Turlock Certified Farmers Market gets new location – the fair

It didn’t take long for the Turlock Certified Farmers Market to find a new home.

The nonprofit organization, which ran the city’s downtown farmers market for six years, is moving to the Stanislaus County Fairgrounds, the fair announced Wednesday.

The Turlock Certified Farmers Market will now be held every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. from May 7 to Oct. 29, with blackout dates including two Saturdays of the fair (July 9 and 16).

The market will be located at the Ag Pavilion located near the Hilmar Cheese entrance gate or the West Gate off of Soderquist Rd.

The nonprofit organization officially withdrew its bid to continue its downtown location on March 21 after the city showed its interest for a competing bidder who will run a for-profit market.

“We have always worked towards having a farmers market here at the Fairgrounds and look forward to this partnership with Turlock Certified Farmers Market,” said Adrenna Alkhas, spokesperson for the Stanislaus County Fair. “The Fair started as The Melon Carnival, which makes it relevant that the Turlock Certified Farmers Market will now be held here at the Fairgrounds.”

The Turlock City Council voted on March 22 to give the Main Street market on Saturday mornings to the Golden State Farmers Market Association run by Peter Cipponeri.

Eight days later the nonprofit market has a new location.

“When Stanislaus County Fair graciously invited us to relocate to their property, it just felt like a natural fit. We have always admired their commitment to local agriculture and farmers, and now we are a part of their story,” stated Elizabeth Claes, Board Chair for the Turlock Certified Farmers Market. “TCFM is so excited to see what the future brings.”

Turlock Mayor Gary Soiseth, who received criticism for supporting the move to the for-profit group, said he was happy the nonprofit market found a new home.

“Two farmers markets in Turlock will be great,” Soiseth said in an email. “While I wanted to see cooperation between the two operators, I know that each market will be successful on its own. In the end, Turlock’s residents win by having two market options: one in our historic downtown and one at the Stanislaus County Fairgrounds."

Additional information, including list of vendors, sponsors, and contact information are available on the Turlock Certified Farmer’s Market’s website at www.turlockmarket.org.

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This story was originally published March 30, 2016 at 8:51 AM with the headline "Turlock Certified Farmers Market gets new location – the fair."