We are delighted to welcome Santana Rodriguez, owner of Qouign Pastries, to the Aptos Farmers Market. While some of our customers may already know Santana from her time at the Monterey Farmers Market, she is newly joining the Aptos community — and the excitement goes both ways. “I had such a wonderful time at the...Read More
If you’ve ever stood at the Aptos Farmers Market holding an unfamiliar vegetable and wondering what on earth to do with it, chances are Chef Andrew Cohen appeared at your elbow with a smile. “Oh, that? You’re going to love it,” he’d say — and before you knew it, you had not one recipe, but...Read More
In 2026, the Monterey Bay Certified Farmers Markets proudly celebrates 50 years of serving the Central Coast—five decades of bringing farmers and communities together through food, stewardship, and shared purpose. What began in 1976 as a modest local market has grown into a cherished regional institution, deeply woven into the daily lives of farmers, families,...Read More
Tucked into the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains in Watsonville, Belle Farms is a small, family-run operation producing exceptional extra virgin olive oil with deep roots in both tradition and place. What began in 1997 as a modest vineyard planted by Steve and Marguerite Remde has grown into a thriving farmstead with seven acres...Read More
Along the historic El Camino Real, where fog drifts inland from Monterey Bay and settles over the fertile fields of the Salinas Valley, sits Schoch Family Farmstead—a living piece of California dairy history. Founded in 1944 by Swiss brothers Adolph and Ernest Schoch, the farm began as one of hundreds of small dairies that once...Read More
Rocky Oaks Goat Creamery is the realization of a long-held dream for Margie and Joel Weber—a dream rooted in animals, land stewardship, and the belief that great cheese begins with exceptional milk. In 2018, they opened what became the Central Valley’s first farmstead artisanal goat creamery, producing handcrafted cheeses exclusively from the milk of their...Read More
If you’ve wandered through the farmers market lately and noticed a table lined with dressing bottles and small tubs of miso, you may have already met Masumi Diaz, owner of Hakouya. Masumi creates some of the most traditional, nourishing, and delicious fermented foods you’ll ever taste — all made by hand, using techniques passed down...Read More
Vendor Focus is a new feature celebrating the farmers, vendors, and artisans who bring Monterey Bay Certified Farmers Markets to life. In each profile, we spotlight one of the many dedicated vendors from our four markets—sharing their story, their growing or crafting practices, and the products they proudly offer each week. Our markets are known...Read More
With the holiday season (and plenty of cooking!) just around the corner, now is the perfect time to get your kitchen tools in shape. One of the easiest ways to make your holiday cooking smoother—and safer—is to start with sharp knives. Here’s why a quick tune-up makes all the difference: Work Smarter, Not Harder: A...Read More
Spend the day with your guests—not in the kitchen. Chef Jody Lombardo at Bay Living Culinary is offering classic Thanksgiving side dishes and chef kits you can pre-order and pick up at the Aptos Farmers Market or the Monterey Farmers Market. You handle the turkey; they’ll handle the rest! Order Deadline: All orders must be...Read More
