Huzzah! Prepare for Fresh Veggies! This Year’s Humboldt County Farmers Markets Days and Hours

Press release from the North Coast Growers’ Association:

 The North Coast Growers’ Association (NCGA) is excited to announce the 2025 Farmers’ Market season, bringing fresh, locally grown food directly to communities across the region. This year’s schedule includes an earlier start for both the Fortuna Farmers’ Market and the McKinleyville Farmers’ Market as well as another extended season for the Henderson Center Market. These longer market seasons reflect the strong community enthusiasm for expanded access to local food.

Farmers’ Markets offer a vibrant space to connect with local growers, enjoy the freshest seasonal produce, and invest in a more sustainable and resilient local food system. Customers can use CalFresh EBT at all NCGA markets, and Market Match doubles EBT dollars to help more families access healthy, locally grown food.

2025 NCGA Farmers’ Market Schedule:

• Arcata Plaza: Saturdays, 9 AM–2 PM (Apr 5–Nov 22) & 10 AM–2 PM (Nov 29–Mar 29)

• Miranda: Mondays, 2–6 PM (May 5–Oct 27)

• Old Town: Tuesdays, 10 AM–1 PM (July 1–Oct 28)

• Shelter Cove: Tuesdays, 11 AM–3 PM (May 6–Oct 28)

• Fortuna: Tuesdays, 3–6 PM (May 6–Oct 28) – Now starting in May!

• Henderson Center: Thursdays, 10 AM–1 PM (June 5–Nov 13) – Extended season!

• McKinleyville: Thursdays, 3–6 PM (July 3–Oct 30) – Starting earlier!

• Garberville: Fridays, 11 AM–3 PM (May 2–Nov 21)

• Friday Night Market: Fridays, 5:30–8:30 PM (June 6–Aug 29)

“Farmers’ Markets are more than just a place to shop—they are a community hub where people can come together, support small farms, and strengthen our local economy,” said Isabelle LeMieux, Communications Coordinator at NCGA. “We are excited to welcome shoppers back this season and encourage everyone to take advantage of these markets to find the freshest produce while directly supporting local farmers.”

This year NCGA is offering multiple sponsorship opportunities for businesses and individuals to get involved. The band sponsorship program offers a unique way to support local farmers and local musicians by funding live bands to play at the markets. Music transforms the market experience, creating a fun, welcoming space for all. Sponsors will be recognized in event promotions and at the markets. Other sponsorship opportunities are available as well. Becoming a sponsor with NCGA is a great way to advertise your local business while actively demonstrating your values by keeping Humboldt County’s farmers’ markets strong.

After careful consideration, NCGA will no longer be hosting the Willow Creek Farmers’ Market. This decision was made due to low community and vendor attendance. While this decision was not easy, NCGA remains committed to increasing access to local food and supporting farmers across Humboldt County. If any community members in Willow Creek would like to reignite a farmers’ market or makers market in the area, NCGA is happy to offer insights.

NCGA is the operator of most Certified Farmers’ Markets in Humboldt County. Several independent markets and farm stands continue to operate in various communities. For a list of community markets, farm stands and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farms as well as a directory of our farmers’ market vendors please visit www.northcoastgrowersassociation.org/member-directory.

CalFresh customers can use their EBT card to spend CalFresh benefits at all NCGA farmers’ markets. The Market Match program is available to receive an extra $15 for fruits and vegetables to help make fresh food more affordable. This match is available once per market, at every NCGA market. To learn more about food access at the farmers’ market, visit northcoastgrowersassociation.org/foodaccess.

Membership in the North Coast Growers’ Association is open to residents of Humboldt County who grow or raise what they sell within Humboldt County.  Working collaboratively, NCGA staff and members represent agricultural interests in Humboldt County through community partnerships that promote local and healthy foods, programs that increase access to local food, participation in local and statewide policy-making, and coordination of ten Certified Farmers’ Markets.

Community support through participation, cooperation, donations, and sponsorships help the NCGA fulfill our mission and grow closer to our vision of a sustainable local food system for our community and our farmers. Support the efforts of NCGA by making a one time, or recurring, donation.

NCGA is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization whose mission is to support Humboldt County’s farmers and artisan producers in building a robust and resilient local food system.  The overarching goal is to ensure that local market opportunities match the needs of our members and community, our local food system is financially sustainable, money invested within direct and wholesale opportunities is balanced with the impacts to our members, and NCGA income supports the diversification of markets and product offerings of our members.