Community Support Outweighs Criticism of Solano Farmers Market in Tuesday Meeting

Despite last week's  of a new farmers market for Albany, the dominant feeling in Tuesday night's meeting about its details was one of enthusiasm.

About 20 attendees, largely supportive of the project, came to an informational meeting at the  to hear of the Ecology Center and Jeff Bond, Albany city planner, discuss plans and answer questions. 

Bond explained that the purpose of Tuesday's meeting was to get community reactions, and assured the group that all the specifics of the market would begin on a trial basis. 

"After a month or two, we will fix what's not working," he said, adding that "community feedback will be important."

Bond also said the city would "do good signage" to help with traffic flow and that, after the first few weeks, "hopefully people will integrate and adjust."

Bond outlined the rest of the process: the next step will be approval from the , hoped for early next year, and then from the .

Feldman, who lives in Albany, began by distributing a two-page handout covering the history of the Ecology Center and the three markets it operates; on the back page were the map and details of the planned Albany market. 

Stressing that his main purpose was to answer questions, he described the basics of the market, which is being proposed for Wednesdays from 3 to 7 p.m., May to October, on Solano Avenue between Adams Street and San Pablo Avenue.

He said the site was chosen due its centrality, walkability, visibility, access to public transit and connection to Albany's business district. The Solano site would have room for 35 to 40 stalls, and would not block any intersections.

Questions from the audience were wide-ranging, and most were unrelated to the location. 

Some residents wanted to know how "local" and organic the produce would be, and how organic certification is verified. Feldman said 85 percent of the vendors would come from within 60 miles, and he briefly described the process by which organic produce is certified via agencies authorized by the FDA.

Others had questions about ; lighting for vendor stalls; whether local restaurants could be invited to sell meals; and whether  might be involved. 

Feldman welcomed these ideas, though he added that lighting may not be needed since the market would end before Daylight Saving Time.

Some questions were discussed in more detail, such as the issue of residents selling homegrown food (which would require them to be state-certified "farmers") versus exchanging it for free (which would probably be fine).

Albany acupuncturist   inquired about the possibility of having an acupuncture booth at the market, while food-sellers wondered how much priority Albany-based vendors would get when applying for a space. 

Feldman explained that the application process would be open to all comers and, while 75 percent of the spots would go to farmers, he said he wants Albany businesses represented, "especially ones that are committed to sustainable, local food."

A few questions had to do with transportation, such as s concern about whether parking for the disabled would be available. Feldman described how efforts are being made to negotiate off-street parking in nearby private lots, and confirmed that placards would designate two to three spots for disabled parking.

While  about the proposed location focused on inconvenience for drivers, Albany resident Paul Rooney, a vendor at Walnut Creek's farmers market, expressed dissatisfaction with the site from the perspective of the shopper. He said he thought it would be unpleasant to be around so much traffic and exhaust fumes, which would interfere with the event's ambiance.

On the topic of ambiance, , another Albany resident, waxed poetic about the market in her hometown, San Luis Obispo, attributing its success to being a festive evening market that has booths where local restaurants sell food while residents shop, dine, socialize and enjoy live music.

Perhaps the friendliest question Feldman took all evening was from a father who asked, "How can Albany residents help the process?"

"Well, there already seems to be a tremendous amount of support," came the immediate answer from Feldman.

"Just give everyone notice," called a voice from the audience, "and this will be well-received. A farmers market we can walk to!"

The sentiment seemed to sum up the overall feeling of the meeting. 

Do you have ideas regarding the market? Tell us in the comments below.

Everybody makes mistakes ... ! If there's something in this article you think should be corrected, or if something else is amiss, give editor Emilie Raguso a ring at 510-459-8325 or shoot her an e-mail at emilier@patch.com.