News from the front line:

Happy Boy Farm which has been with us for almost 20 years is really coming on strong for the July 4th weekend. They have fresh organic corn, melons, potatoes and the start of their famous tomato selection. As always, they have a huge selection of greens, pre-washed lettuces, beets, cucumbers, peppers,basil,herbs,onions,eggplant and so much more. Get to the markets early for the best selection! Remember, Happy Boy sells at all three of our markets.

Dirty Girl Farm has returned to the Westside market and is located on the south end of the market next to Ridgecrest blueberries. They have also retooled their crop plan so they can participate in the Santa Cruz (Wednesday) market year round! Stop buy and try there specialty greens, beans, strawberries and root veggies.

ORGANIC CORN UPDATE: Pinnacle Farms (Santa Cruz market only), Happy Boy Farm (All three markets).

Sorenson Farm ( aka. Triple Delight Blueberries) will be ending their season at the Santa Cruz market Wednesday, July 2nd and will be replaced with by Ridgrecrest Farm which sells organic blueberries grown in the Santa Cruz mountains.

Molino Creek Co-Op. has returned to the Santa Cruz market and has been selling flowers and english snap peas on the back wall (next to Brokaw Nursery) for the last two weeks. They will be moving into the spot Hog Farm has been occupying for the last few months. If you do not see them on the back wall, check the third row. Joe Curry from Molino Crk. estimates mid to late July for their world famous dry-farmed early girl tomatoes.

The Live Oak Market is open for the 2008 season . The market starts at 10am and runs until 2pm.The market is opening a month early this year so the bulk of the produce will not be seen until late May, early June.

The Santa Cruz Farmers Market music series is up and running. We only offer music along with our cafe seating at our weekend markets: Westside and Live Oak. The music calendar has been updated and is current. We will update it through the summer…check the “google” calendar link we have in the upper left hand corner of the “What’s New” page.

Website news:

The SCCFM website is undergoing major changes this summer. We plan on giving you much more information about the individual members that participate in our markets along with links to important websites that help shoppers understand more about the food they eat and the farms they support. In addition, we will be providing interested parties detailed information about how to apply to the markets and what is required to get admission.

The SCCFM office number is 831-454-0566 or you can email us at manager@santacruzfarmersmarket.org.

***The Santa Cruz County Health Department does not allow animals in a Certified Farmers Market. If possible, please leave your pets at home. If you do decide to bring your pet, you will need to secure them outside of the market. This does not apply to service animals. Thank you.***

O.K. everybody it’s that time of year again…can you believe it? Fruit Season! Strawberries, cherries, peaches,plums and blueberries are all pouring into the market! Apricots will be trickling in to all three of our markets starting mid to late June.

Frog Hollow Farm from Brentwood, CA has returned for their 17th season selling the best in certified organic tree-ripened stonefruit, grapes and cherries. They only participate in the Santa Cruz market.

Ridgecrest Farm from the summit of the Santa Cruz mountains will be returning to the Santa Cruz market on July 2nd. They will be in the third row in the same spot that Triple Delight Blueberries has been selling.

Strawberries are tasting so good right now; there are many farms (Vasquez Farm,Windmill Farm,Live Earth Farm,Swanton Berry Farm and Dirty Girl Produce) to sample from so hit the markets and do your own taste-test.

Don’t forget to visit Hans and Heidi at H & H Fresh Fish to purchase the best in fresh fish, oysters, clams and salmon and other seafood items. H & H is now in all three of the Santa Cruz Community Farmers Markets. Hans is presently working on a variety of his own fish rubs and sauces. He should have his new creations available at the markets in 2008. Make sure to indulge at their oyster bar….the best in town!

Rain, wind or shine we will be here every Wednesday providing Santa Cruz with the best in local organic farmed goods!

Returning farms for Summer 2008:

Molino Creek Co-op

Rainbow Orchard (Blueberries)

Ridgecrest Farm (Blueberries)

Casalegno Family Farm (Santa Cruz tomatoes,basil,tree fruit,herbs and more)

Dirty Girl Produce (Speciality produce, strawberries,bushberries)

***The Santa Cruz County Health Department does not allow animals in a Certified Farmers Market. If possible, please leave your pets at home. If you do decide to bring your pet, you will need to secure them outside of the market. This does not apply to service animals. Thank you.***

Note: The Downtown Market will not be held Wednesday December 26 and January 2. The Santa Cruz Farmers Markets wishes you a very happy Holiday Season!

We have two markets open year round for your shopping convenience. The Downtown Santa Cruz Farmers’ Market is open rain or shine every Wednesday afternoon from 2:30pm to 6:30pm. Our weekend market is the Westside Farmers’ Market and it operates every Saturday morning from 9am to 1pm.

