Novato Farmers Market Opens Today

Tuesday's opening day of the Novato Farmer’s Market brings fresh fruit and vegetables, pony rides, jump houses, kettle corn, samosas and all the other good things that make the market a popular Tuesday night destination from 4-8 p.m. on Grant Avenue.

Regular vendors include Novato locals like Woodside Farms, FlourChylde Bakery and Thai Kettle. Chris Blackurn, the market manager, notes that the success of these vendors "is a testament to the market's role in incubating small local businesses. I've focused on bring local people into the mix to give the market a unique Novato flair."

But it's also an opportunity for new vendors to test their products out on a saavy focus group.  This season, Novato shoppers will be able to try organic beef, pork and free-range eggs from Tara Firma Farms of Petaluma.  Other new tastes include gluten free and vegan specialty foods from La Saison of Napa and fresh catch seafood from Mission Fish.

Despite rumors of a possible move of the market to another Novato location — including on Grant west of Redwood Boulevard — Blackburn confirms that the market will stay essentially in the same location and footprint as last year.

“We were exploring other areas; checked into other spaces that people suggested and looked at the plusses and minuses,” Blackburn said. “But we decided Grant Avenue is the perfect little spot.”

To work with the downtown businesses who front the blocked streets, Blackburn has made a point of introducing himself to all the brick-and-mortar merchants along Grant.

“I’ve spent a ton of time talking with the store owners to find out how we can make the market better and bring people downtown,” Blackburn said.

In addition, the Downtown Novato Business Association will have its own booth at the market to promote merchant events and to feature local businesses. 

DNBA Executive Director Jayne Belote said that their organization is working with the market’s management to address problems that come up but they primarily want to make sure that the storefronts are accessible to customers and streets are kept clean.

Tuesday night marks the 22nd farmer’s market season in Novato and Blackburn expects 45 vendors to participate. As the growing season transitions to stone fruit, more vendors will join, according to Blackburn. 

He noted that the much anticipated cherry season is dependent on good weather; but if all goes well, vendors should have cherries by the end of May.