After Wednesday, you'll have to wait another nine months to enjoy those afternoon or evening strolls through the Downtown Hollister Farmers' Market.
This week's market is the last of 2008, a season organizers consider a success and one in which they brought some new strategies to the table. And they've already got some new ideas cooking for next year - such as bringing in a goat-cheese seller next year in response to customer demand.
The 2008 season had its fair share of changes, too. Organizers dropped the required maximum - two, unless someone's selling an organic version - on the number of farmers who could sell the same items, noted Sharlene Van Rooy with the Hollister Downtown Association, which puts on the market.
Organizers also are excited about allowing food stamps for the first time this year, which Van Rooy, the market manager, called somewhat successful in its inaugural run. She said with some additional advertising, however, it could be a positive direction for the market.
The Electronic Benefit Transfer machines at the weekly events - the practice started in late July - allowed recipients to transfer their stamps through a card for use at the outdoor market. Those funds can't be used for food items such as Mansmith's BBQ, but people still could buy such other items as fresh vegetables, Van Rooy noted.
Paul Hamilton, the market's coordinator on the grounds each week and a partner in Aurora Brand Organics, stressed that community involvement in the market is crucial.
"(It) takes community support to motivate the people who show up to sell," said Hamilton, who could be seen selling his own produce each Wednesday on the grassy plot at Fourth and San Benito streets.
He agreed with Van Rooy that it was a fairly successful season, but felt that the enthusiasm faded as the summer went on. That was the same problem last year, when organizers had planned to extend the market into September, telling by early success, and later pulled back on that and closed it as originally expected at the end of August.
Hamilton suggested that families looking for free entertainment look no further than the farmers' market next summer. He emphasized how children love the interaction with farmers and that they can learn the importance of buying and eating locally-grown food. Along with the food, customers can see local artisans honing and selling their craft, and the market provides music as well.
For next year's farmers' market, the HDA had polled visitors this summer and asked them about issues such as parking, how much money they spent and if there were any items they couldn't find.
Van Rooy noted that many people said they'd wanted to buy goat cheese. Visitors looking to buy the cheese will be happy to know that an arrangement with a producer has been reached, and it will be sold at next year's market.
Colin McConville Colin McConville is a reporter with the Hollister Free Lance. You can reach him by email or at (831) 637-5566.
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