As I write this I’m getting ready for the July 3 market; on the cusp of our country’s anniversary. This year’s celebration has some of us waving flags vigorously, while others have theirs hidden in the closet. But one realm where we could likely all agree is that we live in an area of remarkable abundance.
Sonoma County fills me with gratitude for the gifts we’re continually given, and there’s no greater place for that awe than the markets. Mountains of magnificent produce, most of which is grown within 20 miles of the market, spill over the table tops. Fresh meat and seafood, baked goods and breads, cheeses and pastas, condiments and chocolate, even handmade craft, is so easily had right in our market every week, and is produced right here.
As the farmers unload their boxes, buckets and baskets in the morning, I see new, different, sometimes exotic and wonder: how did they grow that here? I think of the amount of hours they put into their crops, and what it must be like to do this farming thing for real, not just a few tomatoes in the backyard, but acres and acres of different vegetables, flowers and fruits.
How much love must go into the planning, seeding, harvesting; and how much money as well? This is a tenuous business, as any farmer will admit, but how invigorating it must be to see life being created in your fields.
Our market is a certified market. Too often people think this refers to organic certification. Although we have a large number of organic vendors, that’s not what a certified market is. Certified means the Department of Agriculture has determined that all the farms selling at the market are only selling produce they grow.
If they sell produce grown by others they must have certification for that as well. So you can know when you buy a peach from Middleton or Dry Creek, lettuce from Ridgeview or Front Porch and mushrooms from Duncan, that they are the growers.
Not long ago someone contacted me wanting to sell baskets filled with commercial goods at the market. I knew this wasn’t right for us, and had to explain to her why I felt that way. That inquiry sparked the decision that I want the whole market to be certified, not just the produce growers.
I want every vendor at the market to be the maker of the goods they’re selling, whether it’s olive oil or a ceramic mug. So her goodie baskets, no matter how alluring, are filled with things she didn’t make: it’s not what the Healdsburg Farmers’ Market is about.
This is another realm of gratitude for me, being able to build a market which supports these values. I ran another market for a season and quickly realized I was fighting an uphill battle with the board, as they allowed every form of vendor to come in; commercial, religious, political, imports and more. I felt embarrassed that this was my market. I feel only pride now, knowing that the Healdsburg Farmers’ Market is the opposite of this.
The market celebrates its 40th anniversary on July 14. We’ll have cake from Red Bird Bakery and sparkling cider. The Sonoma County Fair’s Traveling Fair will be there to delight us. “Mr. Healdsburg” Bob Baker will be doing balloon sculptures for miles, while his wife Janelle paints faces, and we’ll have other fun family goings-on as well. I hope you’ll come celebrate the agricultural heritage of our area and enjoy the bounty we’re so fortunate to have in our backyard.
Janet Ciel is the manager of the Healdsburg Farmers’ Market. She can be reached at [email protected].
