Lafayette Farmer's Market last Thursday Photo Andy?Scheck
If the statue could speak, the Marquis de Lafayette would have questions. Like, why did it take so long for the city to correctly spell his name, evolving from LaFayette, to La Fayette, to finally Lafayette in 1932, twenty-five years later? The first Farmers' Market in Lafayette finally made the cut on Thursday, September 4, in Plaza Park, fifteen years after it was first envisioned.
"There was resistance from the locals and independent grocers," explains Keith Farley, market manager for the Contra Costa Farmer's Markets Inc. Farley was quick to indicate that major grocery retailer Safeway welcomed the Market, but company confirmation on this issue remains on the shelves. "We all have differing opinions," said a ranked Safeway employee.
Surrounding businesses also resisted, in fear of losing parking stalls to the peas and carrots. Chamber of Commerce CEO Jay Lifson says, "The Market is doing everything asked of them regarding monitoring the traffic, parking, and polling numerous customers and businesses with a mostly favorable reaction."
Farley defends the Market, saying, "Everyone does it for the love, not the money. The person who grew it is selling it. We are the poster child for non-profits." Not that all of this matters to the organic fans and their children, like Anna McCarthy, seriously tasting a huge strawberry with little sister Sarah and mom Catherine. "We love the strawberries, I'm a Safeway convert," said McCarthy. She was followed by another hungry crowd that carried away all of the pies and pastries and ran supplies low among all vendors on opening day.
The second Market on September 10 experienced some heat; 103 degrees, by some reports. That, along with a well-attended affair at Acalanes High School, may have kept the count lower. One vendor was a conspicuous no-show when its delivery truck had problems getting to Lafayette, leaving a gaping, gopher-like hole between the onion farmers and bee keepers. "Growing pains," said Lifson. "We are a sounding board for any Market issue, positive or negative."
With children and dogs playing in Plaza Square to the tunes of a sound-a-like BB King and a big moon rising behind the Marquis, the last Farmers' Market for this year is on September 17th.
"There was resistance from the locals and independent grocers," explains Keith Farley, market manager for the Contra Costa Farmer's Markets Inc. Farley was quick to indicate that major grocery retailer Safeway welcomed the Market, but company confirmation on this issue remains on the shelves. "We all have differing opinions," said a ranked Safeway employee. 
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA