Sherman Oaks Community Farmers Market Rolls Into Town Saturday

Big doings this Saturday as the Sherman Oaks Farmers Market opens for business, pleasure, and crowd pleasing entertainment.

The farmers bringing in fresh produce hail from places like Fresno, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, and San Bernadino Counties. The market was originally supposed to open in early March, but the growers said the crops were't ready for" showtime." They're ready now,"  says the market's manager Carole Gallegos.

 Starting at 8:00 A.M., farmers will be selling produce that is fresh from the farm."That's why farmers markets were created," added Gallegos,"so that people can buy produce directly from the farmer, without a middleman."

Does that mean lower prices than neighborhood supermarkets?

 Not Necessarily. The prices charged are generally comparable or lower than neighborhood markets according to the farmers market staff. That's because many of the farmers incur costs of transporting the produce to Sherman Oaks.

"It's the freshness that makes the farmers market a great opportunity for consumers," says Lisa Clayden, of the Sherman Oaks Chamber of Commerce which is sponsoring the event.

This is a California Certified Farmers Market which means that before a farmer can sell at a "Certified Farmers Market," the government checks to make sure that the farmer grows the produce being sold," according to the California Federation of Certified Farmers Markets.

"There will also be hot food with taste and aroma," says " Carole Gallegos. Talking here about barbeque, tri-tip, burritos, tacos, pizza, salad, spaghetti and hot links..

What no hot dogs?

Franks didn't make the cut.

What about entertainment?

Music will be provided by a group called "Big Daddy and Fiddlers 3."You will really enjoy this entertainment," says Lisa Clayden. "It's a man with three kids who play violins. Great stuff."

Kids activities will include face painting and a huge slide.

There is free parking at the corner of Sepulveds Boulevard and Camarillo Street, where you can walk half a block to the site at 15300 La Maida Street.

Starts at 8 A.M. and goes to 1:00 P.M.

It's good chance to actually meet people who grow tomatoes, green beans, avacados, potatoes, broccoli, celery, stone fruits and other produce. "Not all of the products to be sold are organic, but many of them are organic," says the market staff which is working long days this week to make this roll out a success.

Oh forgot to mention, Sherman Oaks Patch Staffers will be on hand with some free stuff for you.