Concord farmers market opens Tuesdays at Concord High

The Concord farmers market has reopened and will be open 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesdays temporarily at Concord High School.

The opening of the Thursday evening market has been postponed and will be determined at a later date.

As area farmers markets slowly return, the asparagus continues to grow, sweet cherries await harvesting, and lettuce and carrots shine. The local farmers need your support, so they can continue growing and selling their fruits and vegetables directly from the farm to you.

Farmers markets are designated an essential business during the coronavirus pandemic, although fewer farmers markets are open and farmers have had to improvise on how to sell their products. Some farmers have opened farm stands, some are offering CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) boxes, while others are kind enough to donate some of their produce to those in need.

The Urban Edge Farm in Brentwood offers a weekly farm stand, and Swank Farms in Hollister has an open-air market stand every week.

“The hens still lay eggs and we need to sell them,” says Shelly McMahon of Shelly’s Farm Fresh in Brentwood. “We come to as many markets as we can, but now we also have a place for people to purchase them at the farm.”

You may notice at your local grocery store that the industrial food system is struggling, and there is not a lot of fresh produce available on the shelves.

When you purchase from a farmers market, you not only get the freshest possible produce, you are also supporting local farmers who depend on selling their produce directly to customers. The Pacific Coast Farmers Market Association (PCFMA) and your local farmers wish to thank you, the local community and market customers for your continued support.

Asparagus is still available at farmers markets, along with spring artichokes, green onions, fava beans and peas. Look for the arrival of sweet cherries in May.

We are pleased that the Concord farmers market has reopened in a new location and hope you visit each week. PCFMA is committed to creating a safe environment at each farmers market and have implemented changes to operations. There is no sampling or handling of products, social distancing is observed, new booth configurations allow for easier distancing, and more safety measures have been enacted. Before you visit the farmers market, please become familiar with our Customer Safety Guidelines at pcfma.org/pcfma-coronavirus.

We hope you remain safe and healthy during this difficult time. Keep updated on any changes to our farmers market schedules through the market Facebook pages and email newsletter. Or visit pcfma.org to find current market information or to sign up for our monthly email newsletters.