Not every farmers’ market has a motto, but Puente does things differently. Pescadero Grown! Certified Community Farmers’ Market returns Thursday, June 5 with a new motto: “Growing up strong and healthy on the South Coast.”
The market, open from 3-7 p.m. every Thursday through Halloween, offers the only locally grown, affordable produce within walking distance for many South Coast families. Puente is proud to make food affordable to low-income locals through government programs — WIC and CalFresh – as well as those who may be eligible for Puente’s special Pescadero Grown! Tokens program, which matches a maximum of $10 worth of purchases each week.
The market’s opening day is always a big celebration, and this year is no exception. Puente will mark the start of the summer’s harvest season with DJ Larry Trujillo and his Chicano-oldies-classic playlist; face painting; hands-on art projects for kids; and raffle prize giveaways every 30 minutes. Some of the children who participate in Puente’s Zumba classes will also give a short (and adorable) demonstration.
Puente’s ever-popular Bike Booth will return to offer free bicycle repair to the whole community.
From beans and kale to beef, eggs and strawberries, the South Coast’s most beloved farms will be on hand to supply every aspect of the perfect meal – all with the freshest ingredients, grown less than 25 miles away.
Farmers’ Market Manager Charlea Binford says shoppers can expect to see some familiar vendors this year, as well as some new ones. Regular participants include Fly Girl Farm, Blue House Farm, and Farmageddon. Other, including Del Sur Farm, Echo Valley Farm, Markegard Family Grass-Fed and Leftcoast Grassfed, will appear with some frequency.
“We’re really thankful to have them, and we encourage our local community to support South Coast farmers and producers by buying their products,” says Binford.
Puente is excited to announce that an additional local farm will be joining the fun this year. Tunitas Creek Kitchen will be selling its homemade jams and jellies “I’m really looking forward to coming to the Pescadero Grown! Farmers’ Market,” says Suzie Trexler, co-founder of Tunitas Creek Kitchen. “I make small batch jams, mostly using produce from the farm that my husband and I manage. To start, there will be plenty of strawberry and rhubarb variations, and later in the season I’ll have raspberry jam, pear jam, apple butter and quince jelly.” They’re also expecting to bring eggs to market as well.
Growing up “strong and healthy” in Pescadero means eating well, but it also involves a commitment to health. This year Puente will continue its health care outreach campaign with a weekly health theme at the farmers’ market. Each week, the market will highlight a health care provider like Sonrisas Community Dental Center, which will do free dental screenings and hand out toothpaste and floss. Pescadero’s local San Mateo County firefighters will come to the market to take blood pressure readings.
“Health education in general in this community is important. Almost everyone here is related to someone who works on a farm, but not everyone is eating fresh produce. We’re focused on making it more accessible and cheaper for them,” says Binford.
Locals and farmers, thriving together – that’s a mission worth fighting for. Join us on June 5!
For more information about the market including joining as a vendor or playing music, contact Charlea Binford by email at cbinford@mypuente.org
