The 2013 Sparks Farmers Market begins on Thursday, June 6. Additional updated information coming soon.
The Sparks Hometowne Farmers Market is now known as the Whole Foods Hometowne Farmer's Market, thanks to the City of Sparks teaming up with Whole Foods Market as the title sponsor of the event. The idea is to return the market to its original focus of being a place for families to come have a fun afternoon and enjoy indulging in fresh fruits and vegetables. The market is also produced by Shirley's Farmers' Markets of Sparks. There are some other changes, so read on.
About the Sparks Whole Foods Hometowne Farmers Market
The 2012 Whole Foods Sparks Hometowne Farmers Market will be the 20th season of this popular event. The market will be in the Victorian Square Plaza, between Victorian Avenue and the Century Theaters. This location eliminates the hassle and expense of closing Victorian Avenue to traffic every week. The market will be on Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. The earlier opening time is intended to put an emphasis on local farmers and food, giving people an opportunity to take home locally produced food for meals at home. Opening day is Thursday, June 7, with the market repeating every Thursday through August 23. There will be no market on August 9 due to Hot August Nights, which will take over Victorian Square in Sparks and downtown Reno from August 7 to 12.
If you want to get real local, look for the "Nevada Grown" sign on produce vendor booths, which will ensure you are buying food from nearby Nevada locations like Fallon, Yerington, and even Reno. Our northern California neighbors are also well represented, particularly with fruits, berries, and vegetables more suited to their milder climate.
Food Trucks at the Farmers Market
A new feature at the Whole Foods Sparks Hometowne Farmers Market is food trucks. Several of our local Reno mobile eateries will set up on Victorian Square in front of the Nugget, including Kenji, Taste of New York, Dish Truck, and St. Lawrence Pizza Company.
Growers at the Whole Foods Sparks Hometowne Farmers Market
Numerous growers from northern Nevada and California bring their produce to the Whole Foods Sparks Hometowne Farmers Market. Here are some of the vendors from which you can buy fresh fruit and vegatables...
- Amber Oaks Raspberries
- D&K Ranch
- Dwelley Farms
- Fruit Factory
- Hidden Valley Honey
- K&J Orchards
- Lattin Farms of Fallon
- Minton Family Farms
- Paine Orchards
- Rodriguez Farms
- V&M Farms
- Workman Farms
You'll also be able to get prepared food and goodies from vendors like BJ's Nevada Barbeque Co., Goodie's Fresh Squeezed Lemonade, Hillbilly Kettle Korn, Koko's Teriyaki, Sierra Swirl, and others.
Entertainment at the Sparks Whole Foods Hometowne Farmer's Market
There will be free entertainment every week on the Whole Foods Market stage from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Acts will include bands, dancers, and soloists. To help keep the kids happy, a special fun area will be available just for them.
Attending the Sparks Whole Foods Hometowne Farmer's Market
Victorian Square Plaza is between Pyramid Way & 14th Street, on the north side of I80 and by the water fountain and Century Theaters. The twin towers of John Ascuaga's Nugget Hotel Casino are nearby. There are adjacent parking lots and parking structures on C Street. Thousands of people attend each Thursday, so if you don't get there fairly early, parking will be a hassle. A way to get there without a car is by taking the RTC RIDE bus to Centennial Plaza station next to Victorian Square.
Admission to the Sparks Whole Foods Hometowne Farmer's Market is free. Look for the yellow recycling bins to dispose of #1 and #2 recyclable plastic bottles. A few items are not allowed - glass containers, alcohol, and pets. For more information, call (775) 353-2291.
Sources: City of Sparks, Reno Gazette-Journal, the Bauserman Group.
