The Pasadena Certified Farmers’ Market at Victory Park opens Saturday, June 13, at 8 a.m. along the 2900 block of North Sierra Madre Boulevard, offering Pasadena residents direct access to as many as 60 vendors selling produce grown by the certified farmers who bring it to market no intermediary, no grocery markup.
The market has operated continuously since 1984. Entry is free. All farmers at the market are certified by the county agricultural commissioner and sell only what they grow themselves, pesticide- and chemical-free, according to the market’s official website. EBT is accepted. The City of Pasadena has run the market since 1995, and surplus revenue funds recreation programs at the city’s community centers.
“Farmers’ markets introduce us to the hardworking farmers who grow food for our families,” said Gretchen Sterling, manager of the Pasadena Certified Farmers’ Markets. “Farmers work long days, deal with changing weather conditions, and travel a long way to be at our markets weekly.”
Vendors offer certified fresh fruits and vegetables, ranch-raised meats, baked goods, prepared foods, fresh-cut flowers, and potted plants. Most vendors accept electronic payment; cash is always accepted. The market runs rain or shine every Saturday, with one exception: the week of the Tournament of Roses Parade.
The Victory Park market’s unbroken record was tested in January 2025, when the Eaton Fire broke out within a mile of the park. The market was back the following Saturday, according to the Pasadena Weekly. Sterling said the response from the community was immediate. “The reaction of people who lived in the area or were concerned about people who lived in the area coming and seeing the tarps and the farmers there, just to give that normal Saturday morning experience, was so gratifying,” she said.
The market is deliberately structured around farmers rather than artisans. “We keep four farmers for every one food artisan,” Sterling said. “We do no crafts. We are your food source… We’re there to keep that connection between you and the farmer that’s growing your food.”
Koko Panossian, director of the City of Pasadena Parks, Recreation and Community Services, said the market’s role extends beyond food access. “The Pasadena Farmers’ Market aligns with our mission to offer affordable resources, encourage healthy choices, and foster connections within the community,” Panossian said.
The market is located at the 2900 block of North Sierra Madre Boulevard, at the intersection of Sierra Madre Boulevard and Paloma Street, in front of Pasadena High School. The monitored entrance is at the northwest corner of the parking lot. The market runs from 8 a.m. to noon. More information is available at pasadenafarmersmarket.org or by calling (626) 449-0179.
“We had customers who came up and volunteered to give us money to pass along to the two farmers who actually lost their homes,” Sterling said of the weeks following the Eaton Fire. “It’s been a very humbling experience for all.”
Pasadena Farmers’ Market at Victory Park (Saturdays) Date: Saturday, June 13, 2026, 8:00 AM–12:00 PM Venue: Victory Park, 2575 Paloma St., Pasadena, CA 91107 Cost: Free entry; purchases vary Link: https://www.pasadenanow.com/weekendr/events/
