Fresh: Occidental market ending with a seasonal twist

Two of Sonoma County’s seasonal farmers markets wrap up their 2014 season this week. The Bodega Bay Farmers Market held its final market of the year on Sunday, October 26, and several smaller seasonal markets have already closed.

Tuesday, October 28, is the final evening for the Valley of the Moon Certified Farmers Market, which takes place from 5:30 p.m. until dusk at the town plaza in downtown Sonoma. This market is at least as much a street fair and community gathering as it is a farmers market, so this is your last chance of the year to savor its spirit. It will reopen in early May, 2015. The Friday morning Sonoma Valley Farmers Market continues year-round in the parking lot of Depot Park on First St. West.

The big closing this week is the Occidental Bohemian Farmers Market, as it takes place on Halloween. This lovely market always ends its season with a Harvest Celebration but this is only the third time the holiday has fallen on a Friday since the market opened in 2002. Expect all manner of ghosts, goblins, witches, wizards and more contemporary creatures in addition to a wide array of fall and winter produce, delicious foods to enjoy on the spot and take home. Because we are still in daylight saving time, it’s not fully dark until after 6 p.m., making the market a great stop with your youngsters on the way to trick-or-treating, especially if you prefer night to have fallen before the ritual candy indulgence begins.

Produce vendors include Armstrong Valley Farm, Bohemian Collective, Fifteen Gates, Green Star Farm, Green Valley CSA, New Family Farm, Rainbow’s End Farm, Singing Frogs Farm and Star Mountain Gardens, offering everything from the last of the year’s tomatoes and peppers to lettuces and other salad greens, broccoli, cauliflower, kales and chards, root vegetables, specialty greens and microgreens, potatoes, fresh flowers, dried flowers and more.

Several vendors have eggs, from both chickens and ducks. Valley Ford Cheese Co. is here, too.

Bloomfield Bees has honey and honey products. Victorian Farmsteads has grass-fed meats and pastured eggs. La Vida Buena Nursery offers plant starts for winter crops and some perennials. Capay Gold Olive Oil attends this market and if you’re looking for bread, you’ll find the fabulous Raymond’s Bakery of Cazadero here. Bella Rosa sells coffee and there are delicate little cookies from Cookie...Take a Bite! Petaluma Pie Co. has both sweet and savory pies.

For foods to enjoy on the spot, Kashaya’s Brick Oven Pizza, Lata’s Indian Cuisine and the Green Grocer are all cooking up their seasonal specialties.

One of the things I really love about the market is its commitment to reducing waste. Kim Dow, the market’s manager, explains that paper plates and to-go containers are the single biggest source of waste at markets. Shoppers are encouraged to bring their own washable plates, flatware and re-usable containers and those who do are rewarded with a raffle ticket from those prepared-food vendors they patronize. A weekly raffle offers gift certificates to local businesses, including Rocker Oysterfellers, Mombo’s Pizza, Osmosis Spa and others.

Because of its physical isolation and setting, nestled in downtown Occidental and surrounded by towering redwood trees, this market has a unique flair and it simply feels good to be there. If you haven’t visited yet this year, Friday from 4 p.m. until dusk is your last chance. The market will open for its 2015 season next June.

Occidental Bohemian Farmers Market, founded in 2002 and managed by Kim Dow, takes place on Fridays from 4 p.m. until dusk from June 1 through October 26. It is located on Bohemian Highway between First and Third streets in downtown Occidental. occidentalfarmersmarket.com

Michele Anna Jordan has written 17 books to date, including “Vinaigrettes and Other Dressings.” You’ll find her blog, “Eat This Now,” at pantry.blogs.pressdemocrat.com. Email Jordan at michele@saladdresser.com.