Food and Community: A Boutique Farmers Market Thrives in Larkspur
From food vendors to marketgoers, the Larkspur Farmers Market at the Marin Country Mart is a weekly delight for a community of growers, food purveyors and local marketgoers.
Who would have predicted that a city-bound ferry terminal — usually known as a hurried and harried commuter hub—would become a thriving local hotspot, food scene, family gathering place, and importantly, the site of one of Marin’s beloved weekly farmers markets?
Diana Rodgers, the Larkspur Farmers Market Manager, knows a good opportunity when she sees it. This was the case when she learned there was an opportunity to manage a new market in Marin County.
Rodgers has managed many farmers markets in California. She has managed farmers markets for over 25 years.
The Larkspur Ferry Terminal was a little old and abandoned ten years ago, when a Los Angeles developer came in to revitalize the area.
Farmers and food purveyors are from multiple places around the Bay Area. A sampling of some of variety of the market’s mainstays include an authentic water buffalo mozzarella from a buffalo farm, mushrooms, homemade jams, waffles and paella.
Sights and sounds of the market draw locals in every week. It’s hard to believe there was community hesitancy for the redevelopment of this space.
“Locals were skeptical when an LA developer wanted to come in to redevelop this space 10 years ago,” Rodgers says.
Now, Bay Area favorites, such as Hog Island Oysters and Rustic Bakery, are mainstays for locals. Shake Shack and Barry’s Boot Camp are new additions.
But the Farmers Market has stayed true to its boutique market roots. Anna’s Seafood is run by Anna herself, and there is always a line for fresh ahi tuna poke and smoked salmon from the smoker.
Rodgers knows most of the vendors by name. Strolling through the market, there’s a young farming couple selling kale and carrots with their newborn, an avocado-fed pork farmer, house plants, summer soups, a waffle truck and a new bagel shop. The bakery sells their bread outside on Saturdays.
The market is easy to navigate because it is small.
“This is a boutique market, curated for folks to come and enjoy on their way to their next adventure in Marin.”
Covid-19 did cause some business loss, as the Marin Country Mart had been looking forward to welcoming commuters to and from Sonoma on the new Smart Train.
What’s next for Diana Rodgers? Her own flower farm near Petaluma, California, will be certified organic in mid-July — something she is proud of and that keeps her part of the certified community of farmers, growers, artists and chefs.
As for special events that keep the locals coming, up next at the Marin Country Mart: Family Movie Nights, a summer favorite. Rodgers is looking forward to welcoming families once again, in a sign of returning normalcy.
The Farmers Market at Larkspur Landing looks as if it’s here to stay.
