For the second consecutive year, the Turlock Certified Farmers’ Market will have a record number of vendors taking over downtown Turlock every Saturday for the coming months. With the market’s opening day just a week away on May 6, there are already 52 vendors registered to participate, with more applications expected to be finalized this week.
Among the returning vendors in 2023 are Lemon Up, Pablo's Salsa, Jars of Delicious, Maria's Mexican Food, Green Vine Canning, Ugly Duckling baby clothes, Gustine Gourmet Mushrooms, Ledesma Farms, Family Farms, J&J Fruit, Resendiz Fruit Barn, Wolfsen's Meat and Sausage Co., Johnson Bros. cutting boards, Yo Momma Tie Dye, Packwood's Flower Farm, Hummus Heaven, Cheese from Stuyt Farms and Petaluma Creamery, May Day Nursery, Athena's Gift Olive Oil, Flourish Sourdough Bakery, Drea's Kitchen, Jazzie's Sweets and Freckled Gem Café.
Also returning are Pageo Lavender Farm, Bella Vella Candle Co. and Soaps by Hailey. These vendors will continue to offer their regular products, but with a twist. This year, customers can bring their own bottles to buy refills of various household products ranging from dishwasher detergent and laundry soap to sunscreen and deodorant.
Honey vendor Golden Comb is another returner. Aside from their honey, they have sold bottled wine made from their own grapes over the past few years. With new state rules allowing local craft beers to be sold at farmers markets, they will be joined by Dying Breed Brewing to sell packaged beverages for the very first time.
Others who are new to the market include Miller Farms, Way of Life Farms, It’s Just Jerky, Coffee Dudes Co., Jamie's Seed+Stone jewelry, Fun Pair jewelry and Loved Creations personalized gifts. Way of Life Farms will be coming to the market with soy-free eggs, fresh fruits and veggies, and better-for-you baked goods all grown and prepared fresh in nearby Snelling. Meanwhile, Miller Farms will be selling Turlock-grown strawberries starting in May and going as long as the season allows. The seasons will also determine things for Sweet Side and their chocolate dipped frozen bananas. They expect to get underway at the market in June.
Joining everyone will be a trio of familiar faces from across Turlock. After a couple years off, Rosa's Portuguese Bakery and Crust and Crumb will be returning to the market with their full lines of breads, cookies, muffins, sweetbreads and other goodies. Similarly, Bistro 234 will be setting up outside their Main Street eatery to bring their popular Bistro's Beignets to the market.
Whether vendors are regulars, returners or entirely new to the Turlock Certified Farmers’ Market, they will all be accepting EBT for the first time ever. Starting in June, the market will be able to match customers' Cal-Fresh funds with Market Match. When customers come to the market to buy food with EBT cards, the market can issue matching funds to help those customers buy extra fruits and vegetables at the market. Funding for the program comes from a grant from the USDA and is designed to help support local farmers and to democratize access to the best fruits and vegetables on the market.
“It is a dream that I have had for several years since I was a customer at the farmers market,” said market director Nick Schuller.
The 2023 Turlock Certified Farmers Market will run every Saturday from May 6 through October, open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. along E. Main Street.
