Oildale Farmers Market expands, offering more
| Wednesday, Jun 23 2010 07:16 PM
Last Updated Wednesday, Jun 23 2010 07:16 PM
Craving fresh blueberries? Maybe a few ears of corn to go with barbecue? The following are locations, dates and times for every Certified Farmers Market in Kern County.
Kern Farmers' Market Association
* Golden State Certified Farmers Market -- open year-round from 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays at Golden State Mall, Bakersfield.
* Ridgecrest Certified Farmers Market -- open year-round from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Fridays at Triangle Drive/Ridgecrest Boulevard, Ridgecrest.
* Downtown Street Fair Certified Farmers Market -- open April through June from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. the third Thursday of every month at 19th Street and Chester Avenue, Bakersfield.
* Shafter Certified Farmers Market -- open May through September from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays at James Street and Central Avenue, Shafter.
* Bakersfield Public Health Department Certified Farmers Market -- open May through September from 3 to 6 p.m. Wednesdays at 1800 Mt. Vernon Ave., Bakersfield.
* Oildale Farmers Market -- open May 25 through at least Labor Day from 3 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays at 1510 N. Chester Ave. at Norris Road.
Tehachapi Farmers' Market
* Tehachapi Farmers' Market -- open May through September from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursdays at Tehachapi Boulevard and South Robinson Street, Tehachapi.
Tesch Family Farms
* Clinica Sierra Vista/Lamont Community Health Center -- open May through November from 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesdays at 8787 Hall Road, Lamont.
* Clinica Sierra Vista/Delano Community Health Center -- open May through November from 2 to 5 p.m. Tuesdays at 1508 Garces Highway, Delano.
* Clinica Sierra Vista/East Bakersfield Community Health Center -- open May through November from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursdays at 815 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Bakersfield.
Nuui Cunni Farmers Market
* Nuui Cunni Farmers Market -- open year-round from 6 a.m. to noon Saturdays at 2600 Highway 155, Lake Isabella.
Valley Bible Fellowship/Joe's Market
* Valley Bible Fellowship/Joe's Market -- open year-round from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sundays at Joe's Market, 2300 E. Brundage Lane, Bakersfield.
Kaiser Permanente Kern Co. Certified Farmers' Market
* Kaiser Permanente Kern Co, Certified Farmers' Market -- open year-round from 3 to 7 p.m. Thursdays at 8800 Ming Ave., Bakersfield.
Brimhall Market
* Brimhall Market -- open year-round from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays at 9500 Brimhall Road, Bakersfield.
Certified Farmers Market & Merchant Faire
* Certified Farmers Market & Merchant Faire -- open year-round from 9 a.m to 4 p.m. Thursdays and Saturdays at 2000 F St., Bakersfield.
Jensen and Chai Vang
* Central Park Farmers' Market -- open May through September from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays at 19th and Q streets, Bakersfield.
* Cecil Park Farmers' Market -- open May through December from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays at 17th Avenue and Norwalk Street, Delano.
Source: Kern County Department of Agriculture & Measurement Standards
Images
Murray Farms was selling a variety of berries during Tuesday's Oildale Certified Farmers' Market with the help of the Kern County Department of Public Health. It is open every Tuesday from 3 to 6 p.m. on North Chester and Norris Road.
A row of vendors line a portion of Chester Avenue at Norris Road in Oildale during Tuesday's Oildale Certified Farmers' Market along with the Kern County Department of Public Health.
Anne Stephens, left, of Amberhill Farm, talks with a customer, Patricia Puskarich, while selling sweet onions Tuesday in Oildale. This is part of the Oildale Certified Farmers' Market.
Fresh blueberries, string beans and squash were piled high on tables, sno-cones were assembled in a tent and a local band pounded out rock tunes near the end of the street.
Irvin Pike bypassed them all. He had carbs on his mind.
"I'm here for the bread," Pike said.
Dakota bread, specifically, sold by Great Harvest Bread Company, which also had muffins, brownies and other baked goods for sale. The selection of what's available at the Certified Farmer's Market in Oildale is a testament to Kern County Department of Public Health's mission to attract people to farmers markets by offering more than just fruits and veggies.
The produce remains the focus, however.
"It's about supporting our local farmers and providing some economic stability," said Dr. Avtar Nijjer-Sidhu, community health capacity building specialist for the county and a driving force in creating a partnership with the department and four local markets.
The Oildale market only had a trial run of a few weeks last year, but this year it will be open every Tuesday throughout the summer. The department also partners with markets at Central Park, at department headquarters on Mt. Vernon Ave. and in Delano.
Held in areas where fresh, healthy produce isn't always readily available, the markets provide an alternative to what residents usually encounter. The Mt. Vernon location, for example, is in an area of town flooded with fast-food establishments, Nijjer-Sidhu said.
The hope is that, given the option, people will opt for carrots and zucchini instead of grease bombs like burgers and pizza.
It seems to be working. Dick Taylor, of Kern County Supervisor Mike Maggard's office, said attendance at the Oildale market has grown each week. Maggard's district includes Oildale.
Betty Blevins and Liz Hernandez work near the Oildale setup at North Chester Avenue and Norris Road. A short walk and a quick browse later, they were loaded up with greens and starches.
"It's convenient. I just grab what I need," Hernandez said while holding a bag of potatoes and beans.
Catching up with friends is another selling point of farmers markets, department of public health spokeswoman Kim Rodriguez said. She's seen numerous instances of people walking up to each other, saying "Hey, I haven't seen you in a while," and continuing to talk as they shop.
Local farmers said the Oildale spot lets them reach groups that may not otherwise have come across their merchandise.
Anne Stephens of Amberhill Farm was trying to get rid of a huge crop of onions. She grows produce all year long.
"(The farmer's market) is an outlet for my bad habit of growing things," Stephens said with a laugh.
Connie Roberts Coleman, of Coleman Farms, has managed a stand at the Oildale market both last year and now. This summer, there's more selection, and business has picked up throughout June, she said.
"We're selling local product to the people," Coleman said. "People are eating more vegetables. We just need to make more homegrown, local produce available."
And maybe a brownie or two won't hurt either.
