Santa Cruz, CA – The second Foodshed Project event of the 2019 season, EXTRAORDINARY STRAWBERRY, is just around the corner on July 10th. A staple of the market circuit, Joe Schirmer of DIRTY GIRL PRODUCE brings us back to a classic crop central to the regional economy. Take a seat at this educational session and stick around as MOUNTAIN FEED & FARM SUPPLY demos unique ways to make this berry shine. Our youth staff, all graduates of the FOODWHAT?! program, head up various activity stations around the market.

Visit the BIKE SPIN ART station, get your FACE PAINTED, spin the WHEEL OF FOODSHED FACTS, participate in the FOODSHED HUNT and WIN A PRIZE and CHECK OUT A BOOK from KERMIT the bicycle book mobile of the SC Public Libraries. Get into some BUTTON MAKING with the youth crew from the Museum of Art and History, listen to fine LIVE MUSIC and put your bottom down and your feet up on a hay bale while you SIT BACK AND ENJOY the sights.

Presentations run 3-4pm. Festivities 2-5pm. Music 4-5pm.

The Foodshed Project (FSP) is coming into its eighth season at the Downtown Farmers’ Market and we are so excited to bring it back. A free, at-market educational program of the Santa Cruz Community Farmers’ Markets, FSP brings out farmers, food artisans, community-based organizations and local chefs to visit, teach and share their experience with residents and customers. Featuring a summer/fall event series, FSP highlights various food issues, offering mini-classes, hands-on activities and storytelling at the market. Our goal is to illuminate and support the important work being done in our regional foodshed. View some photos of these carnavalesk events HERE.

Successful in 2012 -18 spotlighting acts including the well-loved Route 1 Farm, Pinnacle Farms, Dirty Girl Produce, Penny Ice Creamery, BURN Hot Sauce, and Companion Bakeshop, this year brings another outstanding line up. June through September FSP events are hosted at the Downtown Santa Cruz Farmers’ Market at 2pm the second Wednesday of each month. Presenters are the market farmers and vendors themselves who highlight the history of specific foods and agricultural practices while putting delicious tastings of seasonal avocado toast with fermented, saucy salad, pluot sorbet bon bons and baba ganoush in the hands of customers. FSP also partners with organizations such as Food, What?!, the Museum of Art and History, the Santa Cruz Public Libraries and Bike Santa Cruz County, offering a venue for local leaders, young and old, to educate the community about ecological farming and food justice.

For more information and a full calendar of Foodshed Project events VISIT US.

By Nicole Zahm