Sweet bread. Fresh produce. Families and children browsing the stalls. The Farmer’s Market at Mt. SAC is filled with activity from the community browsing stalls and interacting with vendors.
Every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Farmer’s Market at Mt. SAC brings live music, food, local produce and other products to the community in parking lot B.
Mt. SAC’s own horticulture department had a booth selling plants grown on the campus farm from decorative house plants to those that are hung. Families, children and even dogs were also welcome to the venue.
The early morning was relatively quiet, but at around 11 a.m., more people arrived at the parking lot. The market was organized in a rectangular fashion with the vendors lining the perimeter of the space where the community and attendees could walk around and check out things.
At the head of the space was a tent with live music. The band performed upbeat music such as “Country Roads.” There were two other tents over tables and chairs where people could eat and listen to music. In the center of the perimeter were two vendors.
There were a variety of booths, many selling organic local grown produce such as Bonita Farms and Garcia Farm. Muñoz Farms sold eggs in addition to vegetables like onions and potatoes. Some booths sold accessories, tea, and even reusable water bottles.
One was a stand called Yalla, selling hummus dips, pita chips, and cheese; and a French bakery called Le Saint Honore with a wide assortment of pastries
There was also raw and live seafood sold such as sea urchin, crab, and rockfish all caught by the owner Among these booths was the Mt. SAC’s horticulture department selling plants grown on the campus farm including decorative house plants and hanging plants.
The booth had familiars as the attendees that visited chatted with the students about updates on school and their week. The students were friendly, greeting attendees and explaining plant and plant care to buyers.
A couple with a dog stopped by to purchase plants, and the horticulture students and other people came over to pet the dog.
“I like seeing the work we put into the plants into good homes.” Joie Huynh, ornamental horticulture student, said.
The students grow these plants, pretty much raising them until the moment it is ready to be picked to sell at the market. Huynh recommended the French bakery Le Saint Honoré and Yalla.
According to Huynh, the people working the stands are very nice and Yalla even has vegetarian options.
Some booths offered free samples to attendees, mainly the ones selling food items includin one called Aguilar Honey, a family owned business selling jars of honey, honey sticks, and honeycomb.
There was an assortment of honey including wildflower honey and citrus honey Aguilar Honey has been a seller at the Farmer’s Market for about two years. Ramon Aguilar, beekeeper, was running the booth.
“I like selling local honey to sell what we grow to local people,” he said. Aguilar recommended wildflower honey especially for allergie since it has a little of various local wild flower
In addition to these attractions, there was also a fun activity for children to participate since Thanksgiving was so near. A turkey was hidden somewhere in one of the tents of the farmer’s market. If they found the turkey, they could win a prize.
The Farmer’s Market is a great place to support local businesses and even Mt. SAC’s horticulture department while spending time with friends and family. The space supports and friendly comfortable atmosphere with music while browsing wares and products.