While shoppers swoop down on supermarkets and turn them in free-for-alls, the Pasadena Certified Farmers’ Market may offer a more relaxed environment as well as fresher goods for harried shoppers.
Lately, the market has seen a dramatic upturn in sales and demand. A number of products that are hard to find at supermarkets might be more available and fresher, such as fresh meats and fish, along with the usual produce.
And, according to Celena Groman, assistant manager at the Farmers’ Market, the market is more than a grocery store, it’s also a pharmacy.
“We are the first line of defense when keeping your immune system healthy,” she told Pasadena Now.
As Groman explained, “Our farmers’ seasonally fresh produce, harvested at the peak of their season, ensures the maximum amount of nutritional value. The produce is subjected to far less contamination.”
As Groman explained, the produce sold at the market comes directly from the farm and not packing houses where it’s then transported to distribution centers, then transported again to back stock, before it gets to the consumer shelf.
“Our customers are not customers, but they’re patients as well,” said Groman. “They use turmeric and ginger juice to help with arthritis when conventional medicine has stopped working. Dried cherries are also great as an anti inflammatory, and there are walnuts for brain health,” she added, “and almonds are amazing for aiding in weight loss, and there are mushrooms that are helping to cure cancer.”
According to Groman, honeycomb has been proven to help not just respiratory infections but to keep respiratory systems healthy. It’s also used during orthodontic care. Who knew?
Groman also explained that both she and her son had honeycomb while wearing braces. Said Groman, “When you have braces and things like that, you can use the wax and it’s the only wax that’s digestible in the body. Both my son and I used it religiously when we had our braces.”
Bee pollen, which is available at the market, is used for seasonal allergies and certain forms of anemia, said Groman.
If you have pernicious anemia,” said Groman, “you can’t quite digest all the B vitamins. You can get it from bee pollen because then it goes through your intestinal tract.
Research also shows that bee pollen can be used on the skin to speed healing, boost blood circulation, kill bacteria, and moisten the skin.
And the list goes on, says Groman. Dates offer protein, iron and calcium for those who are immunocompromised or unable to process meat. The market also features gluten-sensitive baked goods for those with an intolerance to commercially baked bread, along with free-range, unpasteurized eggs.
There are also beets and kale available, which are used for cardiac patients as an additional calcium channel blocker and increased cardio health, said Groman.
While the market is prone to increased demand, like any other supplier, Groman suggests that customers arrive early. Some items, like eggs, may go quickly.
The Pasadena Markets are also exempted by the City from recent business closings, and Groman notes that customers are grateful.
“We had so many people come up to us and thank us for being open during this difficult time,” she said.
In addition, emphasized Groman, “The Farmers’ Market supports small local family farms who can’t necessarily tell their produce, ‘Hey, can you guys wait two more weeks to grow until we can harvest because they shut down the market?’”
Groman notes that, for many small farms, “Their rainy day fund is gone. They’re depending on this spring, summer season to live. That’s what they live off of is this upcoming season. and to have to dip into anymore. We’re not talking about commercial farms with massive amounts of savings. Farms invented the term ‘save for a rainy day.’”
The Pasadena Certified Farmers’ Market is at Victory Park Saturday mornings from 8:00-12:30 p.m., and the smaller at Villa Park Tuesdays from 8:30-12:30 p.m.”
