Saturday Farmers’ Market adds fresh taste to historic downtown Redlands

Residents and visitors to Redlands who have a taste for fresh, locally-grown fruits and vegetables will find just what they’re looking for Saturday mornings in Redlands historic downtown.
A new Saturday Morning Certified Farmers’ Market will bring local growers to the City parking lot south of Redlands Boulevard between Fifth and Sixth streets near Ed Hales Park.
The Saturday Morning Certified Farmers Market will operate from 7 to 10 a.m. every Saturday, excluding holiday weekends, from June 6 through September 27 (click for up-coming dates).
The Redlands City Council approved the use of the municipal parking lot Feb. 3 after they were approached by the Downtown Redlands Business Association. On May 12 the DRBA board voted to begin the new Farmers’ Market beginning June 6.
The City parking lot between Fifth and Sixth streets provides the ideal environment for the Saturday Morning Certified Farmers Market, allowing growers vehicle access to replenish their produce. As demand grows, the Saturday Morning Certified Farmers Market could expand into Ed Hales Park and even portions of Fifth Street.
The Saturday Morning Certified Farmers Market is an expansion of the successful Market Night, which, in addition to a variety of merchants and entertainers, brings local growers to State Street every Thursday night. Tens of thousands of residents and out of town visitors come to the Thursday night market every year.
In addition to providing another venue for local growers, and a source of fresh produce for residents and visitors, the City and downtown business owners anticipate the Saturday Morning Certified Farmers Market will bring new customers to the historic downtown district where they can enjoy the unique shops and restaurants along State Street and the surrounding area. Area restaurants will be encouraged to open their doors earlier on Saturday morning to accommodate the additional customers.
The Saturday Morning Certified Farmers Market is sponsored in part by the Downtown Redlands Business Association, the University of Redlands, Bon Appetit, Farm Artisan Foods, the Redlands Daily Facts, the Redlands Conservancy, CapitalSource Bank and Citrograph Printing Company.

Press Release from Carl Baker, Public Information Officer, City of Redlands