Berkeley Farmer’s Market – Teen Observer Archive

July 31, 2019August 1, 2019

Market stays local, some businesses stay small

BERKELEY, Calif. — The Berkeley Farmers’ Market put up its first tents in 1987 to promote local, organic agriculture, sustainable farming and family business. Thirty-two years later, despite growing in size and popularity, their core beliefs and mission haven’t changed; the markets’ continue to tout a family-friendly environment brought together by more than 50 small businesses.

Kathleen Peterson and Barbara Winters, two friends who regularly shopped at the market, said they preferred purchasing groceries from small local vendors as opposed to supermarket chains, citing the freshness of the product and “[trusted] that it is directly from the farm.”

The two also said they find smaller businesses more trustworthy.

“I know it’s been grown yesterday or today, so it’s really fresh,” Peterson said.

Not only do shoppers favor small businesses, but also some small businesses prefer to stay small.

Sharon McCoy, of Bee Healthy Honey, says, “It works for us. If it gets too big, it gets out of control…There’s a pretty fine balance when you have a small business, where it’s just big enough to make decent money to support your family, or it’s too big and now it’s out of control … You either get huge or you stay small. The in-between is where you get in trouble.”

Bee Healthy Honey has been in business for 40 years. “Honey is one of those things where, in order for it to be good for you, you have to eat local honey,” McCoy said.

Blue Bottle Coffee, once an indie brand in the Bay Area, was acquired by Nestlé in 2017 and has since experienced a drop in customers in some parts of the country.

“They say that nothing is going to change, but I don’t know,” customer Christina Schnabel said. “Mass production and capitalism are inherently violent,” she added.

When her family expanded to sell produce to big corporations — including to Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods — matters became stressful, Jessica Sifuentes of Kaki Farms said.

“We actually had to reduce due to budgeting for control,” she said, adding that it was difficult to keep up because most of their produce did not grow year-round.

“Definitely better to stay smaller,” she said.

The Farmers’ Market unifies small businesses and customers to create genuine, trusting relationships all-around.

“I’m recognizing more people that come around here every week, and some of the customers,” Winters said.

August 8, 2015August 20, 2015

Berkeley market brings community together

BERKELEY, Calif – The weekly Berkeley’s farmers’ markets, headed by the nonprofit organization for eco-education, The Ecology Center, bring together all different aspects of the Berkeley community.

In addition to the innumerable vendors selling sweet, juicy fruit, organic vegetable stands line the street. — Growers brought vegetable and fruit stands to showcase the August produce on Saturday. Customers visit the Ecology Center’s markets every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday to pick the best of the fresh produce for their weekly meals. Photo by Victoria Edwards

Organic, raw sauerkraut and vegan, chocolate ice-cream pop up among the many new innovative foods at the weekly Berkeley Farmers’ Market. But some stands are rich in history and tradition.

Artie Flores works at Kashiwase Farms, run by a third-generation Japanese-American family in Winton, California.

It is headed by Steven Kashiwase, who inherited the farm from his father in 1976. Originally, the farm grew basic fruits and nuts that were destined for canning and processing. However, he made the choice to slowly convert the farm into one that grew non-processed, organic fruits.

It was officially certified organic in 1983 by The California Certified Organic Farmers foundation. Kashiwase Farms’ most popular fruits are its vast varieties of Asian pears and peaches.

Flores doesn’t have a favorite. “The white varieties are sweeter. The yellows are a balance of sweet and tartness, but that’s what gives it the flavor,” he said.

Why do he and Kashiwase sell their peaches here every Saturday?

“Berkeley is nicknamed Berserkly, and for good reason,” said Flores. “Berkeley has the notoriety of being an eccentric community. It’s zany. I like that zaniness.”

Along with Flores, hundreds of people are attracted to the zany, colorful vibe the Berkeley farmers’ markets offer, including recent Berkeley journalism graduate and aspiring filmmaker, Mike Milano. “I come to take in sights, sounds, smells, feelings. All things important to write about,” said Milano.

Although he just graduated, Milano has been able to work with HBO and Netflix in Los Angeles and planned to film the presidential debate hosted in Cleveland recently. He premiered his own 27-minute short film, “The Blue Wall,” here in Berkeley on May 15th. “It’s a story about fear and violence in America,” said Milano “I am using that film as a pilot and trailer for a larger project in Cleveland to be shot over the coming year.”

Many shoppers also come to the markets every week for the live music, played by artists such as Lindell Reeves. After playing with groups like The Dell and The Spaniards, Reeves prefers playing independently at the market. "I don't have to worry about the man," said Reeves. — Many shoppers also come to the markets every week for the live music, played by artists such as Lindell Reeves. After playing with groups like The Dell and The Spaniards, Reeves prefers playing independently at the market. “I don’t have to worry about the man,” said Reeves. Photo by Victoria Edwards

Even after constant traveling, what is it that keeps this rising star coming back to the farmers’ market? “They have great coffee,” said Milano.

For Dante Kaleo, an ecology center youth assistant and Berkeley City College student, the draw is people.

“We just make each other laugh. It’s like a little family,” said Kaleo. After previously working a fast-food job, Kaleo knows the value of a positive, family-like feel, as well as being passionate about the work you pursue, he said. Kaleo learned more about the Ecology Center and the work it does to educate people on how to live healthier, happier lives by being proactive about their diet and environment. He then joined the Ecology Center team in 2011, working with the Youth Department.

Now, his jobs vary from training groups of teens to supporting the Ecology Center’s Farm Fresh Choice stands, which are low-cost community produce stands, to educating middle- and high-school students about the effects of climate change.

“I get a paycheck, but I feel like I’m giving back to my community. This is my community,” he said.

August 8, 2014

Steel and String: dynamic duo at the market

Typically customers at a farmers’ market are grasping for their favorite organic produce. The fruits and vegetables excite the sense of smell and sight, but rarely does anything at the market capture the sense of sound like the musical duo of Steel and String. The unique, shield-like instrument and melodic violin create a harmonious blend of sound.

The combination of the rare Hang instrument and classical violin contribute to the couple’s distinct musical style. Comprised of Kevin Kihara and MJ Lee, Steel and String has been together since Spring 2014 and have been performing as street entertainers at the Berkeley Farmers’ Market for three weeks.

Hang instrumentalist and vocalist Kihara has been playing the unusual instrument for one and a half years. He describes the instrument as the “evolution of the steel drum.” It was invented by Swiss company PanArt in 2001 and 100 to 200 were produced annually. Today, however, production has ceased, which contributes to the Hang’s rarity.

Singer-songwriter and violinist Lee has been playing been playing violin since she was 4 years old. She plays both independently and collaboratively with other artists in the San Francisco area, according to her website,

Referring to the creation of Steel and String, Lee said, “I saw him playing and was impressed with his skills an musicality, so I asked him whether he might be open to playing with a violinist. The rest is history!”

Lee describes the duo’s style as a type of “free-flowing improvisation.” This makes every performance special to those who view their performances. She emphasizes that it is “quality over quantity in terms of audience.” Although massive crowds may not form, to hear feedback from those who do view the duo’s performances makes performing so rewarding for the pair. They are looking to expand their venues where they can play to include schools, restaurants, outdoor festivals and others.

Lee said, “This is a new and exciting venture for us both, and we’re excited to see where it goes!”