SACRAMENTO, Calif. — It's been a long time coming, but the Meadowview Certified Farmers Market makes its debut Sunday, June 9.
"The neighborhood is one of the few true food deserts within the city of Sacramento. Neighbors have been asking for a farmers market for years, decades," said Sam Greenlee, market operator and executive director for Alchemist Community Development Corporation.
The South Sacramento neighborhood is a food desert, having a lack of grocery stores in the area, but the new farmers market is set to change that.
There'll be 16 vendors for the debuting market; a mix of fresh produce, food and community tents along with a kids area and a dining area.
"It'll be really festive space, especially this grand opening day," said Greenlee.
Opening Day
Opening day at the Meadowview market will feature some raffle prizes, live music and face painting, according to Councilmember Mai Vang. Vang was one of the people pushing to bring the market to the South Sacramento neighborhood.
Sixteen vendors are expected for the grand opening, but those numbers can grow as the market becomes more established.
"I'm really excited for the community. This has been a long time coming, but we're really excited. We hope that the community will come out and support us," said Vang.
Ways to Pay
In addition to traditional payment methods, the market will also take EBT and CalFresh payments.
Greenlee said the neighborhood is a high CalFresh enrollment area with high levels of food insecurity. Addressing food insecurity is one of Vang's top priorities on the city council, too.
"We have to be able to attack food insecurity from all from all directions and having a farmers market right in the heart of South Sacramento, where it's a food desert, where the neighborhoods there, the families there are food insecure, is one part of solving the issue of right in our Sacramento region," said Vang.
People using EBT at the market can also get up to $10 in Market Match nutrition incentives for fresh produce each week. The new SUN bucks EBT program can also be used and matched at the market.
Getting to the farmers market
The market is located at the Meadowview Light Rail station along Meadowview Road. It runs from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. year-round on Sundays.
If you need help getting there, Vang said the SacRT will be offering free rides to and from the farmers market. The SacRT parking lot should also have ample free parking Sunday. You can also reached the market through Bus Route 56 or on the Blue Line light rail.
"Come out. You're supporting your neighbor, you're supporting loved ones in the neighborhood, and we're just really excited to get this market started. We would love to see you there," said Vang.
While everyone is prepping for the grand opening, Greenlee also hopes people visit the market in the weeks to come as well.
"The goal here is really at the end of all this to have a self sustaining market, a market has enough vendors that it is providing what the community needs and has regular customers coming, so the vendors are getting the purchases and the support they need to make it worthwhile to keep coming back," said Greenlee. "Ultimately, this should be a place that the community can count on every Sunday year-round, they can come get their groceries and come get breakfast or lunch."
Meadowview Neighborhood Association President Jesse Reese echoed the sentiment of people going out to support the new market.
"It has long been a desire of our community to have a market within our own boundaries. We encourage all community members and the public to come out and support the certified farmers every Sunday morning, as sustaining this market is of utmost importance for the Meadowview community," Reese said, in part.
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