August is both an exciting and difficult month for me, balancing the market with producing a big festival: the Bodega Seafood, Art & Wine Festival. I’m not writing about the festival in this column: if you’re curious check out our website. It’s a wonderful event happening the last weekend of this month. I’m mentioning it only because this column is going to be quite short … I’m too busy!
The Tuesday market closes at the end of August, and before it does, I hope those of you who haven’t been able to make it down will take the time to do so. It’s been a pleasure each week setting up in the cool of the morning around the beautiful, tree-shaded Plaza, watching all the activity in the heart of town.
Vendors getting their goods out, locals coming down with bags in hand and visitors often surprised to find a lovely market happening while they happen to be in town from Indiana or Sacramento. A French TV show which covers markets throughout the world came and reported on us. When the music emanates from the gazebo stage, and the sidewalks are buzzing with shoppers, all feels right with the world.
Of course, the Saturday market is no slouch. Lately, I am meeting people coming from Windsor, Santa Rosa and other local towns, telling us they prefer our market to their local ones. I love all farmers’ markets, and find wonderful things at any market I shop at, but I will admit a prejudice towards ours, as I do feel we have just the right mix to cover about 80 percent of your shopping needs on a weekly basis, almost all grown or produced within 20 or so miles of our market.
You’re getting the freshest food you can buy. I also love watching folks eating a beautiful breakfast or brunch at the market: sitting at the coloring tables listening to music and getting to know their fellow shoppers.
Shopping at our farmers’ markets is an adventure, not like shopping at a grocery store. And in this way the market is like the festival. It offers entertainment, beautiful wares and an experience you can’t have every day.
The Tuesday market’s last day is August 28. The Saturday market is open through the end of November. I hope to see you at one or both.
Janet Ciel is the manager of the Healdsburg Farmers’ Market. She can be reached at [email protected].
