The open market: It’s a scene found in every country in the
world and one that, each summer, comes here as the Downtown
Hollister Farmers’ Market.
The open market: It’s a scene found in every country in the world and one that, each summer, comes here as the Downtown Hollister Farmers’ Market.
Rows of booths stacked with locally grown tomatoes, mushrooms, cherries and apricots sit among smoky barbecues and colorful art displays. And throughout it all, the age-old bustle of shoppers inspecting squash and neighbors discussing the weather fills the air with the happy din of local commerce.
Everett Sparling, a cowboy at Morris Grassfed Beef, was standing in front of coolers packed with beef from TLC Ranch. He explained to an interested family that while grass-fed beef may taste slightly “gamey,” most people don’t notice and the beef is much healthier than meat from corn-fed cows.
“It’s important to come to events like this to get your name out and be part of the community,” Sparling said.
Dick Swank, owner of Swank Farms, had one of the largest booths – laden with fruits, veggies and homemade salsa. He said “going green” has become so important in today’s market that anyone who is not working to buy local products with an environmentally conscious message is bound to get left behind by companies that do.
Taz Waller and Katy Burke were visiting their daughter in Hollister all the way from Seabring, Fla., and said they seek out local farmers’ markets wherever they go.
“You get fresher food that’s mostly organic and that’s very important to me,” Burke said.
The smell of cooking meats led straight to Mansmith Barbecue where a massive grill was set up with tri-tip steak sizzling on top. Owner Mike Mansmith watched carefully over the grill.
“The farmers’ market adds life back to a town that’s dying,” he said. “It’s a great way to get people downtown and actually give them something to do.”
Allen Ritter, the former Hollister airport manager and current airport commissioner, had bags loaded with squash, carrots, cherries and peas at the market. He said he, along with his wife, started the farmers’ market some 15 years ago and that he’s proud to see it continue.
“(The farmers’ market) is a community place that people can come to socialize and support community building,” he said. “I’m proud to see how far it has come over the years.”
