Farmers from afar feed folks fresh food
Campus Times
October 24, 1997
photo by Summer Herndon
The ninth annual Farmers' Market street fair brings farmers and craftsmen
along with their produce and merchandise to sell on Bonita Avenue in San
Dimas every Wednesday night from 5-9 p.m. Salvador Buenrostro, a farmer
and vendor has been selling his produce for the past three months at the
Farmers' Market. All produce brought to the market is grown in California.
Grocery stores claim to have fresh picked produce, but often times a
few days after it is purchased a fuzzy, greenish-brown mold miraculously
appears.
Certified farmers take pride in what they grow and want the consumer
to appreciate it also. To give consumers an opportunity to talk with the
farmers about how the crops are grown, ways it can be stored and prepared,
and what crops will be in season, the city of San Dimas holds a Farmers'
Market every Wednesday evening. Consumers can purchase fresh fruits, nuts
and vegetables directly from the farmer.
An architect by the name of John Sorcanelli had a vision of creating
Farmers' Market, and it has now been going strong for six years.
Practically every fruit and vegetable in season is brought by farmers
from as far as central California. There are grapes, apples, oranges, apricots,
limes, avocados, green beans and much more. Farmers also sell gourmet olives,
beef jerky and jellies.
Lois Lindsey, a farmer from Fullerton who has participated in Farmers'
Market for five years, said, "We [she and her husband] come to sell
produce. We are not wasteful. We work hard, that's how we were raised."
"Farmers' Market is great because it brings the community together,"
said Jane Allen, temporary Market Place director.
Dawn O'Dell, Farmers' Market manager said, "Farmers are committed
to being here during the year. Consumers support farmers and vice versa."
Other than farmers selling produce, crafters from all around come to
sell their handmade products. There is tribal jewelry, candles, baskets,
quilts, clay potholders and rubber stamps.
Also available are hand dipped incense, hand blown glass animal figurines,
charms, soaps shaped as hockey pucks, pillows that transform into blankets
and holiday crafts.
Patrick Adongo, a crafter of natural massage oils, has participated
in the market since April.
"I came to look at it [Farmers' Market] and I liked it a lot. I
like the surroundings and the people," said Adongo.
Cindy Forsbeerg, a visitor from San Dimas, comes with her two children
and dog to the market once a month because she likes to look at the food
and the crafts.
Another visitor, Ultan Johnson said, "This is my fourth or fifth
time here. I like the atmosphere, it is easy."
Although most people enjoy Farmers' Market, there are always those few
that have complaints. San Dimas resident Lucas Godoy said, "There ain't
nothing worse than a nice country town. The fair sucks. Country ain't rock
and roll. I just come to drink."
Not all visitors come to purchase produce or craft. Some just enjoy
the atmosphere. Dayna Palmarin, resident of Glendora meets her friends at
Farmers' Market every Wednesday. This has been their tradition for the past
three years.
"I like all of the interesting shops and people. I like to people
watch," Palmarin said.
Farmers' Market is from 5-9 p.m. on Bonita Avenue between Monte Vista
Avenue and Walnut Street. Attendance is approximately 5,000 each Wednesday.
Every couple of months, the craft and produce booths change.
