\t\t\t\t\tOverview: North Park Farmers Market<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s shift from various locations has been a challenge, but its new home on North Park Way has been a great move,\u201d Rodriguez remarked. \u201cUnder new management, the market has expanded and provides the best produce, gift items, and food. My favorite part is the customers. They return on a weekly basis, dedicated to supporting local businesses.\u201d<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re looking for something to do on Thursdays from 3 to 7:30 p.m., a stop by the North Park Farmers Market<\/a> might just be the ticket.<\/p>\n The venue bustles late Thursday afternoons into the evening hours, with a myriad of items for sale and more.<\/p>\n North Park Farmers Market manager and vendor coordinator Jason Noble noted that the weekly event has been ongoing for approximately 20 years.<\/p>\n \u201cFor the first five or so years, it was in the CVS parking lot before moving to its current location (North Park Way between Ray St. and Granada Ave.),\u201d Noble said. \u201cAfter a short break during COVID, we expanded the market to a third block in 2022.\u201d<\/p>\n For anyone\u00a0attending North Park Farmers Market for the first time, Noble said there is plenty to do and see.<\/p>\n \u201cYou can find farm fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, fish, eggs, cheeses, groceries, plants, and locally made crafts,\u201d\u00a0Noble said. <\/p>\n \u201cWe have hot food from all over the world, live music, kids\u2019 activities, and monthly chef demos. We accept WIC, SFMNP, and EBT. We just started a Market Match Program where EBT customers can get up to $15 free per market for fresh fruits and vegetables. <\/p>\n \u201cWe also have free tote bags and a rewards program for frequent shoppers.\u201d<\/p>\n Like any community event, bringing the people who live and visit there together is a major goal.<\/p>\n \u201cThe North Park Farmers Market is a great place for our community to come together,\u201d Noble added. \u201cEvery Thursday, people from all walks of life come out to shop, eat, and socialize. It\u2019s harvest season, so we\u2019ll have tons of local fresh produce.\u201d<\/p>\n With the fall season here and the holidays right around the corner, there are plenty of events to partake in.<\/p>\n North Park Farmers Market is partnering with\u00a0San Diego Pride<\/a> and Whips-N-\u00a0Furs Costume Shop<\/a> to put on a costume contest with prizes from local businesses on Oct.\u00a030.<\/p>\n On Nov. 6,\u00a0the venue\u00a0will feature a performance from the Navy Band Southwest<\/a> as part of the Fleet Week celebration<\/a>. \u201cThey\u2019ve played the market a couple of times and are a ton of fun,\u201d\u00a0Noble said.\u00a0<\/p>\n On Dec. 11\u00a0and 18, North Park Farmers Market will be doing its Holiday Markets, with holiday-themed vendors, free toys, and Santa Claus.<\/p>\n Vendors bring much to the table\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Like any farmers\u2019 market, the participating vendors have much to do with how successful it will be.<\/p>\n One vendor is Luv Mylk<\/a>, an all-natural, plant-based milk derived from hemp seeds. They craft small-batch hemp milk in various unique flavors like strawberry, horchata, or pumpkin spice. <\/p>\n Luv Mylk<\/a> was created for both health-conscious and eco-conscious consumers, as well as those preferring dairy-free alternatives. The business has been around since 2022, and they have been focused on creating high-quality, sustainable products that bring joy and nutrition to every pour.<\/p>\n \u201cBeing a part of the North Park Farmers Market allows us to connect directly with our community, receive immediate feedback from customers, and grow awareness of plant-based options in the area.,\u201d Luv Mylk\u2019s owner Vincent Dotson said. <\/p>\n \u201cThe market provides an ideal platform to introduce new flavors, foster repeat customers, and create lasting relationships with customers and other local businesses.\u201d<\/p>\n Luv Mylk has been at North Park Farmers Market for three years, the first market the brand has been involved with.<\/p>\n \u201cEach market experience has been an opportunity to educate consumers, expand our customer base, and share the story and values of Luv Mylk,\u201d Dotson added.<\/p>\n Another vendor who has found the market beneficial to their business is J.R. Organics Family Farm<\/a> from the Escondido area.\u00a0<\/p>\n J.R. Organics sales and farmers market manager Goyo Rodriguez said the business was\u00a0established in the 1980s by Joe Rodriguez Jr., also known as J.R. Jr., or just Farmer Joe<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cBefore becoming certified organic, the farm was a conventional trucking farm which specialized in tomatoes and squash,\u201d Rodriguez said<\/p>\n After years of feeling exhausted from mixing chemicals and pesticides, Farmer Joe decided to turn twenty acres into organic farming, then converted the entire farm, Rodriguez added. <\/p>\n \u201d With over 200 families\/customers in our CSA (Community-Supported Agriculture) program on a weekly basis, the company has become one of the most recognizable names in the industry.\u201d<\/p>\n The farm is family-owned and operated, with four generations of experience, Rodriguez said. <\/p>\n J.R. Organics has been involved with the North Park Farmers Market for many years. \u201cIts shift from various locations has been a challenge, but its new home on North Park Way has been a great move,\u201d Rodriguez said. <\/p>\n \u201cUnder new management, the market has expanded and provides the best produce, gift items, and food. My favorite part is the customers. They return on a weekly basis, dedicated to supporting local businesses.\u201d<\/p>\n The North Park Farmers Market runs every Thursday from 3 to 7:30 p.m. More information can be found here<\/a>.<\/p>\n READ NEXT
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