VENTURA — Spring brings fresh offerings and changes to the Ventura County Certified Farmers’ Market Association (VCCFMA). With the unpredictable weather over the last year, the season has changed and is affecting many of the fruits and their cycles.
Farmers are currently accessing their crops and the availability and seasonal changes that come along with it. Gregory Mizuno of Mizuno Farms reports that cooler weather has slowed their bloom season. “I expect our fruit season to start a little later this year because of the cooler weather and run later as well, predicting mid to late September,” stated Mizuno. Mizuno Farms offers several varieties of stone fruits including blackberries, nectarines and peaches.
According to Top Notch Produce, their season will most likely start in May due to weather and will begin with nectarines. “With the late frost we received this year, we did incur some frost damage,” sated Eddie Chavez of Top Notch Produce. “We are hoping we will have cherries and apricots as well earlier in the season,” he added.
The volatile weather has also affected strawberries, causing damage to the crops with the heavier rainfall that occurred in March. With some fruits having damage, others are thriving. Murray Farms is predicting a strong apricot season this year and cherries are also forecast to be strong.
In addition to weather changes, the VCCFMA has welcomed two new vendors. These include Vida Natural Baking Company, offering Brazilian cheesy snack size bread found at the Downtown Ventura Farmers’ Market on Saturday mornings and at the Oaks Shopping Center on Thursday afternoons. Also joining in is Caroline’s Marmalade, bringing family recipes from France also available at the Saturday and Thursday markets.
The Ventura County Certified Farmers’ Market Association provides gift certificates for special occasions plus canvas gift bags. And, for those who cherish nostalgia, a 1986 farmers market cookbook full of great recipes using local produce and tasty fruit selections is also available for purchase.
For more information on the spring season and new offerings, call 805-529-6266, or visit the website at www.vccfarmersmarkets.com.
About the Ventura County Certified Farmers’ Market Association: The Ventura County Certified Farmers’ Market Association serves the community of Ventura with two Markets — Wednesdays at the Pacific View Mall, front west parking lot on Main Street from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and on Saturdays in Downtown Ventura on the corners of East Santa Clara and Palm Streets from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon. The Thousand Oaks Farmers’ Market is held Thursdays at The Oaks Shopping Center at the east end parking lot, Wilbur Road and Thousand Oaks Boulevard from 1:30 to 6:00 p.m. Santa Clarita Farmers’ Market is held on Sundays at the College of the Canyons, parking lot 5 on Valencia Boulevard from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon.