|
Pictured above is just a small sample of what you will find when attending the Farmers Market on Santa Barbara Street (Depot area). Photo by Don Johnson
|
Farmers Market each Wednesday
April 21, 2004
First of the season: Farmers’ Market welcomed back by happy shoppers
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula TimesThere were some new additions and many of the same merchants as last year, all proving to be popular with happy shoppers at the first Farmers’ Market of the outdoor shopping season.Held at on Santa Barbara Street next to the Railroad Plaza, Wednesday’s Farmers’ Market featured a Jolly Jump for the kids, fresh baked goods, produce, specialty citrus, fresh cut flowers, tri-tip and tamales, coffees both hot and iced and gourmet hotdogs among other goodies. Tall flags waved in the breeze along the Depot train platform beckoning 10th Street passersby.“We’re glad it’s back,” said Alice Mensing who was shopping with her husband Bill, both carrying bags loaded with fresh produce and popcorn, among other Farmers’ Market items.Many of the vendors said they were glad to be back, even if business wasn’t brisk for the first market of the season.“They always start slow and then more and more people realize you’re here,” said one who was busy making tri-tip sandwiches, burritos and even full dinners. “But actually, it’s busier than I expected.”The tamale booth next door also had a line of people drawn by the aroma of the handful of varieties being sold.Like the tri-tip and tamale vendors, many sellers had booths at last year’s Farmers’ Market.
The live plant stand featured magnificent orchids at reasonable places as well as a variety of unusual plants, while the nearby booth offering cut flowers remained popular with shoppers.“It’s going really well, even for the first one of the season,” said Community Services Director Brian Yanez. “Although the market didn’t start until 4 p.m., we had people lining up at the booths at 3:30.”As the afternoon progressed more and more cars of shoppers pulled into the city parking lot on Railroad Avenue.The Farmers’ Market will be held each Wednesday through October 29.For more information on the Farmers’ Market or on becoming a market vendor, call Yanez at 933-4216 or the Market Manager at 216-5220.