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Lodi Lake will host a Saturday farmers market
This summer, Lodi residents will be able to stroll through a city-sponsored farmer's market on Saturday mornings at Lodi Lake.
While offering similar services, the city and the Downtown Lodi Business Partnership do not expect the market to compete with the Thursday night DLBP market because of the different time and setting.
The Downtown Lodi Farmers Market is more of a social gathering with bounce houses, a beer garden and live music, said Downtown Lodi Business Partnership Executive Director Jaime Watts.
"It is consistent, very established and runs efficiently," Watts said. "We have it down to a science, and it gets better and better every year."
The first Downtown farmer's market will take place June 4.
The Lodi Lake Farmer's Market, which is scheduled to start May 2, will offer produce, wine and homemade arts and crafts, said market organizer Marci Lavallis, who is also the Parks and Recreation senior administrative clerk.
"A lot of the element you are not going to get, that is typical of the festival type of atmosphere Downtown," she said.
Lodi should be able to handle two markets, because not everyone can make it to the Thursday night market, said interim Parks and Recreation Director Jim Rodems.
"We are not in competition," he said. "Both can thrive."
Lavallis and city staff already scheduled to be at the park will run the market. It will be held two Saturdays each month from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. The first markets will be at the Kiwanis Picnic Area until the Lodi Lake boathouse project is complete. Once that project is done, the market will move to the parking lot.
Rodems said the idea for the farmer's market did not come from city staff but instead from Recreation Commission member Ken Sasaki.
The market will cost nothing except Lavallis' staff time. Rodems said the market proceeds will probably cover that. Lavallis has heard from about 10 interested vendors.
A big difference between the markets is that the Downtown one is certified, while the one at the lake will not be. Certification means all growers are state licensed and their farms are inspected, Downtown market manager Jon Tecklenburg said. The growers must keep track of all their pesticides, and all the produce must be grown in California, he said.
Markets that are not certified can receive their produce from anywhere, including backyard growers, he said.
The city's market will not be certified the first year because it costs money to apply for certification, Lavallis said. She said if the market is successful, the city will work toward getting it certified in the future.
To ensure the produce is locally grown, Rodems said the city only sent out applications to about 60 local vendors.
Having a Saturday market will be good for people who cannot make it to the weeknight market because of work, family or other obligations, said Kathy Grant, Lodi Lake docents coordinator. It also helps that the produce will not be sitting out in the hot summer evening.
She said the planned location of the market at Lodi Lake Park shouldn't be a problem because people already heavily use it.
The popularity of farmer's markets in California might make it hard for the city to get vendors, Tecklenburg said. His farm, Tecklenburg Ranch, sends workers on Saturday to farmer's markets in Concord, San Mateo, two in Sacramento and Stockton to sell his fuji and gala apples and ambrosia and Can-Dew melons.
"The problem is they've come along late in the game," Tecklenburg said. "All the professional growers that work the farmer's markets already have a place to go on a Saturday."
Contact reporter Maggie Creamer at maggiec@lodinews.com or read her blog City Buzz.
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Maggiecreamer wrote on Apr 13, 2009 1:19 PM:
Thanks,
Reporter Maggie "
David Nielsen wrote on Apr 12, 2009 7:36 PM:
RaiderHater wrote on Apr 11, 2009 1:27 PM:
lodi_mom102 wrote on Apr 10, 2009 5:59 PM:
Whoa Nellie! wrote on Apr 10, 2009 4:35 PM:
What? Whats that sound? Oh, it's the LDBP business crying when the Thursday attendance drops due to this GREAT idea!
To go on Thursdays the parking is horrible, it can be very hot, and they've brought in too many entertainment items for a true "Farmer's Market" for my liking.
I agree with my pal Midtowner, a new family tradition! A nice Sat AM bike ride, fresh fruits, veggies, etc. AWESOME! "
Aimee wrote on Apr 10, 2009 12:04 PM:
I am so there....what a good idea!
shaggy/weezer: someone please correct me if I wrong, but if you walk into Lodi Lake, you can get in free. They only charge to bring your car in and park during certain hours and certain functions.
Hopefully that will not change for this event (walking in for free). "
weezer wrote on Apr 10, 2009 11:38 AM:
weezer wrote on Apr 10, 2009 11:37 AM:
reality wrote on Apr 10, 2009 11:36 AM:
David Nielsen wrote on Apr 10, 2009 10:21 AM:
shaggy wrote on Apr 10, 2009 9:33 AM:
but what about the entrance fee? "
midtowner wrote on Apr 10, 2009 9:26 AM:
4AStrongLodi wrote on Apr 10, 2009 9:16 AM:
Cogito wrote on Apr 10, 2009 8:37 AM:
educator wrote on Apr 10, 2009 8:13 AM:
rockyk70 wrote on Apr 10, 2009 7:34 AM:
T & C wrote on Apr 10, 2009 7:25 AM:
Comments on this story are now closed.