Craving farm-fresh? Farmers market brings it to Modesto — earlier than ever

For four decades, the community has enjoyed buying fresh local produce directly from the farmers who grow it. The joy returns on Thursday when the Modesto Certified Farmer's Market opens for its 40th year.

And while opening day on March 15 will bring plenty of vendors and other traditional features, a 40th anniversary celebration on April 7 promises even more for the outdoor market's patrons to leave with, according to Manager Marie Uber.

"There will be lots of giveaways for people showing up at the market (April 7)," she said. There also will be music and crafts for kids as well as a cooking demonstration by Chef David Bradford who will prepare samples using seasonal produce.

But first, there's this week's opening, which leads the way for 2018's seasonal markets across Stanislaus County. Held twice weekly, the Thursday opening will be followed on Saturday with a special menu of St. Patrick's Day events including the Mick Lucey Group performing from 9 a.m. to noon, Irish puppetry, traditional Irish food and a four-leaf clover competition for children.

The Modesto market has been at its same downtown location for all 40 of its years and is among the oldest in California, Uber said. This year's March opening is a couple of weeks earlier than usual, and gets the market — which now closes in late December each year — closer to becoming a year-round event.

"We have lots of food vendors and I think the weather has always been rather nice in March so we have enough to keep it going early," Uber said. "So I guess the question was 'why not?' We've had so many requests for a year-round market and we keep inching ever so close."

This year, more than 60 vendors will line up their carts and booths along 16th Street to peddle their products, from farm-fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, honey and other foods to crafts, hair care and facial products. There's always lunch to grab for those downtown, and this year two Modesto restaurants will join the vendors: Commonwealth and the Ice Cream Company, Uber said.

The Modesto Certified Farmers Market runs 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursdays and Saturdays on 16th Street, between H and I streets. For more, see modestocfm.com.

Starting in April and May, other county communities also will see the return of their farmers markets; here's a look at a few that are set to open:

The Turlock Certified Farmers Market returns in April, back at the Stanislaus County Fairgrounds where the market moved in 2016 after losing a battle for its previous downtown location. "It's turned out to be a better spot for us," said Manager Derek Griffin, allowing for more room to grow, electricity, better parking for patrons and other amenities.

This year, there will be a stronger emphasis on weekly market calendars, he said, with more cooking demonstrations and other events. Opening day this year coincides with a bluegrass music festival going on at the fairgrounds, allowing for plenty of music to hear while strolling the vendors.

Open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., The Turlock Certified Farmers Market runs April 21 to Oct. 14 at the fairgrounds, 900 Broadway. turlockmarket.org

For those who enjoy their farmers markets in the evenings, the Central Park Evening Market returns to Turlock in May. Spring-summer evening strolls through the vendors will include live music and more events for kids this year.

The Central Park Evening Market will run 5 to 8 p.m. Thursdays from May 3 through Sept. 27 at Central Park, Golden State Boulevard and Main Street in Turlock. www.centralparkmarketturlock.com

Another evening market, the Patterson Farmers Market, returns in May. This will be 10th year for the West Side market, according to Caroline Bogdanich, who helps husband Marion Bogdanich manage the Patterson events. New this year is a vendor with Mediterranean foods and another vendor will add grass-fed beef to their selections. There will be children's activities and live music each week.

The Patterson Farmers Market is open from 4 to 8 p.m. May 9 through the last week of September at the True Value Shopping Plaza, 1040 West Las Palmas Ave. www.facebook.com/Patterson-Farmers-Market.

In Hughson, the city's Chamber of Commerce has taken over the evening Hughson Downtown Farmers Market, which opens in May this year. The Hughson market is adding EBT and WIC options for shoppers, which "opens our market to so many more people who can get their fruits and vegetables here, along with so many other things," said Gina Vazquez, chamber marketing director. There's plenty to enjoy during the events in addition to fresh produce, including music, a brewery or winery on site each week, hot food and more.

Opening May 31, the Hughson Downtown Farmers Market runs 5 to 8 p.m. Thursdays through Aug. 30 at Charles Street and Hughson Avenue. www.facebook.com/HughsonMarket.

This story was originally published March 10, 2018 at 2:59 PM with the headline "Craving farm-fresh? Farmers market brings it to Modesto — earlier than ever."