Saturday mornings are lively in downtown Santa Barbara due to the Santa Barbara Certified Farmers Market. Local farm and small-scale food producers are hurriedly organizing their produce and setting up their stands to create the magic of the market.
Throughout the week, the market happens multiple times in many different neighborhoods around Santa Barbara, like the Saturday market.
On Sundays, shoppers can find the market in the Camino Real Marketplace from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Sunday market attracts Goleta locals, tourists, and people hoping to accomplish their weekly grocery shopping on a slow and calm Sunday afternoon.
In Old Town Santa Barbara, the market takes place on Tuesdays in the 600-800 blocks of State Street from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Those looking for a nice way to spend the evening or avoid the crowds of the busier markets find the Tuesday market a great way to fulfill their goals of shopping without being overwhelmed by a swarm of shoppers.
Traveling a bit farther from Santa Barbara High School, the Wednesday market takes place in Solvang and on Thursdays in Carpinteria. Many enjoy the lovely town of Solvang by strolling through the market on the 400 block of 1st Street from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. And in the other direction, Carpinteria locals and lovers enjoy the ocean-side town through spending their Thursday afternoons supporting vendors on the 800 block of Linden Avenue from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
What better way to end a busy work filled week than enjoying small farm stands in Montecito on Friday mornings. From 8 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. the Montecito community walks the 1100 and 1200 blocks of Coast Village Road to get outdoors and prepare for the end of the week.
Finally, the biggest market of the week happens in Downtown Santa Barbara on Saturday mornings. At the cross of Carrillo and State Street from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. the market attracts all sorts of people from college students to visitors, and eager early morning locals. The Saturday market is the perfect place to spend a Saturday out and about in the community. The market moved locations recently since the City of Santa Barbara is building a police station in the old spot.
Many students from the Santa Barbara school district have been regularly attending the markets, and some have even become involved by either helping out a vendor or busking live music. Junior Shea Gannon is a fill-in for a vendor at the market and says she loves the farmers market “because it really brings the community outdoors.” Gannon also says, “It’s good to see so many people focusing on their health, and shopping local and buying organic.”
Sophomore Delilah Ficker has been known to sing and play guitar as a market busker. She says her favorite part of the market “is probably the community who are always supportive and generous” towards youth musicians. Ficker believes the market encourages “person-to-person interactions.”
Support for small farms is important because it boosts the local economy and supplies the community with fresh and nutritious food. It also supports sustainable environmental practices and builds community. By supporting local farms, people reduce their carbon footprint and protect biodiversity.
Some produce found at the markets includes fresh and lush bouquets, crunchy candied almonds and other nut butters, and of course, rainbows of healthy and organic fruits and vegetables. Many other ingredients can be found at the market, like honey, meat, and even farmers market merchandise for those looking to show off their Santa Barbara flair and support.
