A Farmers' Market Tale – The History of St. Helena’s Farmers’ Market It had to happen. Too many people in search of the sweetest vine-ripened heirloom tomato, or the perfectly ripe, unblemished peach, or green produce for their tables, seemed increasingly to be finding their ways to the farms and orchards near St. Helena. In the summer of 1986, Angwin resident Sheila Mannix realized that other like-minded people in the Napa Valley shared her passion for all the treasures of a summer's harvest and her frustration at not being able to obtain high quality, locally produced fresh food. Sheila knew that the time had come to organize the local growers and "bring them to market." Sheila tirelessly attended and led town meetings, found and brought in experienced farmers, ranchers, and market managers, and sought out speakers to educate herself and the community. All she needed was a place. On July 4, 1986, the St. Helena's Farmers' Market opened for business on Main Street, just south of the town's center, across from Merryvale Winery. Over the years and in order to keep up with its offerings, the Market grew in size, and moved to various locations, until it found its current home at Crane Park in 1996 where it operates every Friday morning from May through October. Initially, the biggest challenge was to get the commitment of reluctant farmers to participate in a new market with unproven sustainability. Sheila depended on an army of volunteers, but as the market grew in size and popularity, it was soon evident that a Board of Directors was needed to bring it more structure and cohesion. The first Board members to sign on were Michael Baines, Sylvia Griffiths, Jean Edelhertz and Ann Cutting. Following in their devoted and energetic footsteps has been an illustrious list of successors. A few of the growers have had booths from that first July 4th, twenty three years ago: Stan and Susan DeVoto (Devoto Gardens), the Vigil family (Sebastopol Berry Farm), and fresh flower grower, Cathy Curlee. Bruins Vegetable Farm and Sam and Sun Hee Shin of Solano Mushrooms came aboard the second year, and continue to be with us. Hamada Farms took a booth not long after... and we are happy to still have them as part of our market family. Our Website: www.sthelenafarmersmkt.org was launched to provide an effective method of keeping the community up-to-date about our Market’s weekly specials and events, as well as providing a method for members of our community to have direct contact with, and to learn more about our farmers. Shoppers and farmers also have the ability to sign up for our newsletter. The St. Helena Farmers’ Market continues to be directed by a volunteer board committed to improving the market, and providing service to our community and local Farmers. Supported by a group of enthusiastic volunteers, our Board works very hard to uphold Sheila’s vision, and exercises careful fiscal management. However, the market cannot expand and offer special programs, such as the popular Chefs’ Table and the school and community outreach programs, without additional community financial support. A variety of sponsorship and donor opportunites exist which are highlighted in the “Get Involved” Section of our Market’s website.
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