Marin Farmer's Market Celebrates Thirty Years!

As summer dwindles down, the kids start getting ready to go back to school, and that carefree spirit begins to fade we decided now’s a good time to give everyone a lil boost! And what is a better way to do so than with fresh and healthy goods from the Marin Farmers Market! Approaching their thirtieth birthday the coordinators of the Famer’s Market, the Agricultural Institute of Marin (AIM) are making bigger and better strides each year. In the early 1980s, when the market was just putting down roots, there were very few Marin farmers actually participating. Despite our county's rich agricultural heritage, the early years of the Marin Farmers Markets were built on the backs of hard working farmers from other California counties. Thanks to the joint efforts of the Agriculture Commissioner's Office, Farm Bureau, RCD, UC Cooperative Extension, Supervisor Steve Kinsey, Marin Organic and AIM, a community of Marin growers selling direct to the public at their local farmers markets was created. That handful has grown to include 26 farms, selling to Marin eaters at AIM's farmers markets. The rest of the farmers at the market are dedicated growers representing 34 counties from throughout California.

The next evolution at the markets was the inclusion of sustainably-raised meats. In 2004, David Evans of Marin Sun Farms began selling grass-fed beef from his Point Reyes ranch. With awareness on the rise about the importance of knowing your farmer AND your rancher, the floodgates opened. The markets are now home to Marin's Devil's Gulch, Fallon Hills, Rossotti Ranch, Stemple Creek Ranch, Tara Firma and Drakes Bay Family, selling beef, goat, pig, lamb, rabbit, chickens, fish and shellfish. The newest influx of farmers has been cheese makers. With so many dairies in West Marin, we have seen many get into cheese making. We are blessed in Marin with Cowgirl Creamery, Pt. Reyes Farmstead Cheese, Nicasio Valley Cheese, Straus Family Creamery, McClelland Dairy and Marin French Cheese, to name a few.

It’s time to get back to simpler days when we knew who grew our food, when labels were true and people were honest, when we cooked as a family, and when we gathered together in celebration and gratitude to share a meal. So grab the kids, the neighbors, and the dog and come on down every Thursday and Sunday to the Marin Civic Center for your favorite healthy meal. From Falafels to home baked bread to master works of art the markets have quite the eclectic collection.

Find the one nearest you and come on out!

• SUNDAY – SAN RAFAEL      Sunday 8am – 1pm   Year Round

• THURSDAY – SAN RAFAEL  Thursday 8am – 1pm Year Round

• STONESTOWN   Sunday 9am – 1pm  Year Round

• NOVATO   Tuesday 4pm – 8pm May 3rd – Sep. 27th

• NEWARK   Sunday 9am – 1pm  Year Round

• HAYWARD  Saturday 9am – 1pm Year Round

• GRAND LAKE – OAKLAND  Saturday 9am – 2pm Year Round

• FAIRFAX    Wednesday 4pm – 8pm  May 4th – Sep. 28th

For more Information on Marin Famrer's markets and AIG click here!

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