Riverside Farmers Market offers local fare all year long.
A year-round farmers’ market in Northern Nevada. The concept once sounded like a fantasy. But in 2022, it’s the realized dream achieved through a partnership between the owners of Prema Farm in Reno, Zach Cannady and Kasey Crispin, and the Reno-based nonprofit Local Food Network. Established in 2018 as a way for Prema Farm to sell its winter-grown vegetables, the weekly market now showcases a wide range of products from a network of participating local growers and producers. And patrons will find them there every Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at the McKinley Arts & Culture Center in Reno, regardless of the weather.
“Rain, sun, or snow … our harvests don’t stop, so neither do we,” says Crispin, who serves as director of Riverside Farmers Market.
New farms join the market every year to bring farm-fresh foods to the local community; three newcomers participated in 2021, and four more growers are slated to sell their goods at the market this summer.
While the farmers benefit from direct-to-consumer sales, these fresh, flavorful foods are better for buyers, too, because when produce is fresh, it’s more nutrient-dense.
“Farmers’ markets focused on very local farms and ranches will always offer the freshest food because it doesn’t have to travel far to get to the market,” Crispin explains. “This means the farmers don’t have to pick crops when they’re under-ripe and can get away with harvesting the day before market day.”
While enjoying the flavor and health benefits of locally sourced food, buyers also can feel good knowing they’ve had a hand in reducing the carbon footprint of food delivery in Nevada. With seven participating farms located within a 20-mile radius of the market, there is a big benefit in terms of both cost and environmental impact.
Crispin is the first to admit the farming industry in Northern Nevada needs more time to meet the community’s food needs, but the Riverside market helps fill the gap with other local purveyors offering locally sourced and farm-fresh foods (such as Great Basin Community Food Co-op in Reno).
In addition to produce, you also can pick up artisanal sourdough bread made with freshly milled flours from local Beloved’s Bread; take home dinner supplies from Reno-based Pasta Fresca, where the specialty is an array of fresh pastas, sauces, and Italian desserts; fill your pantry with handcrafted rubs and spice blends from Reno Chili; and stock up on locally raised, smoked meats from Smokin’ Joe’s BBQ.
If you want to get the most out of the farmers’ market experience, Crispin’s best advice is to show up early, especially in the colder months, when foods are scarcer.
“Another tip,” she suggests, “is to be adventurous and ask your farmers and bakers what their favorite item on the table is.”
You just may find Nora Heston Tarte perusing fresh produce at the farmers’ market from time to time. Follow her food and wine exploits on @Wanderlust_n_wine.
Riverside Farmers Market
925 Riverside Drive, Reno
Renofarmersmarket.com • Info@renofarmersmarket.com
Cold season hours: 9 a.m. – noon Saturdays, through May 28
Peak season hours: 4 – 8 p.m. Thursdays, June through the end of September
