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City Farmers Market Returning On May 18
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Riverbank City Council members approved the dawning of a new era of the Downtown Farmers Market in Riverbank last week at the regular council meeting. The first Farmers Market of the season will be held on Tuesday, May 18 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Santa Fe Street between Third and Fourth streets in downtown and will be a weekly event through September, dependent on the participation and success.

The event will be a collaborative effort from the Downtown Bizco group that formed in 2019 which includes businesses in the downtown area. The creation of the group was to support the businesses downtown and stimulate business and growth to the downtown area resulting in success.

Leading the charge for the Farmers Market is Tayler Buich, business owner of Coffee Bruin; and Pete Demattos, owner of Kiwi’s Custom Guns. They noted that they believe a weekly farmers market would revive downtown and drive more visitors to the downtown area.

Buich remarked that through word of mouth and social media about having a Farmers Market downtown, there was a lot of excitement and interest. She explained that she already has approximately 40 vendors that have signed up for the market.

Councilmembers made positive comments about the Farmers Market returning to downtown Riverbank.

During public comment former councilmember Leanne Jones Cruz addressed the council and expressed that she loves the idea of the return of the Farmers Market to the downtown area.

In the plans that were stated City Manager Sean Scully advised the council that the group requested a fee waiver and there would need to be an adjustment to the insurance requirement as the Downtown Bizco does not have a 501c3.

The details are still being worked out but the date has been set for the first Farmers Market in quite some time, with the May 18 start date given the go ahead by council.