LAKEPORT>>> The Lake County Farmers’ Market’s seasonal days have returned, held at Library Park on Tuesdays. The seasonal event is held from May through the end of September, running from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. On a nice summer day, vendors provided produce, baked goods, and more from Lake County locals. There was something freshly grown or made for everyone.
The seasonal Farmers’ Market has been a fixture of Lakeport for some time. According to Cornelia Sieber-David, the market manager of the Lake County Farmers’ Finest, it has been almost 30 years since non-profit status was reached. A grant from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has made the event a good aid for the local economy and farmers.
“We take food stamps called EBT (Electronic Bank Transfer) and market match CalFresh. So we swipe their card (…) issue tokens so they can spend it with farmers, and we’d reimburse the farmers afterwards. (…) It just incentives people who get food assistance to spend it at the Farmers’ Market and get half off.” Sieber-David explained after issuing a token to an attendee.
One of the vendors, Micaela Rall of Cielo Azul Family Farm, also expressed support of the EBT. Rall commented how the program provides people “double what they get and makes it more affordable for them. I’d love to see more local people take advantage of the local produce we have.”
The Farmers’ Market was not limited to only produce. While the standard types of greens, fruits and vegetables were on display, there was a strong variety thanks to the vendors. First timers like Scott Maidrand and his wife Pamela of Luv Fudge had confections, with a particular treat being chocolate covered Oreos.
“She does sea turtles, chocolate, cameral, and pecan in a turtle shape with little legs coming out and salt on top.” Scott explained, standing by a decorated package at their tent.
Another unique vendor was first timer Dan Connor of Flowers and Fields. Although a micro farmer, Connor had gourmet mushrooms alongside flowers. He expressed that one of the highlights is explaining what gourmet mushrooms are and what the health benefits are.
Matching him was beekeeper hobbyist Todd Whitaker. Whitaker’s Whitaker Honey was not alone in providing honey, other vendors like Michael Edenhome and his “full cycle of preserving” also had jars for sale. Only Whitaker had bars of beeswax on sale and exposed the benefits of such. How “people use it for ChapStick, salves, cream” and that “honey and propolis has incredible healing properties.”
There was a shared sense of comradery among the vendors. A sense of community and connection, as everyone enjoyed one another’s company. Though there was a shared hope that more people could be involved; either more vendors, or there could be more visitors. It wasn’t really about their individual businesses, but instead what could be given for Lake County.
“My hope for my business and the Farmers’ Market in general is that there is affordable local food, and people just don’t know it. Because they often associate the farmers’ market with high costs,” said Tawn Chao of Chao Santana Farm, sharing a sentiment her other vendors individually had.
