New UC Santa Barbara Farmers Market Opens

A new Farmers Market has opened at UC Santa Barbara, and the first day turnout was so large it nearly cleaned out some of the growers.

There were 11 spots set aside in a campus parking lot for growers and other vendors.

They opened at 11 am and by lunchtime the turnout was shoulder to shoulder with customers.

They were filling their bags with avocados, lettuce, tomatoes, melons and cantaloupe. Pumpkins were also available.

One grower from Arroyo Grande said he was contacted to join the new project and quickly agreed to bring a truck load of produce down from his small farm. Eric Boyd from Peppercreek Farms says it’s been tough to get into some of the farmers markets sites.

There were also Goleta growers and farmers from Ventura County.

Carpinteria’s “Crazy Good Bread” sold loaves and gave out samples.

The owner of Sweet Lady Cook served up samples of her home made grape jelly and was nearly sold out in the first two hours.

Next Wednesday the market will have an official ribbon cutting and a live band.

The hours are 11 am to 3 pm in parking lot 23 between Isla Vista and the campus.

For more information about the market you can log on to:

https://www.facebook.com/gauchocertifiedfarmersmarket

Slideshow: New UC Santa Barbara Farmers Market Opens