First-ever Green Valley farmers market a hit
GREEN VALLEY — Local farmers and shoppers were thrilled at the first-ever Green Valley farmers market on Saturday. But no one was perhaps happier than Javier Robledo.
Robledo, who runs Robledo Produce at the corner of Rockville and Russell roads, sold out of his strawberries.
“In less than an hour,” said his daughter, Tanairy Robledo. So Javier Robledo went back to the family’s patch to pick more.
The Robledos were one of about a dozen vendors at the “totally local”-themed market in the heart of Green Valley at Green Valley Road and Vintage Lane. All produce sold there must be grown within 50 miles of Green Valley.
“This is fabulous,” said Anne Romer, who lives up the street and was carrying three bags full of fruits and vegetables. “I only buy organic or local.”
Jessica Greathouse of Suisun Valley purchased three photographs from Fairfield photographer Gary Priest. One was of the art piece “Mother Earth” at Abernathy and Rockville roads.
“I think they really signify Suisun Valey,” Greathouse said.
Brendan Kelly said the area hasn’t had a platform for local growers and artists since the original Nut Tree. The farmers market fills that void, he said.
Products in the Suisun Valley, including Katz and Company’s olive oil, are shipped off to some of the finest restaurants, Kelly said.
“The weird part is, there is no place to buy them,” he said.
Kelly is part of the Green Valley Agricultural Conservancy, which sponsored the market.
Steve Tenbrink said the market evens the playing field. Tenbrink runs a Suisun Valley farm by the same name and said he can’t compete at other farmers markets where sellers buy produce from packing houses.
“We like selling to locals,” Tenbrink said.
Solano County Supervisor John Vasquez pointed out that the market was so local no tomatoes were being sold. Tomatoes aren’t in season here.
“This is just as local as it can be,” he said.
The farmers market will be held every Saturday until Oct. 2.
Reach David DeBolt at 427-6935 or ddebolt@dailyrepublic.net.
Short URL: http://www.dailyrepublic.com/?p=63273
Posted by David DeBolt
on Jul 2 2011.
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a great farmer’s market and a marvelous setting…local farmer’s with beautiful local produce shaded by huge oaks…it really doesn’t get better than this…come by every saturday 9am-1pm all summer and ejoy locaaly grown produce and products
An amazing and fun experience! Beautiful and tasty produce, however nothing quite like the bunches of fresh lavender that I got when meeting the one and only Girl on the Hill! Not to mention the amazing lavender eye pillows that were an immediate hit when I got home. I am hooked and will have to stop by every Saturday to restock!
Many thanks to ALL the excellent vendors and customers who came out to support this inaugural event!! It was terrific to see the community come together and BE together in such a lovely place and supporting high quality local ag.
We hope to see even more vendors next Saturday, July 9! The market opens at 9am every Saturday thru Oct 1. Please help us spread the word!
Well done Brendan. You, Nancy, et al., have made something out of whole cloth. The entire region will benefit. Nice to see Suisun Valley and Green Valley folks working together. As it should be! A rising tide raises all ships.
Congratulations to the Green Valley farm market organizers! Hope to see more of our local produce
what hours are they open?
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