The return of Picnic in the Park marks 50 years of the Davis Farmers Market

Every Wednesday from April 1 through Aug. 26, the Davis Farmers Market will host Picnic in the Park

Picnic in the Park returned to the Davis Farmers Market this April, indicating not only the start of Davis’ afternoon tradition in spring and summer, but also the 50th anniversary of the Davis Farmers Market. Running from April 1 through Aug. 26, the market will expand its hours from 4 to 8 p.m. every Wednesday, rather than the usual 3 to 6 p.m. The event will be hosted at Central Park.

The Wednesday market will include food vendors, fresh produce and local beer, wine and mead. Live music and children’s activities are scheduled each week. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and reusable bags.

The Davis Farmers Market is a certified farmers market through the California Department of Food and Agriculture, meaning farmers go through an inspection process and can only sell what they grow themselves.

Randii MacNear, the executive director of the Davis Farmers Market Alliance, described the market as a central feature of the city.

“The Davis Farmers Market is definitely an icon of Davis,” MacNear said. “We’ve worked hard and proactively to build around this concept. It’s almost as if we’re the center of town and everything pokes out from here like a wagon wheel.”

The Davis Farmers Market Alliance runs seven markets, including some at Sutter Health facilities outside of Davis and a campus market at UC Davis in the fall and spring. The organization also operates a farm-to-school program with the Davis Joint Unified School District.

“We’re very involved with the school district,” MacNear said. “We have markets on campus. We’re very involved with the visitors bureau. We’ve really worked hard to integrate Davis into the Davis Farmers Market, and the Davis Farmers Market into Davis.”

Anneli Sovero, who has lived in Davis since 1988, recalled a time before the "Picnic in the Park" branding even existed.

“I have been coming here as long as they have had Picnic in the Park,” Sovero said. “It wasn’t Picnic in the Park then, it was just a Wednesday market and Saturday market.”

Her family, some visiting from as far as Washington and Fairfield, Calif., gathered together at the event as a small family reunion. One family member noted how much the landscape of Central Park has changed alongside the market's growth, recalling when the area was entirely open space without the canopy of trees that exists today.

“There’s usually local music on Wednesdays, so that's great,” Sovero said. “You can just sit here and listen to the music, kids can play and you can meet your friends. It’s a great place.”

MacNear said the market plays a role in helping new UC Davis students feel connected.

“We’ve had students say they felt homesick until they came here,” MacNear said. “It’s like having an instant family.”

The market also enforces sustainability practices. All food vendors must use compostable or recyclable containers. Waste diversion stations are set up throughout the park, and the city’s waste services collect recycling, food waste and trash after each event.

“We were one of the first businesses in Davis to do waste reduction,” MacNear said. “Now it’s state mandated, but we’ve been doing it voluntarily for years. All of our restaurants are required to serve in compostable or recyclable containers.”

MacNear said the market supports local businesses and serves as a starting point for vendors. Upper Crust Bakery, for example, began at the market and now operates a storefront.

“We have a very constant amount and a variety of sellers,” MacNear said. “That’s one of the things that Davis is most well known for and prides itself on. We strive to have a vibrant marketplace every time you come here.”

Most of the prepared food vendors at Picnic in the Park are local.

“They’re all downtown or local caterers. We really try to have that be an economic development tool for our neighbors,” MacNear said.

In June, the Davis Farmers Market will release a cookbook titled “Market Memories,” featuring seasonal recipes and vendor stories. To experience Picnic in the Park, visit Central Park on any Wednesday afternoon until Aug. 26.

By Michelle Bekhtel—city@theaggie.org