BERKELEY, Calif.一 Peaches, massages, pastries and beeswax do not have much in common, but every Saturday, they are just one part of what makes up the liveliness of the Downtown Berkeley Farmers’ Market.
The East Bay Ecology Center regulates the market to promote small and local farms with environmentally friendly practices.
The farmers’ market attracts all kinds of people, whether it be locals who visit regularly, vendors who set up shop, or professional chefs looking for the freshest ingredients for their kitchens.
Mil Apostol, a professional chef and caterer from Albany, California, has been frequenting several Berkeley farmers’ markets for years.
“It tastes better, to me.” Apostol said, “What I would rather do is have my own garden, but I can’t do that, so this is second. Not second, but best.”
The farmers’ market is home to small, local businesses, who are here looking to promote their products while being in touch with the community.
“You’re supporting local farms which also helps with your community so, it’s all about helping your fellow community,” said Jenna Dragonetti, a part-time employee of Miss Bee Haven, a Bay Area beekeeping company that sells all kinds of honey, beeswax, and pollen-based products.
They also offer bee removal services, where customers can call and have the bees placed in a new hive instead of having them exterminated.
But not all of the small business vendors at the market were always Berkeley locals.
Trinka Hommel, a masseuse who originated from the East Coast, didn’t originally plan to move to California.
“I actually lost my job in New Jersey and I didn’t intend to come to California to stay. I actually have family and friends in several different states so I just intended to take a little road trip and ended up staying in California,” Hommel said.
In addition to community outreach, all products sold at the farmers’ market are organic and environmentally friendly.
Zero waste farms, like Frog Hollow Farm, tend to set up multiple stands at the market. The goal is to successfully sell every fruit and avoid wasting resources.
“Whatever doesn’t sell at the fruit stand gets sent to our farm kitchen,” Trinity Murchie, Frog Hollow’s farmers’ market coordinator, said.
Not only does the market have plenty of healthy foods, but customers think it is a great place to hang out and socialize.
Sylvia Spears, a weekly customer, comes to the market with a specific list, but also enjoys everything going on around the market.
“I just like getting all the fresh food and I like the selection,” Spears said. “I also like looking at the people and what they wear.”
Since 1987, the Ecology Center farmers’ markets have been a great place for locals to come together and be a part of their community while having access to fresh and organic products.
First-time customer, Yuxuan Wang said, “I love organic food. I think I’m going to come to the market more often.”