Natomas Farmers’ Market Season Extended

BY BRANDY TUZON BOYD
THE NATOMAS BUZZ | @natomasbuzz

The Natomas farmers’ market will remain open through the month of October.

“Our poll and data this Saturday showed that we will be able to extend the farmers’ market at least through October,” said Dan Best, spokesman for Certified Farmers’ Markets. “I will conduct another analysis and poll in mid-October to evaluate the feasibility of going year around.”

Natomas farmer’s market, open 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturdays, 3671 N. Freeway Blvd. parking lot

The Natomas market first opened August 2010 in the Inderkum High School parking lot. A marked decline in shoppers at the seasonal market in 2011 prompted the farmers’ cooperative to seek a new, more central location earlier this year.

The market opened at its current site, the former Sam’s Club parking lot in The Promenade at Sacramento Gateway shopping center off North Freeway Boulevard, in June. The hope was to draw more customers from throughout the Natomas Basin area.

To date, Best reports farmers have been pleased with the new location and shopper turnout. The long-term goal is to operate a year-round farmers’ market in Natomas, he said.

“If we have the good numbers on both farmer and customer ends, we certainly will,” Best added. “But being successful through the winter months is always a challenge.”