Tennant Avenue market slowly gaining traction among vendors, customers
Published in the April 15-28, 2015 issue of Morgan Hill Life
By Robert Airoldi
Photo by Mark Fenichel/Fenifoto
Customers stroll through the new Tennant Avenue Farmers Market.
Morgan Hill is becoming known for its high quality wines, great restaurants and ample recreational opportunities.
Tom and his sons John and Jim Di Vittorio are hoping it becomes better known for its fresh fruits and vegetables. The owners of Maple Leaf RV Park recently opened the Tennant Avenue Farmers Market, giving the city two weekly farmers market and a venue for the small farmer to sell his produce with the goal of having enough vendors that will provide a good selection.
“We came up with the idea because we noticed there were a lot of small farmers in the area who were having trouble getting their product to market,” Jim Di Vittorio said. “Our farmers market gives the small farmer an opportunity to sell their produce and at the same time provide fresh produce to South County.”
And vendors and customers have nothing but good things to say about the fledgling market.
Kathy Hunter, who works for the San Martin Milk Company, was selling raw milk and cheeses from Queso Salazar.
“When we first started there were just a few booths, but it’s been getting busier each and every week,” she said. “Every week we sell more and more.”
Now, about 15 dot the corner of Tennant and Murphy avenues in southeast Morgan Hill. There are booths selling tacos, quesadillas, burritos, kettle corn and fruit drinks. Several were selling organic fruits and vegetables, and another selling plants and flowers.
Stevie Hall from Hall’s Organic Farms in Chular brings his fresh produce to Morgan Hill every weekend and has seen the market steadily gain traction.
“It’s getting busier each week,” Hall said. “It’s alright. We’re doing it.”
Chris and Shari Lynn, who live down the street, said it’s great having a local market so close and running all year.
“This is our first time here,” Chris Lynn said. “We’ve seen it driving by and thought we’d check it out.” They did more than that, buying a plant, then something to eat before heading home.
Joe and Bev Locsin, owners of Cal Coast Kettle Corn, said they too have noticed the increase in customers.
“Every week we get a little more foot traffic,” said Bev Locsin, whose company sells several different flavors. “People are catching on.”
Gilroy residents Ruben and Irene Ynzunza were checking out the booths as Irene sipped a fruit drink from Frutas Tropicales Karely that she said was “really good.”
The couple said they liked the variety of booths and the availability of food.
“I like what I see,” Ruben said. “I like the diversity of the produce and the food.”
Jim Di Vittorio agreed.
“Things are going better than expected,” he said.
The market is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday year round.
