Jeani Ferrari: There’s room for a second farmers market in Turlock

The board of the Turlock Certified Farmers Market supports Peter Cipponeri’s interest in operating a for-profit farmers market in Turlock. It seems reasonable the city of Turlock could support two farmers markets, especially with the differing business model each brings to the community.

Cipponeri’s model, as described to the Turlock Journal, is “a year-round market which includes expanding the current TCFM vendor radius to draw in more certified growers throughout the state and to facilitate more competition at the market to lower prices and maintain a steady flow of goods ... ‘I’m going to have enough produce so you don’t have to go to the grocery store if you don’t want to.’”

The TCFM features a wide variety of local vendors with a vast produce offering. Our market has been an invaluable asset to our local vendors and their families by supporting their livelihoods in a time when it’s often difficult to find profitable venues. Our produce vendors are from Turlock and the immediate area. TCFM only sells “local” and the board limits the number of vendors selling similar goods. By limiting the number of vendors selling the same produce and goods, our vendors make the profit they deserve.

This story was originally published February 15, 2016 at 12:56 PM with the headline "Jeani Ferrari: There’s room for a second farmers market in Turlock."