First farmers market generates positive response

The first Plumas Lake farmers market opened this past weekend and was greeted with an overwhelmingly positive response by local residents.

With peaches, blackberries and vegetables of many varieties for purchase, people were leaving with bags full of fresh produce that came from local farms and crops right in the area.

"We wanted to start things slowly," said Dan Silva, market coordinator.

Dan and his wife, Candace are old hands at running seasonal farmers markets and currently help run the one in Yuba City. They started planting the seed for a market in the neighborhood last year by conducting an informal survey to gage the responses of residents. Once they sensed that the community would be behind it, Dan worked with Yuba County Supervisor Mary Jane Griego to get the ball rolling.

"The response was overwhelming with people really wanting something like this here," added Silva.

For the first weekend the market coincided with another event in the community that was promoting a fundraiser, which helped foot traffic. But even prior to the other event starting, people were coming out for the fresh produce and breads.

"We were a bit nervous when we arrived at 7 and no one was around," said Silva. "But as soon as 8 o'clock came around, people were coming constantly."

Four vendors came out for the first weekend, including a fresh baked bread vendor. Silva is hopeful that as the summer continues more vendors will participate. He's also working with some local restaurants to bring out some food, including Mexican and Indian.

The market, which was open until noon, will continue to expand by offering more varieties of fruits and vegetables throughout the summer. The Saturday morning event could run all the way through the end of October if it's an Indian summer, Silva said.

"You're going to get your finest here," said Silva.

Other ideas the organizing group are considering are to host some cooking competitions or cooking demonstrations during the market and to create a Web site that will feature local growers and recipes that residents can download.

KNOW AND GO
• What: Plumas Lake Farmers Market
• When: Saturdays, 8 a.m. until noon through mid- or late October
• Where: Eufay Woods Park on the corner of Zanes Drive and River Oaks Blvd.

Plumas Lake Life correspondent Michele Perrault can be reached at 483-3664 or e-mail her at mperrault@plumaslakelife.com