KHTS Radio Santa Clarita Radio – Santa Clarita News
Market opens in new location with new co-sponsor.
The Old Town Newhall Farmer's Market opened its 2008 season in a new location and garnered enthusiastic response from attendees.
While mothers shopped among produce and prepared food vendors, children joined a drum circle or perused colorful items at the Whole Foods booth. Musicians took turns on a performance stage to provide a lively backdrop to the socializing going on.
"The market on Market" has moved from its original location at 6th and Main to one block of Market Street between Main Street and Walnut Avenue. The move will save the city rental fees for the old location as well as fees for the lot at 5th and Railroad used for customer parking. City officials said that the move also makes possible expansion into the next block when the number of vendors grows later in the season. The market will be open from 3 to 7 p.m. every Thursday through October 30.
A partnership with Whole Foods will also help get the word out about the event and offer that store an opportunity to promote some of its in-store charities, such as Kids For A Cause, which had a display of information and goods for sale.
While the number of vendors was small, the goods they offered were popular with visitors. A line quickly formed at the tamale stand, where passers-by got a whiff of some mouth-watering combinations as a large metal steamer opened and closed. Likewise, a stand selling fresh hummus, tabbouleh and pita breads was crowded early.
Jeff Cohen, founder of Granola Gourmet, was there with granola bars that are produced locally, offering taste samples. Cohen formulated the bars with a low glycemic and high fiber content, suitable for diabetics and eagerly shared information about his product with anyone who would stop by. Visitors usually left with a box of bars, after tasting the various flavors that included a delicious chocolate espresso, very berry and spiced orange cranberry.
A large display of greens was another popular stop, where people filled their reusable grocery bags with several varieties of lettuce, onions, mint, asparagus, leeks and tomatoes. A strawberry vendor took up residence at the end of the stall to provide a luscious fruit to compliment Thursday night dinners.
Visitors could get food for the mind as well, with displays set up by the Old Town Newhall Association promoting local businesses, or learn about healthy lifestyles with information from the City and Whole Foods.
