Market offers food vendors, arts and entertianment this
summer
Hollister residents can once more get fresh produce, flowers and
other snacks every Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. since the
Hollister Downtown Farmers’ Market officially reopened May 21.
Market offers food vendors, arts and entertianment this summer
Hollister residents can once more get fresh produce, flowers and other snacks every Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. since the Hollister Downtown Farmers’ Market officially reopened May 21.
This year low-income residents might be able to use food stamps at the downtown market, though the option won’t be available right away.
“We’re hoping by the end of the season,” said Sharlene Van Rooy, the Farmers’ Market manager.
Food stamp customers would exchange money from their electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card for scrip, said Van Rooy.
“Scrip is the wooden tokens that we exchange for EBT,” Van Rooy said. “We just need a sponsor. It’s going to be about $300.”
The market is expected to stay open through August.
“I’m excited,” Van Rooy said. “The community has been working on it for the last four months, meeting and trying to take into account everyone’s concerns.”
The San Benito County Farm Bureau is sponsoring the farmer’s market this year, Van Rooy said.
“That’s a big deal,” Van Rooy said. “We’ve never had a sponsor.”
There will be 18 farmers at the market.
“That’s about average for us,” Van Rooy said. “Most of them are from this valley, either the Salinas Valley or Hollister.”
Only two or three farmers are coming from the San Joaquin Valley.
In addition, five food vendors will have booths.
“We do have a new pastry bread person,” Van Rooy said. “Vertigo Coffee from San Juan Bautista is new. There are some artists that are participating, but not every single day.”
The layout will be different this year.
“We have the nonprofits and entertainment on the north end of the grassy lot, so Mansmith’s moving onto the concrete,” Van Rooy said. “You’ll still see the smoke from the cookers.”
Mansmith’s is known for its tri-tip sandwiches, chicken, ribs and garlic bread.
There will be an information booth at the Farmers’ Market.
“If they want to stop and talk to us, we are going to take some surveys,” Van Rooy said. “There is always room for improvement.”
