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Farmers’ market celebrates more than 4 decades in Pasadena
Pasadena Independent May 09, 2024
| Photo courtesy of the city of Pasadena
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This year marks the 44th anniversary of the Pasadena Certified Farmers’ Market is celebrating more than four decades of offering fresh, local goods while connecting farmers and consumers with an air of community service, the city announced Thursday.
The outdoor market has two locations — on Tuesday mornings the market is at Villa Parke, 363 E. Villa St., and on Saturday mornings shoppers can again find a variety of locally made products at Victory Park, 2575 Paloma St. The first location at Villa Parke opened in 1980 and in response to its success, the weekend market launched in 1984 at Victory Park.
Market organizers estimated 13 vendors — “who only sell what they grow” — usually sell goods on Tuesdays at the Villa Parke Center. As many as 60 vendors are at Victory Park on Saturdays selling only edible products, no art or craft goods are sold.
“Farmers’ markets introduce us to the hardworking farmers who grow food for our families,” Gretchen Sterling, manager of the Pasadena Certified Farmers’ Markets, said in a statement. “Farmers work long days, deal with changing weather conditions, and travel a long way to be at our markets weekly.”
Pasadena officials noted that addition to bolstering the local economy, the farmers’ market has helped fulfill a wide range of needs in the community. Youth-oriented charitable efforts connected with the market include donating clothing and school supplies for students, covering summer camp and swim lesson fees and providing transportation to special events.
The markets have proven profitable to the point of yielding funding to support recreation programs within the city’s four community centers, according to the city.
Since 1995 the Pasadena Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department has overseen the operation of both farmers’ markets.
“PRCS is proud to support such a meaningful and long-standing program,” parks department Director Koko Panossian said in a statement. “The Pasadena Farmers’ Market aligns with our mission to offer affordable resources, encourage healthy choices, and foster connections within the community.”
More information on the market is online at PasadenaFarmersMarket.org.
Updated May 9, 2024, 10:33 a.m.
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