"Certified Farmers' Market" is the term that describes the venue used to connect the consumer of agricultural products directly with the farmer who produced it.
Excerpted from "Information You Always Wanted to Know About Farmers' Markets," an article in the Fall, 2008, "Growers' Gazette"
The Certified Farmers' Markets provide a convenient and the most direct way for the consumer to purchase produce that has only traveled from the farm to the Certified Farmers' Market, not the circuitous route from the field to the packing house, then the wholesale broker who sells it to a supermarket, and finally to the consumer. Produce sold at a Certified Farmers' Market is usually picked the morning of the market or, at the longest time, the night before. Often the produce has traveled less than 10 miles to reach the consumer. The person selling produce to you is usually the same person who planted the seeds, tended the plants and picked it. He or she can inform you of the produce's unique characteristics, show you the difference between varieties, offer hints for storage, or provide delicious recipes.
The vendors at a Certified Farmers' Market have been inspected by their local Agriculture Department. Each farmer has a list of the products they grow on display in their sales booth. This is the consumer's assurance that the products they are purchasing were grown by the person selling them. The Certified Farmers' Market is the only Farmers' Market to offer the consumer this type of guarantee that the products they are purchasing are fresh, local, and direct from the farmer.
Additionally, many of the products sold by Certified Farmers' Market vendors are specialty foods which, in a high end grocery store, can cost considerably more. Most vendors are WIC certified and carry numerous products other than vegetables, fruits and other produce such as eggs, cheeses, honey, meats from grass-fed animals to mention just a few. Your trip to a Certified Farmers' Market will be an enjoyable experience, one that you'll want to return to on a weekly basis. Many of our local Markets are open year-round. The following list will help you find a Certified Farmers' Market near you:
FARMERS' MARKETS IN PLACER COUNTY
Saturdays
AUBURN: Old Town Courthouse Parking Lot
Year 'Round, 8 am - 12 noon
At Auburn Folsom Rd & Lincoln Way |
HOMEWOOD MOUNTAIN SKI RESORT
June 20 thru August 29, 9 am to 1 pm
5145 Westlake Blvd on Hwy 89 |
Sundays
GRANITE BAY: Quarry Ponds Town Center
May 24 thru December 20, 10:30 am - 2 pm
5550 Douglas Blvd. |
ROSEVILLE: Historic Old Town
June 7 thru August 30, 9 am - 1 pm
Corner Washington & Main |
Mondays
LINCOLN VILLAGE at Twelve Bridges
June 1 thru November 23, 8:30 am - 12:30 pm
2295 Fieldstone Drive, Lincoln |
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Tuesdays
ROSEVILLE: Whole Foods Mkt at Fountains
Year 'Round, 8:30 am - 1 pm
Galleria Blvd & E Roseville Pkwy |
TRUCKEE: Truckee River Regional Park
June 9 thru October 13, 9 am - 1 pm
10500 Brockway Road off Highway 267 |
KINGS BEACH: Kings Beach SRA
June 9 thru September 1, 9 am - 1 pm
Highway 28 at Bear Street |
DOWNTOWN ROSEVILLE
May 12 thru July 28, 5 pm - 9 pm
Along Vernon Street |
Wednesdays
AUBURN DEWITT CENTER
June 10 thru December 16, 10:30 am - 1:30 pm
Bell Rd off Hwy 49 - 1st St between A & B Aves |
FORESTHILL:
June 10 thru August 19, 4 pm - 7 pm
Main Street |
COLFAX
May 27 thru October 7, 4 pm - 7 pm
Depot Freight Parking Lot (behind #7 Main St) |
Thursdays
TAHOE CITY
May 21 thru October 15, 9 am - 1 pm
Commons Beach Rd & N Lake Blvd |
TRUCKEE THURSDAYS
June 25 thru August 20, 4 pm - 6 pm
Donner Pass near the Train Station |
LINCOLN - DOWNTOWN
June 11 thru August 27, 5 pm - 8 pm
F Street, between 5th & 6th |
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Fridays (There are no Friday Farmers Markets in Placer County at this time. Subject to change.)
Agricultural Organizations