History

Santa Cruz Farmers’ Market came together in the Fall of 1990 after the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. In 1995, the Santa Cruz Farmers’ Market reorganized and became a non-profit under the name Santa Cruz Community Farmers’ Market (SCCFM). The market has grown from a small venue that showcased the best in local growers to a nationally recognized market, offering one of the largest farmers market selections of certified organic produce in California.

Our Sunday Live Oak/Eastside market got its start in 2000 and became a year round market in 2009. In 2004, our Westside Farmers’ Market debuted in the parking lot of the Old Wrigley Building, located on the far west end of town and has become a favorite of foodies and travelers coming down from San Francisco.

In the Winter of 2008, SCCFM entered in to talks with the Felton Certified Farmers’ Market about merging and in the spring of 2009, SCCFM became organizer of the market, which had been operating independently since 1987. The Scotts Valley Farmers’ Market was our fifth and last market and was developed with the City of Scotts Valley in the summer 2009.

Staff

Nesh Dhillon (Director)

Nesh (Naish) is responsible for overall organizational development and coordinates operations. He has served as director since 2003 and worked as an assistant manager since 2001.

Nesh grew up up in Oregon and graduated from the University of Oregon where he studied Sports Medicine and Chemistry. From an early age, he fostered a love for food and the importance of where it is sourced. His passion for the markets comes from the farms that make up this area, the food artisans that are reinventing the way we eat and the never ending support of the Santa Cruz community for their local food system. When he is not putting out fires in the market, he likes to escape to Baja with his wife to enjoy the lack of stimulus and rules.

Nicole Zahm, Education and Events Manager

Nicki Zahm coordinates our community outreach and education programs and also is one of the Downtown market’s managers. She also works part time for Route One Farm. Born and raised in Santa Cruz, she is excited to work in agriculture in this region – at the edge of the Pacific and near her family. Nicki’s professional efforts have focused on health in various capacities including HIV prevention, hospice care and eventually food systems. In 2008, like a slap upside the back of the head, Nicki was hit with inspiration while working with gardeners and farmers in Detroit. Seeing food systems as a powerful vehicle for community and ecological health, she has been committed ever since. Nicki received a BA in American Studies from the University of California at Santa Cruz and a dual MA in Social Work and Public Health in Michigan. She loves to dance, adventure with her sisters’ little ones and jump in the ocean. education@santacruzfarmersmarket.org

Sarah Daniel Thorp, Market Manager and Events Coordinator

Originally from Philadelphia, Sarah used her skateboard as a diving rod and her curiosity as her compass when she began traveling and touring the continental US twelve years ago. She spent periods of time in New England, stopped along the Eastern Seaboard, dillied in the Southwest, and dallied in the Pacific Northwest, and was fascinated by differing regional landscapes and cultures. She finds herself endlessly enamored of the mountains and coastlines of the state in which she is a resident. Sarah became heavily involved in social justice and horticulture at CCSF in San Francisco in 2006. She completed a small scale organic farming apprenticeship at Green Oaks Creek Farm in 08’, and has worked for various organic farms at farmers’ markets throughout the bay area for the past five years. She spent the last two years working with Urban Village Market Association and feels honored to be in her current position at SCCFM. Sarah believes that the complexities of contemporary social and environmental issues today can all be greatly impacted and transformed through sustainable agriculture. She believes whole heartedly in the power of local food production and economy; and she believes it is worth a lifetime of dedication.

Denise Vivar, Media and Public Relations

Denise Vivar takes the Markets’ mission and message to heart and to the community, promoting sustainability and conscious-community building through her contact with the media, local organizations and community members. She is a writer, speaker, artist and a full-fledged foodie. In her role as a voice for the SCCFM, Denise can be found behind the scenes at the market, organizing and promoting events. She holds a B.S. in Biology from Cal State University, Hayward. media@santacruzfarmersmarket.org

Darren Larkin, Office and Market Manager

Darren manages the Felton market and is also part of the crew that makes the Downtown market hum. He also works behind the scenes in the office and is our fix it all guy and when things break. Thanks Darren! When he is not busy in the markets, he spends his other days helping out at the Bike Church in Santa Cruz and building custom bikes.