There's a New Market in Town
On June 3, 2021 a second weekly Ojai farmers’ market opens on Thursdays from 3–7pm at Chaparral Courtyard. “A farmer-focused, hyper-local, 501(c)3 nonprofit market filled with local, regenerative, small growers and under-resourced members of our community,” says Michelle Lopez, one of three founding members of the Ojai Community Farmers’ Market board, offering “a gathering space celebrating and supporting our foodshed’s resilience, to help cultivate an exemplary valley of farms.”
The goals of the market—the current board of which also consists of longtime Ojai residents Grace Malloy of Poco Farm; Julie Gerard, who will offer free legal advice to vendors; Heath Perry; and Steve Sprinkel, co-owner of Farmer and the Cook—are to provide food security and easy access to healthy food for all residents in the Ojai Valley, cultivate community and promote food education.
“This market is a living, breathing, changing space that will be shaped by the needs of our community,” says Malloy, who describes herself as a farm-based educator.
Over two years in the works, this second farmers’ market in Ojai offers more opportunity for vendors to grow their businesses, obtain organic certifications and expand their current product lines, something this market plans to assist with, even financially as possible.
The vendors aren’t the only beneficiaries, though. The board, which evolved from the Ojai Food Co-op movement, has obtained a grant to double the assistance dollars available for customers to spend at the market.
The market already boasts vendors including Ojai Rotîe, Sanders & Sons Gelato, Mission Beekeeping, Night Heron Farm, Golden State Papaya, Wild at Heart Ojai, Pan’s Garden Nursery, Rancho Del Pueblo, Frecker Farm and many more, but is still accepting vendor applications.
Thursdays, 3–7pm
414 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai
For a chance to volunteer, become a vendor, join the board or to learn more, visit OjaiCommunityFarmersMarket.com.
