October 1, 2004

Willow Glen Farmers Market offers bounty of treats

By Carol Rosen
Editor

The Willow Glen Farmers’ Market continues to bring all sorts of treats to its shoppers. On a recent Saturday in September, Willow Glen Elementary School held a book fair, one of three the school’s PTA will hold this year. On the other side of the playground, Radio Rail, a local band featuring David Borough, Jackie Loken and Walt Gafvert, played tunes to keep the place humming.

Rose Silver (left), from Willow Glen discusses vegetables with Shoni Fee (center) and Matthias Lehmann from Live Earth Farm in Watsonville.

In the midst of all this music and learning, various farmers displayed their produce including flowers, vegetables and fruits. Other stalls featured various breads and a Russian restaurant from Watsonville offered European and Slavic delicacies.

This is the market’s eighth year. It’s been open since April and will remain open every Saturday through November. Located in the parking lot/playground at Willow Glen Elementary School, the market is open between 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The community market offers fresh-picked vine and tree-ripened seasonal, organic and non-organic fruits and vegetables grown by local farmers. Unlike grocery stores, this farmers’ market allows buyers to meet the people growing the produce and ask questions about the fruits and vegetables and how best to prepare and store the items.

Farmers enjoy sharing information about their farming and growing practices.

Besides a wide variety of seasonal fruits and vegetables, the market also offers food booths including breads, pastries, pasta, sausage, gourmet dips, fish, hot blintzes, Indian food, plants, flowers, soaps and local artisans with unusual handmade jewelry and other items. It even has a resident tool sharpener, who is also a horticulturist who often has provided advice on pruning and shaping backyard trees.

The market throughout its seven months hosts special events that teach local families the chance to learn about the importance of sustainable agriculture. If fresh picked seasonal fruits and vegetables are to continue to be part of our food world, local communities need to connect with local farmers. For those committed to supporting sustainable agriculture, the Willow Glen Farmers’ Market has an active Community Supported Agriculture program established and managed by Live Earth Farm in Watsonville.

For more information about the Willow Glen Farmers’ Market, please contact South Bay Farmers’ Markets at (408) 353-4293.