Gretchen Sterling has run the Pasadena Certified Farmers' Market at Victory Park since she helped launch it with 17 growers at Villa Parke Center in 1980. Now in its 42nd year of continuous Saturday operation at the Victory Park site, the market she built is one of the longest-running certified farmers' markets in the Los Angeles region, according to Sterling. August is its busiest month.

At peak summer harvest, as many as 60 certified California growers line the 2900 block of North Sierra Madre Boulevard in front of Pasadena High School, according to Pasadena Now. Every vendor is certified by the county agricultural commissioner and sells only what they raised. Growers travel from Fresno, San Diego, the Coachella Valley and San Luis Obispo to fill tables with peaches, nectarines, plums, figs, watermelons, cantaloupe, tomatoes, corn, eggplant, peppers and cucumbers.

"We keep four farmers for every one food artisan," Sterling told Pasadena Now. "We do no crafts. We are your food source… We're there to keep that connection between you and the farmer that's growing your food."

Craft vendors are not permitted. Beyond produce, the market carries ranch-raised meats, jams, fish, fresh-cut flowers, baked goods and prepared foods.

The market moved from Villa Parke to its current Victory Park location in March 1984. The City of Pasadena Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department took over sole management in 1995, and surplus revenue now funds youth recreation programs at the city's four community centers.

Food access

The market accepts EBT and participates in the Hunger Action LA Market Match program, which gives CalFresh recipients up to $20 in matching coupons per visit. Those coupons can only be spent on fruits, vegetables and some nuts from certified growers. Shoppers can check in at the information booth for details. Most vendors also accept electronic payment, and cash is always accepted.

Koko Panossian, director of Pasadena Parks, Recreation and Community Services, said in a city statement that the market aligns with the department's mission to offer affordable resources and encourage healthy choices.

If you go

The market runs every Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., rain or shine, year-round, except during the week of the Rose Parade. The next market date is Saturday, Aug. 8. Admission is free. Parking is in the Victory Park lot; enter at the northwest corner. From the 210 Freeway, take the San Gabriel off-ramp, turn north on Sierra Madre Boulevard toward the mountains and proceed half a mile. Phone: (626) 449-0179. Website: pasadenafarmersmarket.org.

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