Guide to 2016 Sonoma County farmers markets
From Petaluma to Cloverdale and from Bodega Bay to Sonoma Valley, Sonoma County farmers markets thrive as spring's harvest peaks. More than two dozen markets take place from May through August, with vendor tables overflowing and aisles crowded with shoppers filling bags and baskets with a diverse harvest. By the end of August, seasonal markets will begin winding down for the year; come December, there will be seven markets to keep us in local foods until the new season kicks off in early spring 2017.
Each market has its own character and the more geographically isolated it is, the more that character blossoms. Here's a synopsis.
Year round farmers markets
The Oakmont Certified Farmers Market, founded in the mid 1990s by Hilda Swartz, takes place on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon at 6585 Oakmont Drive in east Santa Rosa. This market reflects the Oakmont community, with residents providing live music, and vendors and shoppers greeting each other like long-time friends.
The Petaluma Eastside Certified Farmers Market, founded in 2012 and managed by Kelly Smith, takes place on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Deer Creek Village, 501 N. McDowell Avenue; communityfarmersmarkets.com. With last year's move from Lucchesi Park, this market now has a somewhat urban flair and provides a great shopping option to an under-served area of Petaluma and nearby Penngrove.
The Rohnert Park Certified Farmers Market, founded in 2015 and managed by Kelly Smith and James Fenton, takes place Fridays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at 500 City Center Drive; communityfarmersmarkets.com. Sonoma County's newest year-round market, with its open-air spaciousness and 40 vendors, was an instant hit with the community. This market also has a seasonal addition, running June 3 through Aug. 26, Fridays 2 p.m to 8 p.m.
The Santa Rosa Community Certified Farmers Market, founded in 2013 and managed by Kelly Smith and James Fenton, takes place on Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and on Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the east parking lot of the Veterans Building, 1351 Maple Avenue, Santa Rosa; communityfarmersmarkets.com. Under the guidance of Smith and Fenton, this market has blossomed in the long-time location of the original Santa Rosa farmers market, now located a few miles north. Highlights include a convenient location off Highway 12, a diverse array of vendors and colorfully adorned booths.
The Santa Rosa Original Certified Farmers Market, founded in 1978 and managed by Pegi Ball, takes place from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Wednesday and from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday in the west-side parking lot of the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts, 50 Mark West Spring Road; thesantarosafarmersmarket.com. The oldest market in Sonoma County, this weekly gathering is large and spacious, with tables for lingering, eating and listening to music, yet organized in such a way that music does not interfere with conversations with farmers. Its central location makes it a convenient destination for Healdsburg, Windsor, Forestville and Guerneville residents when seasonal markets close.
The Sebastopol Certified Farmers Market, founded in 1994 and managed by Paula Downing, takes place in the town plaza at McKinley and Petaluma avenues, on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; sebastopolfarmersmarket.org. This market also has a seasonal addition, Thursdays 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Aug 4 through October. Generations, tourists, cultures - from freewheeling hippies to buttoned-up conservative- and customers of all ages intersect at this colorful market, with its big stage, grand fountain and diverse vendors.
The Sonoma Valley Certified Farmers Market, founded in 1985 and managed by Hilda Swartz, takes place on Friday mornings from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the parking lot of Depot Park on First Street West, just north of the Sonoma Plaza; svcfm.org. Rustic, unhurried and located adjacent to a spacious park, this market encourages lingering after you've tucked your purchases in your car.
Seasonal farmers markets
Bodega Bay Certified Farmers Market, founded in 2011 and managed by Diana Bundy, takes place on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. from May 29 through the end of October at 2255 Highway One in Bodega Bay. Breezy, casual and friendly, this market, located in a large field, feels as if you are actually on a farm or ranch.
Cloverdale Community Market and Exchange, founded in 2014 and managed by Mike Morisette and Marne Depere, takes place on Fridays from 6 p.m. to dusk at 225 North Cloverdale Boulevard, next door to Plank Coffee. It will open June 3 and closes on Sept. 2. This market has a relaxed, intimate ambiance, grounded in ongoing interaction between vendors and regular customers.
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