October 10, 2019 | Community Spotlight: Carlsbad Farmers Market Celebrates 25th Anniversary |
Photo credit: Carlsbad Village Association
What started 25 years ago as a way to help maintain local agriculture and promote its long-term benefits for the community, while also enhancing business downtown, has truly become the heartbeat of downtown Carlsbad. From its beginnings in a parking lot one block off the Main Street to its current location in the center of downtown, the State Street Farmers Market has become a vital part of the Village tapestry.
The State Street Farmers Market, also known as the Carlsbad Farmers Market, has been in operation since October 12, 1994. Started by the Carlsbad Village Association (CVA) after several unrealized attempts, it is now located downtown, every Wednesday, among the retail boutiques, specialty shops, art galleries, and restaurants that make the Village thrive. Visitors can enjoy lunch at a curb café on State Street and watch the market come alive before shopping for produce, artisan foods, and one-of-a-kind handmade delicacies. Or, after a long day at work, visitors can drop by for a bite to eat at one of the unique artisan food vendors at the market before grabbing some delicious locally grown produce.
What makes the State Street Farmers Market a bit unique from others is its location. Five years ago, CVA decided to move the market from its parking lot location off the main drag to a more central location that would help activate foot traffic in the downtown and benefit the local businesses in a greater way. Bringing hundreds of local people downtown to the market to walk amidst the brick-and-mortar stores on its Main Street week after week seemed like a perfect way to market its wide selection of businesses. In the summer months, the foot traffic skyrockets due to the tourist population.
However, shutting down a main downtown street is no small feat. It has taken some time and effort, and a strong collaboration between the Carlsbad Village Association, its staff, and the City of Carlsbad, but it’s becoming second nature now. Our downtown has transformed – from brick-and-mortar with angled parking in front of the stores to an outdoor walking festival of sorts with nearly 60 booths – a sight to behold.
The State Street Farmers Market offers over 20 farmers’ booths specializing in citrus, tomatoes, avocados, mushrooms, microgreens, and more. Gorgeous flowers, succulents, and bedding plants can also be found. Even nuts and local raw honey can be purchased at the market.
In addition to its 20 farmers’ booths, the market also offers 35 booths covering everything from cheesecake in a cup, to organic kombucha, to artisan loaf breads, to crunchy, vegan croutons. Handcrafted items such as soaps, body butters, knit caps, and jewelry make perfect gifts and round out all the wonderful food vendors.
With an increasing emphasis on what goes into our bodies these days, we are pleased to say that our market offers a wide variety of gluten-free and vegan options, in addition to its certified organic produce.
The Carlsbad Village Association is also proud to be support Carlsbad-based businesses in its market. While all vendors are local, several of them, including Prager Brothers Artisan Breads, Happy Pantry, Superfood & Company, the Carlsbad Cookie Company, Carlsbad Strawberries, and Valdivia Farms are all family-run businesses located right here in Carlsbad. This farmers market is benefiting the local economy in more ways than one.
Submitted by The Carlsbad Village Association