(Editor's Note: After closing for a brief period of analysis, the Ladera Ranch Farmer's Market has reopened at the Town Green, at the corner of Sienna Parkway and Mercantile Way, from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon Saturdays.)
Farmers' Market Moved to Town Green;
Attracts 100s of Shoppers Every Friday
Ladera Ranch resident Michele Taylor-Bible (in photo on right) believed that, if they built it, they would come, and come they do . . . by the hundreds -- now every Saturday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm -- to the Ladera Ranch Farmers’ Market at the Town Green at the corner of Sienna Parkway and Mercantile Way.
Typically 500 or so shoppers turn out on any given Friday, much to the delight of Michele, who chairs a committee of Ladera volunteers that organize and operate the weekly nonprofit event, including vice chair Anna Peterson, Kelly Truijllo, and Jill Dunham.
The market was inaugurated May 5, but not before three years of work to bring it about. As a result, Ladera Ranch residents and others can serve their families fresh fruits, vegetables, eggs, flowers, and even honey from “certified” California farmers.
“The items offered at the Farmer’s Market are California grown and California produced,” according to Michele, who utilizes the services of Mary Hillebrecht, of the Southland Farmers’ Market Association (SFMA), an organization that provides technical assistance to nonprofit organizations and public agencies interested in developing a farmers’ market in their community.
According to Mary, SFMA takes pride in the certification process that is associated with its farmers’ markets. For example, certified products are grown or processed in California by the farmer who sells them to consumers. Products may not be brought in from another state or imported from outside the country.
To ensure fresh and healthy produce, there are strict guidelines the growers must follow to be certified. Each grower must obtain a certificate, issued only after inspection by the California Department of Food and Agriculture, which must be presented to the market manager. It specifically lists the produce the farmer is growing.
The state ensures that quality control and health standards are maintained in fruits, vegetables, eggs or any other food products that are offered for direct sale to consumers. Knowing where food comes from is important but freshness and taste also count. Since produce can lose nutritional value and flavor after being picked, the best way to get the freshest produce is to shop at a certified farmers’ market, according to the SFMA, which operates nonprofit farmers’ markets throughout the state, said Mary Hillebrecht, who told the Ladera Times, “The food sold at our farmers’ markets are grown in
California and sold directly to the consumers by the farmers, who follow California environmental standards and labor laws.
“We set the bar very high in order to offer the public the best possible quality food products,” she said. And the Ladera Ranch Farmers’ Market offers a long list of fresh, home-grown products, including oranges, apples, myriad vegetables, fresh eggs picked that day, and even honey, to name a few, although all products are not necessarily available every Friday. In addition, the market has an annex area that such items as home-made cheese and fresh baked goods.
The Farmers’ Market originally opened at the Cox Sports Park on Crown Valley Parkway, but recently moved to the Town Green on Sienna Parkway (next to the Mercantile West Shopping Center). Parking around the Town Green is limited, so those planning to attend the market are encouraged to walk or ride their bicycles. That said, the pattern of shoppers coming and going usually results in open spaces in the area around the park throughout the day. There is alternative parking in the Mercantile West Shopping Center.
To see more photos, click on Farmers' Market Photo Album.
Attracts 100s of Shoppers Every Friday
Ladera Ranch resident Michele Taylor-Bible (in photo on right) believed that, if they built it, they would come, and come they do . . . by the hundreds -- now every Saturday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm -- to the Ladera Ranch Farmers’ Market at the Town Green at the corner of Sienna Parkway and Mercantile Way.Typically 500 or so shoppers turn out on any given Friday, much to the delight of Michele, who chairs a committee of Ladera volunteers that organize and operate the weekly nonprofit event, including vice chair Anna Peterson, Kelly Truijllo, and Jill Dunham.
The market was inaugurated May 5, but not before three years of work to bring it about. As a result, Ladera Ranch residents and others can serve their families fresh fruits, vegetables, eggs, flowers, and even honey from “certified” California farmers.
“The items offered at the Farmer’s Market are California grown and California produced,” according to Michele, who utilizes the services of Mary Hillebrecht, of the Southland Farmers’ Market Association (SFMA), an organization that provides technical assistance to nonprofit organizations and public agencies interested in developing a farmers’ market in their community.
According to Mary, SFMA takes pride in the certification process that is associated with its farmers’ markets. For example, certified products are grown or processed in California by the farmer who sells them to consumers. Products may not be brought in from another state or imported from outside the country. To ensure fresh and healthy produce, there are strict guidelines the growers must follow to be certified. Each grower must obtain a certificate, issued only after inspection by the California Department of Food and Agriculture, which must be presented to the market manager. It specifically lists the produce the farmer is growing.
The state ensures that quality control and health standards are maintained in fruits, vegetables, eggs or any other food products that are offered for direct sale to consumers. Knowing where food comes from is important but freshness and taste also count. Since produce can lose nutritional value and flavor after being picked, the best way to get the freshest produce is to shop at a certified farmers’ market, according to the SFMA, which operates nonprofit farmers’ markets throughout the state, said Mary Hillebrecht, who told the Ladera Times, “The food sold at our farmers’ markets are grown in
California and sold directly to the consumers by the farmers, who follow California environmental standards and labor laws. “We set the bar very high in order to offer the public the best possible quality food products,” she said. And the Ladera Ranch Farmers’ Market offers a long list of fresh, home-grown products, including oranges, apples, myriad vegetables, fresh eggs picked that day, and even honey, to name a few, although all products are not necessarily available every Friday. In addition, the market has an annex area that such items as home-made cheese and fresh baked goods.
The Farmers’ Market originally opened at the Cox Sports Park on Crown Valley Parkway, but recently moved to the Town Green on Sienna Parkway (next to the Mercantile West Shopping Center). Parking around the Town Green is limited, so those planning to attend the market are encouraged to walk or ride their bicycles. That said, the pattern of shoppers coming and going usually results in open spaces in the area around the park throughout the day. There is alternative parking in the Mercantile West Shopping Center.
To see more photos, click on Farmers' Market Photo Album.