After a recent trip to New York, I’m even more appreciative of the bounty of our county. Nowhere better is that represented, than in the growing number of farm markets throughout the region. BiteClub’s found several new(ish) markets you’ll want to explore as well as a list of established markets throughout the week. In the summer months, you can grab some fresh produce, prepared meals, bread, food trucks, cheese, honey and at least a hundred other reasons to love our county every single day. Except Monday. Because we all need a day off.
Worth a look: One of the newest markets is the fledgling Tuesday Evening Community Market at the Santa Rosa Veteran’s Building. Founded by the owners of the Red Rose Cafe, proceeds benefit the non-profit Entrepreneurs of Tomorrow. Among the participants, Fish On Chips, Willie Bird’s Dad and Son’s Barbeque, California Funnel Cake and Red Rose Cafe. Keep in mind that some of these markets are seasonal, and only run through the summer and fall, so check ahead.
BiteClub is also a huge fan of the West End Market, now in its second year, but a bit of a neighborhood secret. The Sunday morning market has been an incubator for young farmers and aspiring chefs, giving it a special energy.
Also in its second year is the Thursday Night Street Fair at Sebastopol’s Barlow. The event combines food vendors (BBQ to Indian), crafts and music in the still-growing Barlow Center, host to Zazu Kitchen, Village Bakery, Woodfour Brewing and many other tasty restaurants.
Here are a variety of other markets-from Tuesday through Sunday-to give a try.
Tuesday: Tuesday Evening Community Market (5-8:30p.m., Santa Rosa Veteran’s Memorial parking lot); Valley of the Moon Farm Market (Sonoma Plaza, 5:30p.m. to dusk); Forestville Farm Market (4-7p.m., Russian River Vineyards)
Wednesday: Wednesday Night Market 5 to 8:30p.m., downtown Santa Rosa); Santa Rosa Community Farmers’ Market, (8:30a.m. to 1p.m., Veteran’s Building), Santa Rosa Original Certified Market (8:30a.m. to noon, Wells Fargo Center); Healdsburg Farm Market, (3:30p.m. to 6p.m., North and Vine St.), Petaluma Farmer’s Market (2 to 5:30p.m., Theater District)
Thursday: The Barlow Street Fair (4 to 8p.m.,6770 McKinley St., Sebastopol); Windsor Market (10:30a.m. to 1p.m., Windsor Town Green).
Friday: Rohnert Park, City Center Plaza (5-8p.m.); Occidental (4p.m. to dusk); Cloverdale (5:30p.m. to dusk, North Cloverdale Blvd.)
Saturday: Healdsburg Farm Market, (9a.m. to noon, North and Vine St.); Santa Rosa Community Farmers’ Market, 8:30a.m. to 1p.m., Veteran’s Building); Santa Rosa Original Certified Market (8:30a.m. to noon, Wells Fargo Center); Petaluma Farmer’s Market (2:30 to 5:30p.m., Theater District).
Sunday: Windsor Market (10:30a.m. to 1p.m., Windsor Town Green); West End Market (9:30a.m. to 2p.m., Donahue St., Santa Rosa), Sebastopol Farm Market (10a.m. to 1:30p.m.), Oakmont (Oakmont Dr., 9a.m. to noon).