Farmers Market adds live music, new farms

The Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market Association and the city of Clayton are excited to welcome back the Clayton Farmers Market on May 13.
The market, at 6095 Main St. in downtown Clayton, will be open 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays through Oct. 14. The entire community is invited to join the opening day fun, starting with a ceremonial cabbage toss at 10 a.m. led by Mayor Jim Diaz.

Lynette Miscione, market manager for Clayton, is eager for the market’s return. “We took all of the feedback we’ve received from last year and the previous year and have worked hard to make this market one that the community can truly love and support,” she says. “It will be bigger and better than ever this year, and I hope to see everyone out enjoying the sun and supporting local farmers on Saturdays.”

On opening day, customers can listen to live music from the Black Pack while browsing vendor stalls. There will be close to a dozen new farms and artisan producers at the market, offering everything from fruits and vegetables to specialty items. Try Crispy Pop’s kettle corn for a tasty snack, or head to Clayton’s own Hanson Family Farms for sustainably sourced grass-fed meats – perfect for summer barbecues. If you’re visiting the market early, grab a baked good from Upper Crust Baking Co. and a cup of coffee from Souvenir Coffee Co.

Maureen Everett, a marketing and promotions team member at Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market Association, hopes that the community will take extra advantage of seasonal produce items that will be popping up in the next couple of months.

“Cherries have just arrived; you can find them at the Gotelli Farms stand. They have a very short season and are very popular, so get some while you can,” Everett says. “Stone fruit will also be arriving at the market, shaking off a long and wet winter and ushering in the summer.”

Mother’s Day is the Sunday following the market opening, and the Clayton Farmers Market wants to make sure people celebrate mom in the best way possible. The whole family is encouraged to come and enjoy the opening festivities, grab lunch, catch the live music and stop by the Mother’s Day photo booth. There will a photographer on hand to snap photos of families and friends that will later be shared through the Clayton Farmers Market Facebook page.

The Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market Association (PCFMA) is a 501(c)(5) nonprofit organization based in Concord whose mission is to empower California farmers to be enormously successful in Bay Area communities. Founded in 1988, PCFMA operates more than 50 certified farmers markets in six Bay Area counties.

All PCFMA farmers markets accept WIC-FMNP (Woman, Infants and Children Farmers Market Nutrition Program) coupons, CalFresh EBT and offer Market Match benefits. If individuals are curious about these programs, make sure to chat with the market manager at the Clayton Farmers Market.