New farmers market opens in Rohnert Park New farmers market opens in Rohnert Park

In the ever-expanding field of farmers markets in Sonoma County, it’s hard to fathom that there would be room for another one.

But last Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the first year-round certified farmer’s market launched in Rohnert Park at 500 City Center Drive, the same location as the town’s popular Friday Night Farmer’s Market.

As the executive director of the Agricultural Community Events Farmers Markets, which oversees 12 markets in the North Bay including the two in Rohnert Park, Kelly Smith views the burgeoning trend as a healthy option for people looking for fresh food as well as for human connection.

“What makes a farmers market so successful is that it’s a great place to have community,” Smith said. “We all strive to find a way to get out of our homes and connect with our neighbors and share time together.”

Unlike many other forms of entertainment, the markets provide an affordable outing for the whole family, with the cost limited only by your own shopping list and how loudly your tummy is rumbling.

“We’re expecting 40 to 50 vendors, mostly from Sonoma County,” Smith said of Rohnert Park’s year-round market. “We’ll also have a variety of hot foods for brunch and lunch.”

Sushi burrito

Hot food vendors will include La Selva BBQ, which serves barbecued chicken, pupusas (filled masa cakes) and aqua frescas; Russotti’s Italian Hot Dogs, which grills up sausages from Niman Ranch; and Sushi Shoubu, best known for its inspired Japanese Sushi Burrito.

“He has a new food truck,” Smith said of owner Takeshi Uchida. “I’m interested to see how he will change up his menu.”

Some of the popular artisans and farmers who will set up booths include Achadinha Cheese Company of Petaluma, which makes artisan cheeses; Happy Hens Farm of Petaluma, which raises meat; and Twin Dog Farms, a newcomer from Penngrove that grows lettuces and greens, plus melons and peppers in the summer.

The new market is expected to meet the pent-up demand for fresh, spring produce - think fava beans, strawberries and artichokes now ripening in the North Bay’s raised beds.

“Right now, we’re still in citrus and kale,” Smith said. “And we’re getting a little bored.”

Like Mother Nature herself, the farmers market always holds a few surprises. From a busking marimba player to a new crop of local blueberries, you never know what - or who - you are going to encounter on your stroll.

In addition to a jumpy house and face-painting for kids, the Rohnert Park Farmers Market will provide live music each Sunday to add to the overall ambiance.

“The music can fill the air and makes people more comfortable,” Smith said. “We want people to linger and have a coffee and a pastry, or have some lunch. We don’t want them to feel rushed.”

Cooking classes

There will also be free cooking classes on a monthly basis. Today, Cyrelle McDonald will teach kids how to use farmers market produce to make delicious snacks at home.

“It’s more work, but it can be a great tool to have, and it helps farmers sell their products,” Smith said. “How do I use kohlrabi, and what the heck is kohlrabi anyway?”

An array of packaged food producers, from The Hummus Guy to Tre Sorrelle chocolates, round out the food booths. There will also be a few arts and crafts vendors selling handicrafts like candles, soap, jewelry and ceramics.

The idea behind the new market came from the City of Rohnert Park, which was looking for somebody to run a year-round market to supplement the city’s seasonal Friday Night Market.

“We’re hoping to make it unique and different from the Friday market, but as exciting as that one,” Smith said. “I look forward to it evolving and growing into itself.”

She also oversees the Thursday night market in Cotati’s La Plaza Park, which opens June 5; the year-round Wednesday and Saturday morning markets at the Santa Rosa Veterans Building; the Sunday afternoon market in Kenwood’s Plaza park, which opens June 1; the year-round Tuesday morning market on the Petaluma East Side; the Saturday afternoon market in Petaluma’s Walnut Park, which opens May 17; and the Wednesday evening market on Second Street in downtown Petaluma, opening June 4.

The Friday Night Market in Rohnert Park will begin on June 5.

For a complete list of Sonoma County Certified Farmer’s Markets, go to sonoma-county.org/agcomm/farmers_mkts.htm.

