Farmers market offers fresh produce and more

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With market season in full swing, there was plenty of produce for shoppers to pick up Saturday at the 3rd & Curry Street Farmers Market.

Along with fresh-cut flowers, there were pony rides, music, delicious breakfast and lunch offerings from local vendors, honey, lavender and crafts, and of course, lots of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Mary MacDonald's Beautiful Food Farm included plenty of what she is known for - edible flowers such as bean blossoms, garlic chili blossoms, squash blossoms and nasturtiums.

"I'll have lots of herbs through the market season like cilantro, lemon thyme, sage and basil," she said.

MacDonald said she spends several hours each day during the growing season watering, weeding, dead-heading and planting at her Silver City farm.

"Most of what you see here will continue throughout the season, and the spinach, lettuce and chard will be coming in soon," she said. "Then there's a lull before squash and peppers."

MacDonald said her potted herbs, house plants, ground covers and perennials also sell very well, with fresh-cut sunflowers always a favorite for shoppers.

Matt Minton from Yuba City, Calif.'s, Minton Family Farm, also said most of what is available now will continue throughout the growing season.

"Right now we've got peaches, plums, heirloom tomatoes, ambrosia melons and cantaloupes," he said. "Apples will be coming in soon, and melons will start slowing down."

Minton said he participates in the entire regional market circuit.

"This is probably one of my favorite markets. I just like the atmosphere and the way Linda Marrone structures it," Minton said. "She is on top of it. The market manager is just as important as the produce."