Market Report

A market with purpose
Summer is almost here! Two telltale signs in this town tell us so: The Healdsburg Farmers’ Market is in full swing and the beloved Future Farmers Twilight Parade is this week. In all the spring activity, a little birdie told me a rumor. The word on the street is that the Healdsburg Farmers’ Market is an elitists’ market; catering to foodies and chefs … that there is no place here for just the everyday folk.
So I have to ask myself: The Healdsburg Farmers market trucks in fresh produce to the community … but does that mean the whole community? Or is it only trucked in for the select few? Is the Healdsburg Farmers’ Market really just a façade to support the image of our farming roots? Or does it really serve to feed the people?
Here’s how I answered myself: We have around 60 farmers and producers at the market. Not one of them would consider themselves a farmer or producer for only the privileged. There is humility to those that are at the mercy of the land and the seasons and that humility is palpable in our market. I urge you to come and meet these farmers and producers.
And I remind myself … The Healdsburg Farmers’ Market works in conjunction with some fantastic organizations.
Farm to Pantry is a nonprofit organization that gleans produce and delivers it to the Healdsburg Food Pantry, which distributes it to families in need – The Healdsburg Farmers’ Market is proudly a gleaning site.
The Healdsburg Farmers’ Market is also a member of Farmers’ Market L.I.F.E. (Local Incentive for Food and Economy). Also known as a matching program, this allows us to continue to match EBT funds. EBT is a subsidy that helps individuals and families buy groceries. Recently through Farmers’ Market L.I.F.E., we are part of a USDA grant which helps us in our efforts to continue to match EBT funds. That means for every EBT dollar spent at the market we can match it, helping people gain more access to healthy, local food. There is also The Friends of the Healdsburg Farmers’ Market, working with us on many of our goals, some of which include education and outreach, establishing a kid’s corner at the market, further establishing our EBT matching funds and increasing the popularity of our Wednesday market.
Yes, we all know and love that Healdsburg has been on many of the top 10 greatest towns list. Yes, we know and love that we have many brilliant chefs and awesome restaurants here in our gorgeous little town. But we also know and love our home teams. And we know and love our parade. And we know and love our neighbors and community members. So, is the Healdsburg Farmers’ Market just for the elite, foodies and chefs? No!
The Healdsburg Farmers’ Market is not just a decoration in our charming wine country town. We are here to feed the people. We are here to celebrate our farmers and producers. The ritual of sustenance is a negotiation between the land, the farmer and the plate. And everyone can pull up a chair, as everyone is welcome at this table.
Future tables that you are all invited to include: Friends of the Healdsburg Farmers’ Market fundraising dinner, featuring chefs Doug Keane and Miles Thompson, on June 10 at SHED at 6 p.m. For more information check out fohfm.org; Farm to Pantry’s first annual “Summer Supper in the Vineyards” featuring chefs Dino Bugica and Kyle Connaughton is June 13 at Medlock Ames at 6 p.m. For more details, visit summersupper.brownpapertickets.com.
Kenny Lowe is the manager of the Healdsburg Farmers’ Market.