Staff writer Diane Peterson can be reached at 521-5287 or diane.peterson@pressdemocrat.com.

In the ever-expanding field of farmers markets in Sonoma County, it’s hard to fathom that there would be room for another one.

But last Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the first year-round certified farmer’s market launched in Rohnert Park at 500 City Center Drive, the same location as the town’s popular Friday Night Farmer’s Market.

As the executive director of the Agricultural Community Events Farmers Markets, which oversees 12 markets in the North Bay including the two in Rohnert Park, Kelly Smith views the burgeoning trend as a healthy option for people looking for fresh food as well as for human connection.

“What makes a farmers market so successful is that it’s a great place to have community,” Smith said. “We all strive to find a way to get out of our homes and connect with our neighbors and share time together.”

Unlike many other forms of entertainment, the markets provide an affordable outing for the whole family, with the cost limited only by your own shopping list and how loudly your tummy is rumbling.

“We’re expecting 40 to 50 vendors, mostly from Sonoma County,” Smith said of Rohnert Park’s year-round market. “We’ll also have a variety of hot foods for brunch and lunch.”

Hot food vendors will include La Selva BBQ, which serves barbecued chicken, pupusas (filled masa cakes) and aqua frescas; Russotti’s Italian Hot Dogs, which grills up sausages from Niman Ranch; and Sushi Shoubu, best known for its inspired Japanese Sushi Burrito.

“He has a new food truck,” Smith said of owner Takeshi Uchida. “I’m interested to see how he will change up his menu.”

Some of the popular artisans and farmers who will set up booths include Achadinha Cheese Company of Petaluma, which makes artisan cheeses; Happy Hens Farm of Petaluma, which raises meat; and Twin Dog Farms, a newcomer from Penngrove that grows lettuces and greens, plus melons and peppers in the summer.

The new market is expected to meet the pent-up demand for fresh, spring produce - think fava beans, strawberries and artichokes now ripening in the North Bay’s raised beds.

“Right now, we’re still in citrus and kale,” Smith said. “And we’re getting a little bored.”

Like Mother Nature herself, the farmers market always holds a few surprises. From a busking marimba player to a new crop of local blueberries, you never know what - or who - you are going to encounter on your stroll.

In addition to a jumpy house and face-painting for kids, the Rohnert Park Farmers Market will provide live music each Sunday to add to the overall ambiance.

“The music can fill the air and makes people more comfortable,” Smith said. “We want people to linger and have a coffee and a pastry, or have some lunch. We don’t want them to feel rushed.”

There will also be free cooking classes on a monthly basis. Today, Cyrelle McDonald will teach kids how to use farmers market produce to make delicious snacks at home.

“It’s more work, but it can be a great tool to have, and it helps farmers sell their products,” Smith said. “How do I use kohlrabi, and what the heck is kohlrabi anyway?”

An array of packaged food producers, from The Hummus Guy to Tre Sorrelle chocolates, round out the food booths. There will also be a few arts and crafts vendors selling handicrafts like candles, soap, jewelry and ceramics.

The idea behind the new market came from the City of Rohnert Park, which was looking for somebody to run a year-round market to supplement the city’s seasonal Friday Night Market.

“We’re hoping to make it unique and different from the Friday market, but as exciting as that one,” Smith said. “I look forward to it evolving and growing into itself.”

She also oversees the Thursday night market in Cotati’s La Plaza Park, which opens June 5; the year-round Wednesday and Saturday morning markets at the Santa Rosa Veterans Building; the Sunday afternoon market in Kenwood’s Plaza park, which opens June 1; the year-round Tuesday morning market on the Petaluma East Side; the Saturday afternoon market in Petaluma’s Walnut Park, which opens May 17; and the Wednesday evening market on Second Street in downtown Petaluma, opening June 4. The Friday Night Market in Rohnert Park will begin on June 5.

For a complete list of Sonoma County Certified Farmer’s Markets, go to sonoma-county.org/agcomm/farmers_mkts.htm.

Staff writer Diane Peterson can be reached at 521-5287 or diane.peterson@pressdemocrat.com.