Farmers Markets: Spring Picks
Farmers markets are ramping up for spring with early-season produce like asparagus, snap peas and strawberries filling stalls — but regional weather and soil moisture will shape availability. Market managers advise early‑market shopping for variety and late visits for deals on surplus or 'seconds' quality items. (rfdtv.com) (wuky.org)
RFD-TV’s weekly crop update on March 30, 2026 noted that planting preparations and fieldwork expanded across much of the United States as improving weather allowed operations to pick up. (rfdtv.com) CalMatters reported a record‑baking heat wave in March 2026 that accelerated melting of the Sierra Nevada snowpack, which normally supplies about one‑third of California’s water and is crucial for spring reservoir refills. (calmatters.org) California’s Department of Water Resources Data Exchange Center (CDEC) provides real‑time hydrologic, precipitation and reservoir data that agencies and growers use for water‑supply and flood management decisions. (cdec.water.ca.gov) California Water Watch publishes soil‑moisture maps and percent‑of‑average reservoir figures that local irrigation districts and growers consult when timing plantings and allocating on‑farm water. (cww.water.ca.gov) The Niles (Fremont) Farmers Market operates year‑round on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Niles Town Plaza (37482 Niles Blvd) and has been run by the Foragers Market network since 2023, advertising the market as open “rain or shine.” (foragersmarket.org) Foragers Market’s calendar also lists a Prescott Night Market returning in June 2026 and several East Bay events that expand weekend vendor options and seasonal programming for Alameda County residents. (foragersmarket.org) The Farmers Market Coalition and university extension guides document that market managers actively coordinate vendor selection, promotions and scheduling to match seasonal supply with local demand. (farmersmarketcoalition.org) A USDA National Farmers Market Managers Survey published in 2019 remains a widely cited baseline for understanding manager practices, vendor composition and consumer services at U.S. farmers markets. (ams.usda.gov)
