This market is dynamic and the best in Northern New Mexico. What a marvelous experience growing with each visit. There are scrumptious cheeses & dairy products, a variety of quality meats; beautiful colored vegetables of yellow squash, deep-green zucchini, dark purple beets, orange pumpkins, lettuces, fresh basil & thyme herbs, superb baked goods, golden translucent honeys, jams, jellies, old-fashioned apple cider, fragrant lavender soap products, beautiful sun-flowers, native house plants, gorgeous dried flower arrangements, bright red chili ristras, homemade salsas, traditional dried foods, original crafts and homespun garments.

All visually stimulating as shopping, browsing the cooking and gardening gift shops (One is reminded to stop by during the planting season for compost, worms, and bedding plants) all to the rhythm of the live music as food is munched from the breakfast/lunch concession. One simply can not take it all in, but that does not keep one from trying.

It is like being in a candy store for the first time, what a cornucopia of abundance! As one can imagine, the hardest part was not buying more than one needs.

It is difficult to imagine the Santa Fe Farmers' Market beginning in 1960, as a loose-knit group of farmers selling produce from the backs of their trucks. Even though it has moved many times over the last 28 years from church parking lots, recreation and market centers and finally to its present location at the in the Santa Fe Railyard, each relocation worked as a catalyst contributing to its growth.

With the increasing demand for fresh produce, the market even began operating year-round in 2002. With more farmers using extended growing techniques, the "off season" has become more successful every year.

The market place now has a 10,000 square feet indoor pavilion which can utilize fifty vendors while 100 vendors with trucks can use the outdoor areas. By 2003, the market was serving approximately 160,000 annual attendees and over 170 registered vendors. It has even teamed up with KSFR, Santa Fe Public Radio to bring a fresh audio treat "Gardens, Food & Santa Fe" broadcast live from the Market every Saturday at 10 a.m.

The average daily vendors during the peak summer season are currently around 90 to 100 and during winter 36 per day. The new pavilion is to provide for future expansion of the SF Market, while serving the community as an affordable-based event center when the market is not in session including extra office space not being used by the SF Market. On Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the New Mexico Artisans Market features New Mexico’s local artists and craftspeople, food artisans, musicians, refreshment and entertainment. The SF Farmers' Market operations vary, so check with them: Santa Fe Farmers' Market Institute, 1607 Paseo de Peralta, Suite A, Santa Fe, NM 87501, or call 505-983-7726.

The Santa Fe Farmers' Market has a well-earned reputation of being the strictest farmers market in Northern New Mexico. The authorized vendors come from only 15 counties of Northern New Mexico. 100% of the vegetables, fruits, and nursery plants are grown within the 15 counties with all products being sold by the growers. The same goes for 80% of the ingredients and materials used to make all processed and craft items. By doing this, the market is fulfilling their mission by providing opportunity for the farmers to sell their produce directly to all levels of consumers.

This increases the local food supply, enhances the economic strength and viability of farmers in Northern New Mexico while contributing to the health and well being of local residents recognizing environmental implications of farming striving to maintain regional land and water base quality.

The market does all this through the Santa Fe Farmers' Market Institute Board of Directors, the market staff, Mercado, Café, office volunteers and the vendor members.

This article serves as an introduction to a series of articles on individual farmers and other vendors. If you would like to be considered a featured farmer/vendor in this series, please contact us: Santa Fe Farmers Market SF Farmers Market articles@JonGarrido.com.