Summer brings farmers' markets

The slowly rising mercury means picnics and barbecues but it also means an abundance of fresh produce any day of the week at a number of summertime farmers’ markets in San Mateo County.

‘Tis the season for squash, watermelon, peaches and plums. It’s time to find the reusable canvas bags, a few dollars cash and head to the College of San Mateo, Laurel Street, the Belmont train station or any number of farmers markets in the county. Today marks the beginning of Hot Harvest Nights, the San Carlos farmers market in its fourth season.

The market is considered the second largest in the county behind Saturday’s market at the College of San Mateo, said Allen Moy, assistant director for the Pacific Coast Farmers Market Association.

"San Mateo County is one of the best for farmers’ markets in the Bay Area. It has a shopping base that is committed to the markets,” Moy said.

There’s no telling if the green movement sweeping across the country has people taking a greater interest in sustainable living by buying locally at farmers’ markets.

But the numbers don’t lie. People like fresh.

It’s become more and more popular. People come to do errands, meet friends, meet spouses after work, listen to music,” said Kathy Rollefstad, project coordinator for the San Carlos Chamber of Commerce, which organizes the market.

At last count the market attracts approximately 3,000 people a night and has a large number of produce, specialty food and dessert stands. It also has vendors selling rotisserie chicken, Mexican food and fresh fish, Rollefstad said.

Rollefstad said there’s been more interest in the farmers’ market in the last year. However, she will not know for sure how that interest translates into numbers until today’s event.

Between 20 and 30 new business contact the Pacific Coast Farmers Market Association each year for information about how to sell at farmers’ markets, Moy said.

San Carlos is the only city in San Mateo County to hold an evening market. There are markets nearly each day of the week, with multiple ones on Saturdays and Sundays.

Dana Yates can be reached by e-mail: dana@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 106.