Downtown Santa Cruz Farmers’ Market now accepting debit/credit cards
Starting today, Wednesday, Jan. 7, customers can use credit and debit cards to purchase items at the downtown Santa Cruz Farmers’ Market, which is open every Wednesday from 1:30-5:30 p.m. (winter hours). It’s located at the corner of Lincoln St. & Cedar St.
Here’s how it will work: customers wishing to use this new program need to go to the information table at the downtown location of the Santa Cruz Community Farmers’ Markets. Staff will swipe credit/debit cards and provide customers with plastic $1 and $5 tokens valid to buy any product at the market. These tokens never expire.
The reason for this change is because more and more customers have been requesting credit/debit card access over the years. Please remember that farmers/vendors do prefer cash if you have it.
If all goes smooth with this trial program, the Santa Cruz Community Farmers’ Markets will expand the credit/debit card service by the end of January to their other markets: Live Oak, Westside, Scotts Valley, and Felton. “We want to make it easy for you to spend as much money as possible with regional farms,” the organization says. Here’s hoping it’s successful!
Other news:
- Food-inspired art — the art table returns to the Downtown Market each Wednesday in January from 2:30-4:30pm. Customers aged two to 102 are invited to “look for the table piled with construction paper, potato stamps, pipe cleaners, googly eyes, twist ties and egg cartons – all for your enjoyment.”
- Gift Certificates — Santa Cruz Community Farmers’ Markets gift certificates are now available. You can buy them at the Westside, Live Oak or Downtown locations, and they can be used for fresh produce, edible treats, artisanal soaps, preserves, chocolate and more.
Haven’t been to the market lately? Here are a few words from the web site to remind you that it’s a win-win for all of us:
“Our family of five farmers’ markets showcases the best in regional organic produce, pasture-raised meats, eggs and dairy, sustainably-harvested seafood and artisan-made goods.
Purchasing your food through the area’s farmers’ markets ensures that you are getting the freshest, healthiest and tastiest foods while supporting local jobs, increasing local spending and promoting the region’s strong farming tradition.
What’s good for you is good for your community.”
Read more about the Santa Cruz Farmers’ Markets at santacruzfarmersmarket.org.