Gilroy's Food Movement Grows with Farmers Market Kickoff

The dark clouds that loomed overhead weren’t enough to keep throngs of people from attending Leadership Gilroy’s Spice of Life festival and farmers market on Sunday.

If you missed it, don’t worry. Under the umbrella of the Gilroy Demonstration garden, Gilroy’s new farmers market will offer its local produce, arts and crafts every Sunday until Nov. 20.

“It’s even better than I expected,” said Terry Newman, president of the Leadership Gilroy board.

The more than 30 vendors at the festival, representing different craftsman and farmers from throughout the South County, sold everything from fresh cherries to goat’s milk soap while live music played over the crowd.

Members of this year's annual leadership development course, the 12th class since the program began, were there en masse and in high spirits. They have worked intensively to bring the festival “from a seed concept to reality” since March, said class member Jason Salazar.

While they could have created a one-time event, members of the 2011 class said they wanted the market to continue beyond their involvement. The demonstration garden began in the same way, a Leadership Gilroy project in 2010.

Near a busy tent representing the garden, Catalina Ventura took copious notes. She worked closely with Leadership Gilroy in setting up the festival, and she’ll be responsible for keeping the market going in the coming months.

“Number one—it’s building community and bringing people downtown,” said the local food advocate, “We have to walk before we can run, but I see it growing into something good for the community.”

Two attendees, born-and-raised Gilroyan, Barbara Lawrence, and friend, Pat Scott, were looking forward to seeing the market continue.

“I’m so tired of having to go to Morgan Hill or San Jose for their farmers market,” said Scott. “We’re right in the center of farm country, but you still had to go up there.”

Tammy Brownlow, president of the Economic Development Corporation, browsed the booths, having picked up some one-of-a-kind jewelry from local artists.

“It’s a great first step,” she said, noting how the market would be great for downtown and showcasing local talent.

“It would be good to get a synergy going between things that people who attend these markets like to see,” said leadership board and board of education member, Jaime Rosso, who specifically suggested fitness-related activities. 

Ventura said she had some specific goals in mind as the market continues: Find a local source for grass-fed beef and free-range eggs, and extend the range of vendors to a 100-mile radius around Gilroy.

“It’s important to have a face connection with your food,” she said.

Several produce vendors at the festival said they had great traffic at the event, with many of them selling out of their stock and dealing with non-stop interest in items like fresh cherries and dried fruit.

“If this is any indication, this should be a great market,” said Susan Pitts, who runs Uvas Gold Apiary with her husband and sold local honey and beeswax candles.

Amid answering the endless questions of curious attendees, director Judy Hess said the day had another special significance: the first birthday of the Gilroy Demonstration Garden. With the addition of the farmers market, Hess said she’s happy to see the city’s local food movement expand.

“It’s growing—just like a garden,” she said.

The Gilroy Farmers Market will be back every Sunday until Nov. 20, 10 a.m.–2 p.m., at 7341 Monterey St. Check out the full schedule of events at the Gilroy Demonstration Garden. 

Want to become a vendor at the market? Contact Market Manager Catalina Ventura at GilroyFarmersMarket@yahoo.com.