LAKE COUNTY — The Saturday farmers market at Steele Wines in Finley opened for the season last week along with the Tuesday farmers market opening at Library Park in Lakeport this week. There were approximately 20 vendor booths set up at both places. Some vendors participated at both markets, some were first-timers.
Cornelia Sieber-Davis, market manager for both, said they again offer customers use of their electronic funds transfer for Calfresh, which benefits both the customers and the vendors. “It keeps the money local,” she said when they first started using EBT in 2018. “We’re excited to provide Lake County with fresh fruits and vegetables again after not having the markets for six months.”
Sieber-Davis listed off a few of the products; goat cheese, olive oil, local honey, plant starts, stone fruits, organic vegetables, jams, hot sauces, greens to plant, baskets, beard oil, and tie die T-shirts and clothes.
One thing different at each market are the musicians; Phil Vanderwall played soft, smoothing guitar music at the Saturday market while people walked around the park-like area with the sun shining and a light breeze kept everything cool. Music at Lakeport varied from 70s music to more recent tunes played by the three generations of family musicians; Camm Linden, on guitar, Slade Darrin on keyboard, and Jude Darrin, singing. They will be playing in Lakeport once a month during the season. People around the market were dancing in place to the music, some danced on the grass in front of the gazebo.
Nautilus Ridge Farm from Lower Lake offered posey bouquets, large bouquets and flower confetti in small bags that can be ordered in bulk for weddings. Stephanie Lucas said It was her first time at the Tuesday market and her second year growing flowers. The posey bouquets sold out quickly. She’ll be at Saturday’s market just in time for Mother’s Day bouquets.
Lily King from Herbal Souls from Lakeport makes all natural products such as body oils, facial creams and spring energy cleaning smudge sticks. She says her products come “from my home to yours.”
The typically shy owner of Pendeza Creations, Carolyn Adisa, who is a regular vendor at the markets and local fairs, said, “This season is going to be great. There are wonderful products coming in with new vendors.” Her colorful woven baskets, hats and fans are popular with customers. During the markets people walked around with their new goods, which besides being multicolored, are also waterproof, as if proud of their purchase.
A Violet Butterfly creates dramatic dragon eye pendants made from broken jewelry by Andrea Anderson who says, “A part of everything I sell goes to the Lakeport Senior Senior Activity Center and also to Lakeport Community Garden and Creative Space. Anderson’s booth was as dramatic as her jewelry; deep purple walls with a large dragon floating in the spring air.
No Bull Rancher, Don Merrill, told Terri Paulson from Healdsburg, Lisa Walker and her mother Judy Walker from Lakeport about his new Blackberry Honey. Lisa Walker said as she purchased a bottle, “I’ve bought honey from Don before and it’s the best!”
Donnie Merrill, 12, who was helping his father, Don from No Bull Ranch’s local honey at the Saturday market said about Alex Vollelunga’s beard oil, “I use the Silky products for my hair. It makes it really soft.”
A crowd gathered at Ponce Farms stone fruits, at both markets, where the vibrant apricots, cherries and peaches spilled from their baskets as people bought bags full.
Bings Kitchen has been coming to the markets for four years, serving Filipino food and even more importantly early morning coffee. Michele and Vaughn Rogers, who moved from Roseville to Kelseyville pointed out Bings Kitchen to a customer for her first coffee of the day. Gil Baldosano, manager, said, “We’re happy to serve Filipino food to the community.”
Two prominent vendors also showed at the Tuesday market; Poppy’s Nursery with their trees and potted shrubs, and Travis Rinker, from Lakeport, who plants all his plants from seed, which he’s been doing for seven years. He also played his guitar for the First Friday Fling at the Main Street Gallery this month.
Rebecca Reidebach, 28, from Nice, was selling her unique “Saw Where You Are” jewelry made with stone and cut metal. When asked, she talked about how she got the name of her company, “I was inspired by the best advice; saw right where you’re at, don’t get ahead of yourself, don’t force the blade though the metal, pay attention to the aspect at hand and saw where you are.”
Sieber-Davis said about both markets, “We’re very happy with the attendance from both vendors and customers. It was a larger turnout than expected at each market. Everyone was very happy. We also anticipate the entire season to be great. People love farmers markets. They go there for other reasons besides shopping, there’s positive community energy at farmers markets. They’re a meeting for friends and family, and customers get to know their favorite vendors and keep returning.”
Saturday’s farmers market takes place at Steele Wines, 8:30 a.m. – Noon. May through October, 4350 Thomas Drive, near Finley.
Tuesday’s farmers market takes place at Library Park in Lakeport, 10:30 a.m – 2 p.m. May through September, 225 Park Street, Lakeport. For further information go to http://www.lakecountyfarmersfinest.org
