Farmers market opens for season at Ramsay Park

El Mercado farmers market is up and running at Ramsay Park every Tuesday from 2-6pm. Market Manager Jesus Madrigal said about a dozen vendors, from prepared food to fresh produce and other goods, were on hand Tuesday alongside information tables from hosts and sponsors.

Ana Ruvalcaba of Ruvalcaba Nursery, who also sells her colorful goods at the Watsonville Farmers Market downtown, said she was happy to set up shop at the new venue that will run through the end of October.

The market is hosted by the Community Health Trust of Pajaro Valley who received two major grants totaling nearly $400,000 to address food insecurity in the Pajaro Valley.

Funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service will help build the capacity of El Mercado by supporting the producer-to-consumer market. Funds from Central California Alliance for Health will support the refinement of VeggieRx, CHT’s produce prescription program and serves as a VeggieRx redemption site. Those eligible can use a credit card at the Manager’s Booth to purchase tokens valid at every El Mercado vendor. 

Liz Medina, program manager, said local residents who are Medi-Cal recipients, have a diet-related illness, and are facing food insecurity are eligible to register for the VeggieRx program where they receive a weekly $20 voucher for fresh produce. Program participants also receive health-conscious recipes and are enrolled in a series of health and nutrition classes provided by CHT’s Diabetes Health Center.

“We have given over $40,000 worth of produce to Veggie Rx recipients,” Medina said.

Also, those that live in Monterey County may be eligible for Disaster CalFresh emergency food benefits as part of continuing disaster recovery efforts stemming from recent floods. Those interested can apply for Disaster CalFresh by calling 1-877-410-8823.