Davis Farmers Market named "2013 Business of the Year" by Davis Chamber

The Davis Chamber of Commerce has named Davis Farmers Market as the winner of their "2013 Bill Streng Business of the Year" award. The honor is bestowed on those businesses in Davis that "exemplify qualities of excellence, service, innovation and creativity in business, industry or the community."

The Market is well-known as a local food mecca, a social gathering spot, and a cultural mainstay in Davis. What is less known is its significant role as an economic driver.

Combined average attendance at the Wednesday and Saturday markets exceeds 500,000 visitors annually. The market also provides a marketing, fundraising and outreach venue for more than 500 community groups each year. Even more significant is Davis Farmers Market's financial impact on the downtown area each Saturday. A Downtown Davis economic study in 2008 found that the average Saturday Market attendee spent an additional $21 in the downtown area. Market manager Randii MacNear says that amount has increased in recent years.

The Market, founded by UC Davis students in 1976 is also a great example of how research and ideas can transfer from the University to serve the greater community. "As market manager Randii MacNear points out, "Direct farm-to-consumer food sales is the sexiest research-to-jobs transfer that's ever emerged from UC Davis."

The Market will be honored at the Davis Chamber's Community Luncheon on Tuesday, June 4th at Odd Fellows Hall. To purchase tickets, visit www.davischamber.com.

 

Picnic in the Park every Wed., 4:30-8:30 thru Oct. 30

Break out the picnic blankets and baskets for Picnic in the Park, Wed. 4:30–8:30 pm thru Oct. Davis Food Co-op sponsors live music from local bands (5 pm to dark). Shop the farmers market, buy dinner at the International Food Faire, visit Davis Soroptimists' beer & wine booth, & entertain your kids with Central Park's bicycle-powered carousel, Rocknasium's climbing structure, Bouncing Bungalows, face-painting, pony rides by Pony Ranch Parties & balloon whiz Dilly Dally the Clown.

International Food Faire offers specialties to tantalize worldly palates from El Mariachi Taqueria, Raja's Tandoor, Kathmandu Kitchen, Thai Recipes, and East West Gourmet. Other food vendors include Monticello Seasonal Cuisine, The Buckhorn, Ciocolat,  Fat Face, The Hotdogger, Original's Steve's Pizza, Bare Juices, Davis Creamery,Upper Crust Bakery, Davis Bread & Desserts, OctoberFeast Bakery & Kettlepop.

Local bands provide Bluegrass, Americana, Rock 'n Roll, Folk, Blues, Dixieland, Big Band, Rockabilly, Dance Music, R& B, World Music, & Latin Fusion music. Check our Facebook page for details each week. Here is the music schedule for 2013.

Documentary about Davis Farmers Market goes public on YouTube

The 27-minute documentary about our Market–-Farmers' Markets: Love at First Bite–-is now available for viewing on YouTube.

 

Postcards on Sale

Eight full-color postcards are now on sale at the Market Shed during Market hours. Each postcard features people and scenes of Davis's well-loved farmers market. Postcards are 50¢ each, or $3.00 for a package of all eight designs.

 

Cookbook wins two national awards!

 

The Davis Farmers Market Cookbook received two national awards: first place for non-fiction in the Writer's Digest 2012 Contest for Self-Published books; another national award for first place in the 2012 National Indie Excellence Book Awards in the Regional Cookbook category.

 

The cookbook takes a seasonal approach with its recipes and bases them on ingredients which can be found at farmers markets. Buy The Cookbook at the Market Shed & at local retailers: The Avid Reader in Davis and Sacramento; Ace Hardware in Davis; Davis Food Co-op; Nugget Markets; Sacramento Natural Foods Coop; Amazon.com & at www.DavisFarmersMarketCookbook.com.

 

For a sneak peek at the Cookbook, go to: http://davisfarmersmarketcookbook.com

 

Looking for another California farmers market?

Visit the California Certified Farmers Market site.