth noting that the market’s website puts that radius at 125 miles—not 100. Nonetheless, the mileage is still impressive considering Truckee and the Donner Pass are 6000 feet above sea level. My first takeaway was the absence of craft vendors and artisans, which gave me a stronger appreciation for the available produce. Given the high altitude and few vendors, I was worried that the market wouldn’t have a great deal of variety. But, despite a lack of booths, there was fresh fish, wine, a wide variety of mushrooms, red meat and the expected cast of fruits and vegetables (salad greens, peaches, carrots, etc.). The Little Roots Farm stand highlighted the market’s diversity, boasting more than 15 varieties of mushrooms, along with an assortment of edible flowers and microgreens, which are shoots of vegetables that are harvested just after the seed has germinated and the first leaves have developed. “It’s more or less a labor of love when you’re growing food, especially in a harsh envi environment like this,” said Todd Karol, a farmer with Little Roots.
Esmeralda Farmers’ Market
1604 Esmeralda Ave., Minden Tuesdays, 4 to 8 p.m, through Sept. 24 Even before making my way toward the farmers’ market I had come to explore, I found that Minden’s proud, American Craftsman-like homes, tidy streets and beautiful views of the Carson Valley make the 45-minute drive from Reno well worthwhile.
