Every Sunday morning, the parking lot behind downtown Menlo Park transforms into a lively community center as people flock to purchase fresh produce and groceries for the week. Since the Menlo Park Farmers Market opened in 1992, it has become a staple weekend activity for local residents. The peaceful rhythm of live music creates a relaxing atmosphere as customers and vendors enjoy the market’s unique offerings each week.
The market offers local farmers an opportunity to sell their products to a loyal clientele. Michael Jason Mora is the 5th generation in his family to inherit Mora Family Farms, an apple farm based in Watsonville that sells apples, jams, eggs, and fresh produce. “We’ve had customers here for the last 20 years that just keep coming and coming,” he said. “From big companies, you’re not going to get the flavor or the freshness that you get at the farmer’s market.”
“It’s a way for people to vote with their dollars to support small businesses,” David Winsberg, the owner of Happy Quail Farms, a pepper farm based in East Palo Alto, said. “It’s not easy sometimes,” added Mora. “But we get by how we’ve always done it.”
Since most grocery store products are imported due to cost-effectiveness and year-round availability, farmers markets are an opportunity to buy sustainable produce from local vendors. Produce at the farmers market is often more flavorful and ripe than at grocery stores, since it doesn’t need to be transported long distances. “It’s the flavors you cannot compete with,” Market Manager Lori Hennings said.
Pietro Parravano and his wife Joan Parravano have been selling products from their fishery, F/V Anne B, at the market for 34 years. He joined the market to establish a more direct connection between the fisherman and the customer. “The best thing about the farmers’ market is that people understand where their food comes from. They understand the nutritional values, and they have a chance to socialize when they buy their groceries,” he said.
The farmers market attracts many families who want their children to see where their food comes from, as well as community members who want to make social connections while shopping. “Whenever I come down here, I feel very safe, and half the time I see several people I know,” customer Molly Clough, who has been coming to the market every year since it opened, said.
The market was founded by a group of women who wanted to establish a gathering point for shoppers and walkers in Menlo Park. Hennings connected the women with the Live Oak Lions, a faction of Lions Club International, the largest service club in the world. “There’s no other Lions Club that sponsors [the farmer’s market] like we do,” said Lions Club Secretary Jim Bigelow. “If it’s raining, pouring, windy, every Sunday we’re here.”
The market continues the Lions Club’s mission of service by encouraging donations of eyeglasses and hearing aids for the Lions Hearing Foundation and Lions Eye Foundation, which are recycled and donated.
As customers dwindle, volunteers head to the market to load the unsold produce that will be delivered to charities like St. Vincent De Paul and St. Anthony’s. Many of these volunteers are students and parents from M-A and local middle schools. Junior Amelia Letsinger is in her fourth year volunteering at the market. “The most rewarding thing is knowing that the food goes to people in need and it’s actually good produce that’s good for their health,” she said.
“There’s such a need for food right now,” said Parravano. “The best way to do it is just to bring it back to the community so they can benefit from us.” The Lions Club has collected and donated around 1,120,000 pounds of food and $1,182,000 in vendor fees since the market first opened, supporting thousands of people in the local community.
“This almost doesn’t feel like a job because it’s so enjoyable,” said Hennings. “This is the longest I’ve ever done anything, because it’s such a good group of people. If I’m feeling down, I come here.”
The Menlo Park Farmers Market is the perfect way to spend a Sunday morning and make connections in the community while getting quality produce right from the people who grow it. “Come to the market,” said Mora. “We could use everyone’s business, and if you want good fruit, come to the market.”