The Live Oak Market is closed for the season. It will reopen in the Spring of 2008. Check back for the start date. To find out more about the market in your neighborhood, click the buttons above. Or better, visit both markets for a continuous supply of the freshest, healthiest food around.

The market is located in the parking lot of the East Cliff Village Shopping Center at 15th and East Cliff (Portola). The market houses about 30 vendors at the peak of the season and offers cafe seating and live music every Sunday.

The market starts at 10am and runs until 2pm. Since the market opened a month early this year you will not see the bulk of the produce until late June.

We have a great line-up this year with a new dose of farms and non-farms along with all your old favorites. TLC Ranch will be adding the Live Oak market this season, selling their pasture raised eggs, pasture raised pork and also selling local 100% grass-fed beef. River Cafe and Cheese shop is has joined the Sunday venue; offering fresh baked goods,artisan breads,jams,olives and specialty brunch items. Along side Shady Todd’s espresso bar and coffee cart, Frog Hollow Farm and Pastries will be selling their fresh, tree-ripe fruit tarts and breakfast pastries. New this season will be H & H Fresh Fish and Conscious Creations Kitchen(currently at the Westside F.M.).

Featured Live Oak Vendors:

Conscious Creations Kitchen is the brain-child of local chef, Joshua Server. He has created a venue at the farmers market that uses produce from local farms, meats from organic and pasture-raised sources, farmers market eggs and fresh seafood. The result is a diverse and exciting menu that changes with the season and offers only the best in local fresh ingredients. To learn more: http://www.conscious-creations.org/

Companion Bread bakes 100% organic whole-grain hand-crafted sourdough,wheat, rye and sweet breads. Companion currently bakes their breads fresh for the Santa Cruz, Live Oak and Westside Farmers’ Markets exclusively. Come taste “old-world” artisan bread at its best!

Returning Seasonal Farms for May 2008

Kashiwasi Organic Fruit (cherries,all stonefruit,walnuts)

Stackhouse Brothers Stone Fruit Farm (nuts,stonefruit,dried fruit)

Oso Velloso Farm (strawberries,onions,flowers,peppers,beans and more)

Pacific Crest Apiary (local honey)

Kennedy Ranch (French prunes,bay leaves,okra,bushberries and more)

Ridgecrest Farm (Santa Cruz mountain blueberries!)
***The Santa Cruz County Health Department does not allow animals in a Certified Farmers Market. If possible, please leave your pets at home. If you do decide to bring your pet, you will need to secure them outside of the market. This does not apply to service animals. Thank you.***

The Santa Cruz Farmers Markets wishes you a very happy Thanksgiving. Make sure to stop by the Downtown Market this Wednesday for the best of the local harvest for your Thanksgiving Feast.

The Live Oak Market is closed for the season, but the Downtown Market and Westside Market continue year-round. Stop by the Westside Market every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m, and the Downtown Market every Wednesday 2-6p.m for a moveable feast of fresh, locally grown produce, free-range eggs, grass-fed meats and poultry, as well as baked goods, ready-to-eat treats and espresso drinks. To find out more about the market in your neighborhood, click the buttons above. Or better, visit both markets for a continuous supply of the freshest, healthiest food around.

Returning Seasonal Farms for May 2008

Kashiwasi Organic Fruit (cherries,stonefruit,walnuts)

Oso Velloso Farm (strawberries,onions,flowers,peppers,beans and more)

Pacific Crest Apiary (local honey)

Blue Heron Farm (large variety of specialty greens and flowers)

Ridgecrest Farm( Organic Blueberries from the Santa Cruz Mountains!)

Dirty Girl Produce (Returns to the Westside on June 28th.)

Featured Vendors

• Garcia Mexican Kitchen/ J.C.G Organic Farm is the partnership of husband Jose and wife Benedice Garcia. Jose is a certified organic grower and grows the majority of the most wonderful traditional Mexican cuisine that Benedice prepares fresh at the market.
• Companion Bread bakes 100% organic whole-grain hand-crafted sourdough,wheat, rye and sweet breads. Companion currently bakes their breads fresh for the Santa Cruz, Live Oak and Westside Farmers’ Markets exclusively. Come taste “old-world” artisan bread at its best!
• TLC Ranch’s Jim Dunlop is back at the Westside market. He raises organic pasture-raised: pork, eggs and beef. Make sure to get there early, because the best stuff goes quick…..especially the eggs.

***The Santa Cruz County Health Department does not allow animals in a Certified Farmers Market. If possible, please leave your pets at home. If you do decide to bring your pet, you will need to secure them outside of the market. This does not apply to service animals. Thank you.***