Salinas "Alisal" Farmers Market

It all started in the fall of 2001, when two California State University Monterey Bay (CSUMB) students, Iris Diana Peppard and Sarah Van Der Stad dreamt up the idea of starting a farmers’ market in the city where they lived, Marina. They both loved the farmers’ markets in Monterey and believed the City of Marina deserved its own farmers’ market. They hit the pavement and talked to everyone in Marina from moms to City Council members about Marina having a farmers’ market. Everyone loved the idea and many were interested in lending a hand to get the ball rolling. So, Peppard turned starting the farmers’ market into her CSUMB Capstone Project for her Integrated Studies degree at CSUMB. The two students working alone turned into five committed community members dedicated to the market opening in Marina. This group started the non-profit (they liked to say “for-social-profit”) organization, Everyone’s Harvest in the winter of 2002. The next year, the group was really busy. They created a business plan, gained support from the City of Marina and community members, obtained permission to have the market at the Monterey-Salinas Transit Center, recruited farmers and local artisans to vendor, and advertised the grand opening. Plus, they raised funds to start the market through the Marina Rotary Club, Marina Kiwanis, marina Chamber of Commerce, personal donations, and a Pasta Party fundraiser put on all by local volunteers The hard work paid off and the Marina Certified Farmers’ Market opened in June of 2003. The opening day was a great success. Small-scale family farmers sold fresh produce and local independent businesses featured unique products. The community of Marina celebrated its new weekly event and Everyone’s Harvest got its start