San Juan Bautista relaunches downtown Sunday Farmers’ Market 

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After a several-year hiatus, the San Juan Bautista Farmers Market returned on May 18 with a focus on fresh produce from local growers. 

Sponsored by Discover San Juan Bautista, one of the city’s business organizations, the market will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sundays through Nov. 2.

“It’s a reboot,” said Heliena Walton, owner of Notably Noble. “Mrs. B wanted to bring it back because it was missed. And the Hollister market is not always available for us because of the timeframe of our working at our stores.”

Mrs B, aka Patricia Bains, the owner of Mrs B’s Z-Place, first brought the idea to Discover San Juan Bautista two years ago.. She and her husband, Dante Bains, agreed to level and prepare a formerly empty lot at 310 Third Street to host the market.  

“They worked really hard on getting it ready,” Walton said, “and then Maria Gonzales stepped in to help. She was very instrumental in getting the farmers to participate.”

Gonzalez, owner of the town’s vegan restaurant, Cultiva Artistic Cuisine, also grows produce at her Green Thumb Farm just outside San Juan on Olympia Avenue. She worked with contacts she’d made through her own business and with growers who had participated in the city’s annual Harvest Festival to find participants.

“We brainstormed ideas, got the vendors lined up, and went ahead,” Gonzalez said. “It’s been exciting to bring something new to town. Hopefully, this can be something that people will stop by as a Sunday routine.”

Gonzalez sells her produce at the market along with her pressed juices, which she also offers at Cultiva. 

On May 18, in addition to the other farms at the market, there was a honey vendor, a baker, a florist, a toy and novelty booth, and a tent selling juices and fruit snacks.

“I think the market brings the town a chance to get to know the people who grow their food,” Gonzalez said. “It also helps get the farmers more connected to the community.”

Visitor Rebecca Dominguez thought the market would “bring in all kinds of good stuff for San Juan Bautista.” She was particularly impressed by Happy Place Baking.

“Their food, their cookies, and their desserts and their breads are all amazing,” she said. “They’re also sweet, good people. It can’t get any better than this.”

Walton said that the previous Farmers Market, held in 2022 on Mariposa and Third Streets, failed for several reasons, including the high fees charged by the city for shutting down the street for a day. She said the event slowly became more of a “flea market” due to vendors selling trinkets rather than produce and food. 

“I want to ensure that we stay true to the farmers market concept,” she said. “We want to be sure the farmers are well-represented and there is enough variety. And I think we can fit in a few more vendors.”

Walton said what she likes most about the event is how it came about with a spirit of cooperation.

“Everyone worked together,” she said. “It was a cohesive bond. There were no “big I’s” and “little U’s.” We created a community and presented what we have to offer. Everyone was happy, and they all made money. That was the plus for me.”

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