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Brentwood Farmers Market expected to debut earlier |
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Posted by dand124 on Thu Mar 22 20:35:03 2012, in response to The New Brentwood Thread, posted by LuchAAA on Sun Aug 21 16:33:18 2011. http://www.marinij.com/ci_20224686/brentwood-farmers-market-expected-debut-earlierOne sign of spring in far East County is the emergence of the Brentwood Farmers Market, and this year it is slated to debut earlier to highlight some of the agricultural region's popular asparagus growers. In addition to local asparagus, the downtown weekly Brentwood Farmers Market will showcase early strawberries, blueberries and artichokes along with year-round produce staples such as potatoes, carrots and lettuce, starting from 8 a.m. to noon March 31 pending city approval. Each year the event's producer, Pacific Coast Farmers' Market Association, moves up the start date of the market earlier in the spring and extends it later into the fall season. The popularity of the Brentwood Farmers Market has driven its extended season, Pacific Coast Regional Manager Greg Pursle said. Out of 70 farmers markets in Northern California, the Brentwood one is in the top 10, he noted. "More people keep coming out and we want to accommodate them," Pursley said. In 2009, the Brentwood Farmers Market started during the second week of May, then it moved to the end of April in 2010 and last year began in early April. During the peak summer produce season, it draws about 3,500 visitors weekly and is the most successful one in East County and beyond, Pursley said. At its Tuesday meeting, the Brentwood City Council will consider extending the season from March 31 through the middle of November. Pacific Coast has recently submitted a temporary useapplication to the city for this extension. "Brentwood has welcomed the Farmers Market with open arms. The support of the residents has been phenomenal," Brentwood Mayor Bob Taylor said. "We are known as the agricultural city of Eastern Contra Costa." He added that the weekly event has evolved into a family and neighborhood gathering spot. Taylor predicted that the revamped downtown will make the Brentwood Farmers Market on First Street between Oak and Chestnut streets even more of a regional draw. "The Farmers Market adds to the ambience downtown," Taylor said. With more market vendors, the city parking lot on Chesnut will be used for additional space, Pursley said. The market has always included fresh meats, fish, pastries, flowers and hot food. Pursley said that a new food vendor will bring in fresh fruit drinks and smoothies in addition to the ethnic hot food offerings from last year. When the market was forced to move to Maple Street last season to accommodate downtown construction, Pursley said that the downtown merchants missed the market in its original location. "We try not to compete too much with the local businesses," he said. "If the success continues, it will expand to a year-round market eventually." |
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