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Streetwise reporter Stan Wharton stepped out for some sunshine and fresh produce to query some locals. There he asked, what do you like most about the popular Danville’s farmers’ market? To see the responses, click on the photos. And don’t forget to chime in below with a comment.
I love the setting….Las Trampas to the West, Mt. Diablo to the West….and the families congregating at the market. Music resonating….I could do without the solicitors but what the hey…
It is wonderful in every sense of the word….
opps Mt. Dee to the East of course….sorry…
Dear Emily,
The Farmers’ Market, at its convenient location at the north end of Locust near Target, provides exceptional produce and products, music, and proximity to shops in old town Walnut Creek. At this time of year the fruit brought is excellent and inexpensive.
Years ago, we use to visit Danville’s farmers’ market to buy fresh flowers, but the vendor we enjoyed in now in Walnut Creek and convenient access from Alamo.
You might consider publishing a list of products, produce, etc sold in Danville so other communities might consider visiting Danville’s farmers’ market. Possibly your readers could list their favorite vendors and what they sell.
Ralph
I love going to Danville Farmers Market. I try to get there early not only to find a parking space, but to get salmon from the fish person. Sorry I don’t remember the name of that stall, but the salmon is delicious and if you get there too late, it is all gone. Not only are the fruits and veggies fresh and delicious with lots of varieties this time of year, one can also find a variety of infused olive oils, lavender scented products, honeys, bakery items, and of course flowers. Prather Ranch also has a stall where I purchased some beef last week. All organic and yummy. My sister-in-law recently started eating raw foods only. One of the vendors at the Farmers Market sells raw milk products.
Danville Market offers one-stop shopping for me! I must admit however, it is not inexpensive.
We love the fresh strawberries and corn. It is also great to see members of the Diablo Valley Democratic Party out signing up people to vote and passing out literature on our local reps.
There are several notable standouts….I like the popcorn guy…I have grabbed free samples for 10 years and never bought any and he teases me about it good naturedly. The outgoing Afghani girl handing out samples is a born sales person, I wish I could hire her. The laid back fishermen are nice too and I like the ecletic music…nothing like a little Jim Bo Trout to start off your weekend! The blind woman singing is really something too.
I like the funny guys at Danville Chocolate! The apples are great too!
I love the Farmer’s Market! It was the 1st time I ever drank unpasteurized milk & loved it.
Unfortunately, I have been staying away a bit more because people still insist on bringing their dogs. Don’t they see the signs that say “Please don’t bring your dogs”? This is a FOOD market: PLEASE leave the dogs while others shop for groceries.
I love the outing with the kids picking out veggies and fruits. It’s a great place to teach the kids about seasonal eating and the importance of the food cycle. Unfortunately, Pacific Farmer’s Market in Danville usually only has one or two certified organic providers a week – and too many people think they are buying organic just because they are at a Farmer’s Market, which of course is not true.
Personally, I am NOT a fan of the Farmer’s Market on principle.
IMO, it uses “public” assets to allow outside businesses to come in and compete with existing Danville businesses. It should not be allowed.
I realize it provides benefits and niceties for some people (which I’m sure they will readily state here).
However, it takes up parking spaces that we, the public, have paid the construction for and have to pay to maintain. It further requires more parking spaces for the customers–parking that is there for the existing businesses and for other town uses. It causes traffic, congestion, security and maintenance costs.
I purposefully avoid going to it. And I minorly resent the increased traffic hazards (people and children crossing the streets), slowed through-fare time to get where I’m going in town, and the reduction of parking in the vicinity.
Some people argue that it “brings in” more business for the existing businesses. But I doubt that it equals out at all. If one is buying their salmon at the Farmers Market that is a high-ticket sale lost at the nearby grocery stores. If I were the Danville grocery stores, I would protest vehemently to the allowance of Farmers Markets.
Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe not.
The Town “likes” it because they make some rental money, right? And that on top of what they already get from the physical-plant, existing businesses.
But WHO gave the Town real legal authority to use our public assets for the benefit of these particular private business interests at the expense of the existing Danville store-fronts.
The Town needs to narrow their focus to doing only necessary government duties–police, fire, etc.–and stop expanding their scope of activity, costs and taxation to everything under the sun. Just because something is “nice” and “good” in general terms for some of its populace, doesn’t mean that the government should be involved in providing it.
Let private business do “business,” especially with public property.
If it’s a good and profitable thing (profitable without the added inclusion of government subsidies), then let private enterprise provide it, using their own private property and private businesses.
Once here, I’m sure that the Farmers Market will not cease.
I also struggle with traffic in the area and argue with my husband about bringing the dog (he never goes in to the actual market area, but I still think dogs scare some, cause allergies in some, and poop when you are not happy about their choice in location). Still, I’m a huge fan. I struggle to grow enough of my own organic produce and farmer’s market is a step above what I get in any grocery store. I also like the Democrat folks and their info – and some of the Republican reps as well (the pair a month or so ago that were originally from Canada were horrible, but I haven’t encountered any like that other than them). I also love the music and seeing my neighbors!
I’ve gone nearly every week to the Danville farmer’s market for years and I’ve rarely struggled with parking. If there isn’t an open stall, just wait a minute or two and one frees up.
I would think the local businesses do better because of it, as it promotes foot traffic. When I’m done getting my fruit and vegetables, I’ll often have lunch at one of the restaurants downtown and sometimes shop at the stores. If the farmer’s market wasn’t there, I probably wouldn’t go there as much.
In addition to promoting commerce, it promotes community interaction. I’ve run into friends and neighbors down there and met a lot of nice people.
What’s lacking in downtown Danville is a place for kids. It would be nice if they put a play structure in the corner by the library.
Once not very long ago, farmer’s markets were a staple in many American cities. They were a free market, capitalist way of providing a marketplace for small business people (farmers, fishermen, merchants). Every weekend my mother would take me to a farmer’s market in a nearby city that must have covered at least 25 city blocks. Local merchants benefited as well from increased traffic. Consumers would negotiate posted prices and it was a life experience for me to see this–an experience that lives with me today in my day to day business dealings. The truth is that everything is negotiable, a reality often times lost or ignored in our industrialized, large producer economy. Fact is that farmer’s markets are a staple throughout the world on every continent. It is good to see it return here in our community.
Well said, Mike. Thanks for posting.
Any sure way to buy local and help out the environment is A+ in my book. The pedestrian issue isn’t too bad and it’s only that one, short segment for the first half of saturday. Also, its not like the Lunardi’s market is teeming with so many customers that we need to overflow into other parking. I think it’s great that the space is getting put to great use.