Community Corner
Today Is Opening Day of Healdsburg Farmers' Market
Local farmers and ranchers will be out on Saturday to bring you the latest in farm fresh eggs, meats, and produce.
Healdsburg Certified Farmers’ Market’s much anticipated season opening is today, Saturday, May 7. Slated in its usual time slot of 9 a.m. -- 12 noon, the market will offer the freshest local produce and more.
The market has been on hiatus since November when both the Certified Market and the traditional Arts and Crafts Fair closed out for the season.
The Healdsburg market was established in 1978 and was one of the original certified markets in California. Farmers’ markets are certified by the State of California.
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Market manager said she takes that certification seriously. This week she spent time visiting at least one farm to ascertain that what is brought to the market is actually grown by the farmers. Kelley closely adheres to market rules and regulations.
Many of the farmers grow their produce and eggs within 10 miles of downtown Healdsburg.
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Paul Bernier was one of the original founders of the Healdsburg market and Bernier Farms is one of the original vendors.
Bernier and his wife, Yael, and son, Zureal, farm as a family unit, one that includes Zureal’s wife, Anna, too. Bernier Farm’s original location is on Canyon Road in Geyserville. In addition, they have recently leased Warren Ranch, an old Spanish land grant in Alexander Valley.
The Warren ranch is worked by Bernier Farm’s foreman, Charles Shembre, a recent Cal-Poly graduate. Shembre lives on the Alexander Valley ranch with his wife, Tiffany, and 8-month-old son, Camden.
The land is lined with rows of an amazing variety vegetables and herbs. Yael Bernier has specialized in garlic for many years, but Bernier Farms will be bringing root vegetables, lettuces, cabbage, snap peas, herbs as well the garlic and vegetable starts to this Saturday’s market.
Another local producer, John Kearns, of Healdsburg Farm Fresh Eggs and Produce keeps his main focus on egg production. While later in the season, Kearns will bring tomatoes and squash to the market, Saturday he’ll sell just eggs at his booth. Kearns sells about 40 dozen eggs a week, mostly through the farmers’ market, but he adds good, old-fashioned, local home delivery to his resume to his customers’ delight.
Gleason Ranch’s sisters, Cindy Holland and Nancy Prebilich, are sixth generation family ranchers. Located in Bodega, according to their website, “Gleason Ranch offers local, conscientiously raised, grass-fed and pastured, antibiotic/hormone-free Lamb, Pork, Beef, Chicken and Turkey.”
Kelley reports there will be about 15 vendors at Saturday’s market and, in addition to the aforementioned products, there will be wild salmon, fresh cut flowers, ceramics and bath and body products. This early in the season, shoppers can expect to find garlic, leeks, root vegetables, as well as a variety of lettuces, herbs, eggs and plant starts.
“Because of the support of the customers at the Healdsburg Farmers’ Market, we have more sustainable farms and young farmers in Healdsburg,” says Kelley. Kelley is a farmer advocate and activist, as well as the local market manager.
A natural-born teacher, Kelley can bring you up to date on all that is happening locally and nationally with farmers’ markets, food production, food safety and the humane treatment of animals.
“By buying locally, we’re reducing our food miles, and that’s important,” states Kelley. “Farmers can be more successful if they can sell to consumers without a middleman.”
She goes on, “That’s what farmers’ markets are all about—farmers selling directly to consumers.”
Kelly talks about sustainability and eating seasonally. “Farmers work with the weather.” [We need to] “eat with the seasons; you can’t expect strawberries in December.”
When talking about local food production, Kelley says, “You have to understand what can be provided” [in a given season].
“The market is owned by the farmers and created to benefit the farmers,” say Kelley. But, obviously, it’s a beneficial symbiotic relationship between farmer and local consumer. A number of Healdsburg’s chefs buy at the farmers’ market.
The Healdsburg Certified Farmers’ Market plans a variety of events between May and the end of November. From Lavender Day to Zucchini and Pumpkin Festivals to the Arts and Crafts Fair held in November, the events are planned to showcase Northern Sonoma County abundance.
