Farmers Market extended by 2 weeks

This season has been a rough one for the annual Vacaville Farmers Market, with a delayed opening due to COVID-19 and the fires in August that resulted in two vendors losing their property and crops.

In light of the challenges the market has faced this year, the Downtown Vacaville Business Improvement District (DVBID) — in partnership with the city of Vacaville and Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market Association — will be extending it by two weeks, Downtown Vacaville officials wrote in a news release.

The market opened for the year May 2, although organizers planned back in spring to open the market two weeks earlier than usual to take advantage of the fresh produce and cooler weather. However, the COVID-19 pandemic brought those plans to a halt, so the market commenced around its usual time in early May.

“The market got off to a small but mighty start,” Brooke Fox, DVBID’s executive director, said in the statement, “but it has been growing weekly.”

To commemorate the market in this turbulent year and raise funds for the DVBID, farmers’ market tote bags are now available for purchase. The bags feature artwork by Richard Rico, local artist and former longtime publisher of The Reporter, and are intended to hold all of the fruits and vegetables purchased at the market or to be used as a gift for others, officials wrote.

Bags can be purchased at the market for $20 or online at DowntownVacaville.com for $25 plus shipping.

Among the businesses and organizations that sponsored the bag project were Cloth Carousel, KMG Mortgage, La Borgata Italian Deli, Merriment on Main, Plata Realty Group, Primo’s Barbershop, Realty ONE Group Fox, Reynolds Law, School of Rock, TJ’s Tavern and Vibe Salon.

The market runs Saturdays 8 a. m. to noon through Oct. 24 in Andrews Park. Admission is free, and complimentary street parking is available on East Main Street and at the Georgie Duke Center parking lot, 720 E. Monte Vista Ave.

Face coverings are required, and food samples and live music will not be available like they were in the past. Hand-washing stations will also be available.

Shoppers are advised to enter through the bridge at Davis and Main streets and exit via School Street. Dogs on leashes will be allowed in the park but not in the market area.

For more information, visit VacavilleFarmersMarket.com or call 451-2100.