How many of you loyal patrons from last year have come away from
the farmers market asking
”
where’s the fresh premium fruits, melons, sausage and meat?
”
Those of you loyal patrons from last year (and there were
plenty) know what I’m talking about.
Dear Editor,
How many of you loyal patrons from last year have come away from the farmers market asking “where’s the fresh premium fruits, melons, sausage and meat?” Those of you loyal patrons from last year (and there were plenty) know what I’m talking about.
For starters, F&J Minazzoli Farms from Stockton. Fred and Joann are the vibrant, friendly, accommodating husband-wife duo. You haven’t forgotten the several varieties of premium peaches, plums, nectarines and cherries have you? What about those sweet juicy pluots and figs? They never had enough, particularly the low-acid varieties.
Keep in mind premium fresh fruit, low-acid, and organic are three different things. There is a huge populace of people who must have low-acid-only fruits and melons for a variety of stomach and intestinal disorders.
Next, Hanson Farms with their popular premium sweet melons and their huge brandywine, beefmaster and celebrity tomatoes.
Why isn’t Corralitos Market here, being represented by the ever-friendly, customer-pleasing Gene Cranford? Their truck never went home with left-overs, which means they sold all their marinated chicken, tri-tip, skirt steak, along with their ever popular sausage delights such as kobasica, Creole, venison and pepper jack, just to name a few.
What last year’s vendors brought to the market was three-fold. They brought an assortment of vendor choices, competition and balance. They brought crowd-pleasing, California grown, certified No. 1 premium fresh products not grown or raised in San Benito County to a populace of people unable to travel to them. They brought continually changing varieties weekly so there was always something new to look forward to and pique your curiosity.
A successful market must have a core and develop a strong continuos customer base. Customer base can be achieved by constant and timely advertising and by inviting and encouraging out-of-county vendors committed to bringing a variety of fresh products each week.
Last year, the market was under the Organization of Monterey Bay Certified Farmers Markets. This means all farmers who are members have a weekly market circuit available for them to follow if they so choose. If they’re invited to participate in an independent market, I believe that option is available to them.
If there is a vendor product you miss from last year, please call the Downtown Association at 636-8406 and let them be known. It would be their responsibility to invite new vendors.
Last year, I participated in all but two markets and my weekly spend was between $25 and $35.
Noreen Martin,
Hollister
