Farmers’ Markets in the Sierra and Foothills

SUMMERTIME IN THE SIERRA AND its foothills brings out the Farmers Markets, in Auburn, Grass Valley, Truckee and elsewhere. The markets offer farm-fresh vegetables, fruits, flowers, eggs and other food from the region.

The Nevada City Farmers Market is the newest of the bunch. It is held every Saturday morning through October in Nevada City.

Now in its second year, the downtown market is becoming a favorite weekend ritual for visitors to B&Bs, as well as locals, to grab a cup of coffee and enjoy the food, entertainment and people watching.

“The market is more than the place to find the most healthy locally grown, organic produce around,” says Market Manager Mali Dyck. “It is an occasion to gather and connect to the community.”

The market has helped Nevada City reshape its identity—not just as a gold-rush town but also as a burgeoning mecca for the local food move-ment. Food that is sold at the Saturday market also is served by area restaurants.

Food patriotism is gaining popu- larity across the country. The family farm is making a comeback as many people grow weary of the drawbacks of corporate farming.

A word called “locavore” has been coined for people who are interested in food that is locally produced, not shipped long distances to market.
The Oxford American Dictionary called it the word of the year in 2007.

Major California cities have embraced the “locavore” movement, but foothill towns are ideally situated to deliver: The food is grown on hill-
sides just a few miles away.

In Nevada County alone, more than 70 producers are listed in the farm guide, ranging from Appley Acres to Naked Farms to Wild Woman Farms.
The Nevada City Farmers Market has been a springboard for the sustainability movement in the historic town.

Later this year, an organic grocer called California Organics will open a store and café at the foot of Broad Street in Nevada City. Up the street, a year-round farmer’s market called Nevada City Marketplace will open this summer, featuring fresh fish, produce stalls and a bakery.

A “Sustainability Center,” built with a $40,000 grant, also just opened in the downtown, featuring exhibits on green living.

The local food movement creates a more self-sustaining economy in rural areas such as Nevada County, but it also helps distinguish tourism towns including Grass Valley and Nevada City from their counterparts in Northern California.

“Connecting our community to our local organic farms and supporting our locally owned businesses are the most effective actions we can take to buffer ourselves against an economic downturn, as well as prepare ourselves for when things turn around,” says Nevada City Vice Mayor Reinette Senum, who has helped lead the effort. “This is what the Nevada City Farmers Market does naturally.”

Summer Growers Markets

FOOTHILL FARMERS MARKET
Auburn at the Old Town
Courthouse parking lot.
Saturdays, 8 a.m.-noon.
Truckee at Truckee River
Regional Park, Hwy. 267
south of Truckee
Tuesdays, 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
530-823-6183
foothillfarmersmarket.com

NEVADA COUNTY
GROWERS MARKET
Nevada County Fairgrounds
11228 McCourtney Road
Grass Valley
Saturdays, 8 a.m.-noon.
530-265-5551
thegrowersmarket.com

MILL STREET FARMERS MARKET
Mill Street, between Neal and Main Streets
Downtown Grass Valley
Thursdays, 6-9 p.m.
530-272-8315
historicgrassvalley.com

NEVADA CITY FARMERS MARKET
At the foot of Broad and
Commercial Streets.
Saturdays, 8 a.m.-noon.
530-265-7766
ncfarmersmarket.org