Hollister
– The Hollister Farmers’ Market started Wednesday, offering up
fresh products to newcomers and seasoned market goers alike.
Hollister – The Hollister Farmers’ Market started Wednesday, offering up fresh products to newcomers and seasoned market goers alike.
Sharlene Van Rooy, the market’s manager, said attendance was slow for the first day. Attendance in recent years has dropped, but it hasn’t stopped vendors from coming back for the summer.
Paul Hain, who sells organic poultry and walnuts at the market, sat on the tailgate of his truck Wednesday, watching over an iced tub of organic chickens.
The chickens were harvested that morning in Tres Pinos, Hain said.
“If we want the local people to support local farms, we need to provide a convenient way for them to get the products,” Hain said.
The market is a way for people to learn where their food comes from, support the local economy and keep San Benito County rural.
“You’re probably getting something that’s higher quality than what’s in the store,” Hain said. “You’re recycling your money into the local economy.”
There were several new additions to the market, including a flavored shaved ice stand, a fresh cut flower stand, Heritage Acre Family Farms and a local olive oil producer.
A.J. Moley, a 58-year-old Hollister resident, was offering his inaugural olive oil press from his company Sons of Sicily. Moley owns 16 acres of 1,300 Tuscan variety olive oil trees in the hills south of Hollister.
The first-time vendor pressed his first batch of extra-virgin olive oil in November 2006. Moley began the company in homage to his Italian-born grandfather, who dreamed of farming grapes and olives in California but never did.
Moley grew up farming and attending markets as a boy in upstate New York. The olive oil gives him a chance to get back to his roots.
“I’m learning and I’m having fun,” Moley said.
The market was a new experience for some customers as well.
Josh Sanchez, an 18-year-old Hollister resident, stood in front of the Kingsburg, Calif.-based Hamada Farms stand Wednesday afternoon, holding a bag of cherries he’d purchased.
It was Sanchez’s first market.
“I saw it on my way back from Gav,” he said.
Sanchez said he appreciates being able to buy local produce.
The Gavilan College freshman expects he’ll be back to shop throughout the summer.
Some familiar shoppers also stopped by.
Marie Gough, the office coordinator for the San Benito County American Red Cross, was picking up some fresh tomatoes and lettuce on her way home Wednesday afternoon.
“I’m here every week,” Gough said. “I wish they had this thing year-round. There’s nothing like fresh produce.”
Gough has been attending the market every year since she moved to Hollister five years ago. Gough said she likes the one-on-one interaction with the farmers.
“Sometimes, not always, you get to know the farmers,” Gough said. “They’ll bring you special items.”
Michael Van Cassell covers public safety for the Free Lance. He can be reached at 831-637-5566 ext. 335 or [email protected].
