MARINA, CA. (May 7, 2023) — Two more Everyone’s Harvest Certified Farmers’ Markets will open in May and two more in early June, joining the Marina and Pacific Grove markets, just in time for the appearance of fresh seasonal summer produce.

The Marina Farmers' Market, 215 Reservation Road, on the corner of Vista Del Camino and Reservation Road in the Marina Village Shopping Center is currently open rain or shine every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., while the Pacific Grove Certified Farmers’ Market is open rain or shine every Monday from 3 to 7 p.m., and is located at the corner of Central and Grand avenues.

Summer openings of the other four Everyone’s Harvest markets are: on May 12, Salinas Valley Health Farmers' Market, will open Fridays from 12:30-5:30 p.m.;  May 17, Natividad Farmers' Market, open Wednesdays from 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; June 6, Alisal Farmers' Market, open Tuesdays from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; and on June 15, the new Seaside Farmers’ Market, open Thursdays 3-7 p.m. at Laguna Grande Regional Park,

1259 Canyon Del Rey Blvd. in Seaside.

This summer, local farmers’ markets will be loaded with fresh, nutrient-rich and organic produce, including leafy greens like kale, shallots, bell peppers, squash, tomatoes, garlic and herbs, such as basil.

Eating seasonally has been shown to help increase nutrient intake, contribute to a more sustainable environment and support local farmers. With that said, growing and buying summer vegetables from your local Everyone’s Harvest Certified Farmers’ Market is a great way to improve your health and contribute to your community.

Here are some tips for shopping for summer produce, according to feelgoodfoodie.net:

1. Take a sniff, if health rules permit. A lovely smell is one indicator that a nectarine or cantaloupe is ripe, for example, but it might also indicate that a pineapple needs to be cut immediately upon buying.

2. Visually inspect or if possible, pick up and feel for signs for freshness. You want to avoid anything that has bruises, soft spots, or wrinkled skin. Also realize, if say, avocados, peaches, or cantaloupe are rock hard, they will need a few days to ripen.

3. Check out the websites and/or weekly social media postings of your local farmers' markets. These can give you a great idea of what’s in season and on sale.

4. Be flexible in your meal planning and recipe development. If a recipe normally calls for plums but you can’t find any, can you substitute peaches? Swap broccoli for asparagus?

For more information on Everyone’s Harvest, go to www.everyonesharvest.org or call (831) 384-6961.

About Everyone’s Harvest

Everyone’s Harvest was founded in 2002 by Iris Peppard building on her capstone project as a student at California State University Monterey Bay. Since then, the small nonprofit has grown into a robust, values-driven 501(c)3 organization. It operates five, soon to be six, certified farmers’ markets and is a catalyst for health-related programs across Monterey County.

The mission is to provide access to healthy, affordable fruits and vegetables through certified farmers’ markets and community food programs. The vision is for every community to have a fair and sustainable food system.

More than 2,500 families are served weekly by Everyone’s Harvest markets in Salinas, Marina, Pacific Grove, and Seaside — with more than 25 small and mid-scale farmers serving them. Everyone’s Harvest takes pride in the growing community of people who value sustainably grown food and rely on Everyone’s Harvest for access to local fresh fruits and vegetables.

The farmers’ market locations serve diverse communities and low-income people. Local hospitals host Everyone’s Harvest Certified Farmers’ Markets at Natividad Medical Center and Salinas Valley Health (formerly Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System). Everyone’s Harvest pioneered access to several public nutrition benefits at its farmers’ markets, namely Market Match and Fresh Rx, for everyone to access fresh, local, and organic and sustainably grown foods.

Everyone’s Harvest also offers free space to other nonprofits, community groups, and government entities at its markets for public outreach.