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Published on 06/09/1999 All articles from this issue

Farmers' Market opens at Foothill College for summer season

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By Clyde Noel

Special to the Town Crier

The Los Altos Farmers' Market finally has found a venue with enough space for exhibitors, vendors, and customer parking at Foothill College. This season's Farmers' Market opened this past Saturday with 35 exhibitors, eight more than last year at Loyola Corners. Additional vendors are expected weekly. Pete Carcione, KCBS radio produce commentator, and Jesse Cool, owner and chef of Flea Street Cafe in Menlo Park, were the headliners for an opening day that had sparse customer attendance.

Gail Hayden, director of the California Farmers' Market Association, said, "We worked on a place to have the Farmers' Market in Los Altos for more than six months, and the only place available was Foothill College. We lost $7,000 at Loyola Corners in 1998, and it was time to move. Downtown Los Altos refused to have us on a Saturday, and we met with numerous churches in Los Altos without success. Loyola Corners politicked to get rid of us, and we won't go where we aren't wanted."

Exhibitors at last week's Farmers' Market showed and sold assorted fruits and flowers fresh from the farm, including Asian vegetables, baked breads, vine-ripened cherries, and tomatoes. Free samples were available to entice prospective buyers.

One merchant was showing hothouse tomatoes and onions. "Every thing is late this year," he said. "Corn isn't in yet, and neither are some of the fruits. We are two weeks late because of the weather."

In addition to produce, the market had side exhibits to keep children occupied. Children were able to pet a black lamb and have their faces painted

One lingering issue to be resolved with having the Farmers' Market at Foothill College is the $2 parking fee. According to a Foothill College official, no decision for free parking was made this past weekend; however, parking tickets were not issued. The question of parking fees will be taken up before the board at a future meeting. "People want their Farmers' Market on a Saturday," Hayden said.

The Farmers' Market will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday until Nov. 20. For more information, call 1-800-806-3276.