The first year-round farmers market in the mountains is beginning this week on Thursday, March 3, beginning at 3 p.m. and lasting until 7 p.m. in the parking lot of the Masonic Center in Twin Peaks, next to the sheriff’s station at 26012 State Hwy 189.

The Twin Peaks farmers market will feature fresh fruits and vegetables grown as locally as possible. They will be open this month, weather permitting, on Thursdays: March 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31, and continue all year.

According to Manager Alexander Vallejos, “Our mission is to provide the best quality local produce and food on a weekly basis. We love our community and look forward to sharing Thursday evenings with the best local produce the mountain has to offer.” They will have acoustic music to set the atmosphere and this week they will have live bluegrass music by Darwin and Friends.

This first month they will have food items only. As spring arrives, they will accept some craft vendors. They intend for this to be a permanent asset to the community, focusing on fresh and local produce. There is so much locally grown and just harvested items of foods that are in season. It has been proven that eating in-season fruits and vegetables helps to control weight and promotes good health.

The farmers market will have Hook Creek Farms with their micro-greens and loose leaf lettuce. They have growers who will bringing in their “colorful fruits” in-season, such as carrots and other vegetables and fruits from Black Sheep Farms.

Some of the other farmers attending so far are Native Farms, Bon Jour Yogurts, Alex’s Nuts, Golden Heart Farms, plus fresh baked goods.

Vallejos used to run the Lake Arrowhead Farms fresh foods delivery service with other partners, but now is offering the farmers market as a less expensive service so more can benefit from the fresh foods that he dearly believes are beneficial for all. He ran a farmers market and delivery in the Hollywood area many years ago, before discovering the mountains. Fresh-grown food is a passion for him, and he enjoys sharing this passion.

As a year-round market, it will be open except when unfavorable weather is actually happening. When it is below freezing, they will hold the market inside the lodge’s dining room. As the market progresses and the weather gets warmer, they hope to have additional entertainment such as local magicians and jugglers.

Vallejos said in that April and May he will be adding crafters and more vendors but, for the month of March, he is focused on the vegetables and fruits of local providers and getting them set up for the season. As the weather gets warmer and the sun is up longer, more will be added to the festivities.

Right now, he suggests parking in the back of the lodge but predicts by summer that area will also be filled with vendors and he has arranged for additional parking at the church next door.

He has spent the past four months getting the required permits and licenses from the county and hopes the community, as they have asked for this to occur, will support it, as winter fades and spring arrives this month.

Visit their Facebook page at Twin Peaks Farmers Market. For more information or to become a vendor, call (909) 547-4567 or email [email protected]