Close of Farmer's Market Offers Food for Thought

Sunday marked the close of Gilroy's farmer’s market, and market coordinators decided to incorporate National Food Day into the mix, officially on Monday, but recognized early in Gilroy to coincide with the farmer's market.

National Food Day has a goal to transform the American diet and encourage communities to eat healthy. In realizing this goal, officials from the Santa Clara County Public Health Department and South County Collaborative were at the market educating attendees about the do's and dont's of healthy eating.

“[We're here] to educate the community on the health benefits of fresh fruits and vegetables, and about the high amount of sugar in so many of the beverages consumed in Gilroy,” said Lillian Castillo, chair of the South County Collaborative Nutrition and Health Committee.

“We also want to promote the wonderful produce sold at the Gilroy Farmer’s Market, and the fact that Sunday’s market is the last one of the season.”

The two groups handled a booth at the farmer’s market with games for children and information for adults. Representatives gave out healthy recipes, coloring books, cookbooks and visuals.

There was a lineup of different beverages showing just how much sugar is in each, and a visual of five pounds of fat representing the amount of fat that accumulates in one's body from drinking a soda every day of the year.

The group encouraged people to choose water over anything else, and to plan meals around fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

“Gilroy has one of the highest rates of pediatric obesity in Santa Clara County. Cheap food is not usually healthy.” said Castillo, who added that she hopes next year’s farmer’s market will be set up to accept CalFresh (formerly known as food stamps).

Food day was a great tie-in with the farmer’s market because because both have aligned goals of providing local fresh fruits, vegetables and other foods.

However, several market vendors said the community is still .

“It’s doing badly because people have to get into the routine of coming every week,” said Katie Teresi of Miramonte Farms. “This market is in an area where it gets a lot of sun right on the fruits and vegetables. This is a part of town that some people think is on the border of ‘the bad side.’”

Many of the vendors at the market said they go to other farmer’s markets around the Bay Area and have seen larger crowds and more business. in contrast, Gilroy's market seems to be more about community.

“A farmer’s market is not about selling produce,” said Wayne Pits, a.k.a Bubba Clause, owner of Uvas Gold Apiary. “It’s about talking to people and seeing the community. It gets you regular customers.”

Clause had his honey stand set up at the farmer’s market but said he has made more sales at other farmer’s markets, like the one in Palo Alto. Formerly a longtime Gilroy resident and now a Hecker Pass one, he said he enjoys this farmer’s market for the community interest.

“I’m not saying it’s a financial success, but we’re gathering interest,” said Catalina Ventura, market manager.

To check out snapshots of the season's last farmer's market, click .