The weekly Midtown Farmer’s Market brings the Sacramento community together for the opportunity to pick up fresh produce and prepared foods in a lively and friendly environment.  

Located at 2020 J St., the market was first introduced in 2013 by the Midtown Business Association  and will continues to run this year every Saturday from 8 a.m to 1 p.m regardless of the weather.

Although many farmers markets are held in Sacramento throughout the week, some people say they believe the Midtown Farmer’s Market is unique.

Genevieve Carnes has been a supporter of the Midtown Farmers Market and said she has attended nearly every Saturday.

“I like this farmer’s market because it has a bit of a different vibe,” Carnes said. “ It’s friendlier and has more personality and character.”

Carnes said the prices for produce are much more affordable than those found in typical grocery stores and is a deal breaker when buying cheaper yet higher quality food.

“You get to meet the people who grow your food and it’s also an experience,” Carnes said. “It’s a fun thing to do on a Saturday morning; get some sun and some fresh stuff.”

The farmers market offers both organic and non-organic produce vendors, while fresh cut flowers, kale, zucchini, peaches and nectarines are a only a sample of the items found on site.

If going to the farmers market in search for dessert or a quick lunch, vendors such as Volks Waffles make Belgian waffles hot on the spot topped with fruits and ice cream while Quickfire Pizza offers customers wood-fired pizza with tangy tomato sauce and fresh herbs.

However, the farmers market is not limited to only produce and prepared foods. There are vendors that offer wine, natural bath and body products, hand-made baskets and even dog food.

The Midtown Farmer’s Market is put on with the collaboration of Be Money Smart USA, a non-profit organization based in Carmichael that specializes on youth financial business and career educational programs.

Walking through the farmers market, one will notice a few vendors are run by youth.

“There’s a much deeper meaning behind our farmer’s markets,” said Austin Hall, son of the founder of Be Money Smart USA. “We encourage youth development and there are three or four [vendors] that are entirely manned by kids who have gone through our educational program. So through our program, we get jobs for them at the farmer’s markets.”

Soil Born, a non-profit farm located in Rancho Cordova, is one of the vendors at the Midtown Farmer’s Market. Soil Born also provides youth educational programs focusing toward hands-on experience in the natural world and kitchen.

Brock Rasor, a farmer at Soil Born helps work the vendor and said he loves the ability to help others.

“We offer free education to kids and adults about the importance of recognizing and identifying your own food and taking care of the land and the environment” Rasor said.

For more information on the farmers market and for a list of the vendors, visit http://www.midtownfarmersmarketsac.com.