Chico, Sustainable

If one were to try to identify Chico's greatest resource, the University and Bidwell Park immediately come to mind.

However, there are many that could make a strong argument that the year-round Saturday Farmers' Market deserves that top honor.

Not only is it a source of the freshest, tastiest food and produce in town--I am partial to Dave Miller's California Sun bread and the Pyramid Farm carrots--but is also has the highest concentration of smiling faces that Chico sees each week.

If I just want to get my food and go, I get there at 7:30 am. If I want to catch up with the friends and neighbors in my community, I get there later.

Very few folks are there at 7:30.

But if the Saturday Market has one fault, it is this:

It is too small.

This past week, on the first Saturday of the Spring, it was a mob scene. There was a traffic jam of bodies by Hearth and Stone breads, and another by the gentleman selling willow-cane furniture. People were lined up 4 and 5 deep to buy tomato starts.

The most successful vendors seemed to be the ones with multiple people working the stall.

Though I am still a Chico newbie (this is only my second spring), I predict that the Saturday Market's popularity will grow to record levels in the upcoming weeks and months.

More people are waking up to the importance of fresh food, and supporting local food producers.
More people are craving--and finding--community at the Farmers' Market.

Terry Givens, if you are reading this, I hope you and the vendors are ready. I predict a tidal wave is coming.