Did you remember the Windsor Farmers’ Market is open until Dec. 9, Sundays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine? Did you know that if it is raining the market sets up on the Windsor Library front porch?
So, if you don’t see us on the street, look for our signs, drive in and see vendors like Springhill Cheese, Duncan’s Mushrooms, Hector’s Honey, Blasi Ranch, Ridgeview Farms, West Dry Creek Apples, Ortiz Brothers Farms and BurtoNZ Bakery who usually always attend on rainy Sundays.
Local farmers and food producers need you to continue to shop at the market even though summer is over and school is back, plus you need to continue to purchase fresh-from-the-farm foods for your families. Shopping at a farmers market year round is good for everybody.
There are still lots of local farmers bringing beautiful late summer and fall produce to the market every Sunday. There are tables full of summer tomatoes, peppers, strawberries and even plums, grapes and mushrooms.
Fall produce is just coming in with yummy apples, pomegranates, Delicato squash, butternuts, acorns and pumpkins for holiday pies. Healthy greens grown year around with many farmers using hoop houses to protect from the early frost. You will find delicate lettuces, arugula, giant bunches of chard, kale and fresh herbs.
Winter cruciferous veggies like cauliflower and broccoli and freshly harvested potatoes are starting to show up. You can really taste the difference when these veggies are grown on small local farmers and your guests will too when you use them in your favorite holiday recipes.
Did you remember local preserved foods make great gifts and add something special to your meals?
Jams and jellies from Wine Country Preserves with flavors like Habanero Strawberry and Balsamic Fig. You will also find award-winning raspberry vinegar and jellies from F & B Farms, Flavored oils and balsamic vinegars from California Balsamics, Korean kimchi and hot sauces from Min Hee Hill Gardens and gluten-free Sonoma Smart croutons for snacking or sprinkling on salads.
If you are looking for something to help with digestion issues try the fantastic fermented/pickled veggies from Geyserville Gourmet. Cookies and chocolate always make things special, don’t miss a visit to Cookie…Take a bite! and Rainy Day Chocolates. Watch for gift packaging from all of these vendors, get your orders in early and give a piece of Sonoma County to friends and family. Shipping available.
Did you know that Takenoko Farms is at the market this year with Windsor-raised fresh frozen pork? Visit Windsor farmer Jeff weekly and bring home a local ham or pork roast. They also make bacon, chops and 8 different kinds of sausage, including breakfast sausage links or bulk. These happy Windsor pigs are fed local produce and remains from beer making to give the meat Takenoko’s signature tenderness.
18th Annual Pumpkin Jamboree, October 28th
The Windsor Farmers’ Market will be holding their biggest event of the year,The 18th Annual Pumpkin Jamboree on Sunday, Oct. 28 from 10 a.m to 1 p.m. This is a fun country jamboree featuring colorful fall produce and fun, free family activities. Kidz Dig It free Pumpkin Carving & Painting to the first 100 kids and build a scarecrow to take home, we bring all the stuff you need. There will be country games and crafts and a Halloween Costume Parade at 10:30 am. Meet at south east corner of the park and march through the market.
Shop the huge Windsor Garden Club Fall Plant Sale and purchase one of their famous succulent pumpkins. Mimosas & Marys with the Windsor Chamber of Commerce, free balloon animals with Oops the Clown, live music with New Skye Band and as always brunch and BBQ to eat in the park or to take home.
Local Artists’ Gift Show starts on October 28th
The Windsor Farmers’ Market is the place to shop for holiday gifts this year through Dec. 9. Special local artists are being brought in for your holiday gift shopping. These local artists and crafters offer everything from jewelry, quilts, yard art and pottery, to appliqued jean jackets for kids, wine barrel furniture, custom signs and shirts, whimsical hot pads and much more added weekly. Shop early because many of these vendors offer custom orders so that you can get just what you want. Be assured that these handmade items are made by the artist and/or their families.
Your local farmers and food producers are waiting for you at the Windsor market every Sunday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Hope to see you there.
Tina Castelli is the manager of the Windsor Certified Farmers’ Market.
