Valdivia Farms
Apr 26, 2018
Seasonal fruits are popular at the Carlsbad Farmer’s Market. Valdivia Farms makes sure to sell their ripest seasonal fruit every week.
All the way at the end of the produce section of the market stands a booth marked by its diverse assortment of tomatoes displayed in an assemblage of reds, yellows and oranges. Young farmer Yolanda Gonzalez bagged some of the colorful fruits for a customer while describing her take on the good that comes from buying local produce.
“You know where it’s coming from, most of the time you can ask the farmers right there, how they grow it, what they put on it; it’s a lot healthier to get the fresh produce,” said Gonzalez.
Gonzalez also comes from a family farm, Valdivia Farms, and reminisced on the now familiar faces she sees after her already impressive number of years working the market.
“[Valdivia Farms] is a family farm,” Gonzalez shared, “I’ve been working [this market] since I was 15, and I like seeing the regulars and all the different types of people coming all the time.”
More than just an alternative place to buy groceries, farmer’s markets also create a community of togetherness, enforced by the good it does in promoting health and local pride.
“We all really know each other over here, [the farmers are all] friends now. I’ve known people coming here six years already and we’re kind of connecting,” Gonzalez said, “[The market encourages me] to eat healthier and … [to] get outside and do something.”
Murillo of Behneman Farms agrees with Gonzalez’s point on the healthy environment created by the market.
“I think I am more healthy because of this community,” said Murillo.