About
MarketsDowntown
Felton
Live Oak
Scotts Valley
Westside
MissionFor over 30 years Santa Cruz Community Farmers’ Markets (SCCFM) has been committed to your health and to the health of the local economy. SCCFM currently operates five Certified Farmers’ Markets in Santa Cruz County and represents over 100 family farms, specialty food purveyors and artisans. Our markets showcase the best in regional organic produce, pasture-raised meats, eggs and dairy, sustainably-harvested seafoods and artisan goods. Our focus is to provide you with direct access to the best selection of regional products while supporting responsible and ecological farming practices. 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. History
Santa Cruz Community Farmers’ Markets came together in the Fall of 1990 after the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. In 1995, the Santa Cruz Farmers’ Market reorganized and became a non-profit under the name Santa Cruz Community Farmers’ Market. The market has grown from a small venue that showcased the best in local growers to a nationally recognized market, offering one of the largest farmers market selections of certified organic produce in California. We Are CertifiedA Certified Farmers Market is approved by the County Agricultural Commissioner for certified farmers to directly market the products they grow and raise themselves. All the growers in the SCCFM have been certified by the state to sell in certified markets. This does not mean they are certified organic, a typically assumption. If a grower is ”Certified Organic”, they are required to adhere to Federal requirements one of which is additional certification through a third party agency like California Certifed Organic Farmers (CCOF). Learn more about the different requirements here: California Certified Farmes Market Program |
Staff
Nesh Dhillon, Executive DirectorNesh (Naish) is responsible for overall organizational development and coordinates operations. He has served as director since 2003 and worked as an assistant manager since 2001. Nesh grew up up in Oregon and graduated from the University of Oregon where he studied sports medicine and chemistry. From an early age, he fostered a love for food and the importance of where it is sourced. His passion for the markets comes from the farms that make up this area, the food artisans that are reinventing the way we eat and the never ending support of the SC community for their local food system. When he is not putting out fires at the markets, he likes to escape to Baja with his wife to enjoy the lack of stimulus and rules.
Thairie Richie, Market Assistant and Bike Valet ManagerSince December of 2014 Thairie has been running the Bike Valet Service at the Downtown SC farmers’ market, assistant managing at the Felton, Scotts Valley and Live Oak markets and supporting SCCFM special events and educational programs. A graduate of the FoodWhat youth empowerment program, Thairie was one of four youth interns hired to help organize and run the Foodshed Project and Pop-Up Breakfast series in 2014. After the internship, he was hired as a staff member and is a pillar of SCCFM. Thairie also has his Associates Degree in Communications and is an activist and organizer.
Linnea Wik, Market ManagerLinnea was born in Alaska and grew up in Mendocino County. She’s been doing farmy stuff since the age of 17. Linnea has worked for Route One, Swanton, and Happy Boy and Green Planet, mostly at the markets but also truck driving, farm dinner planning, admin. and greenhouse work. In Alaska she apprenticed for two years at Calypso Farm, worked on farms in Haines and Fairbanks and, for the past five years helped deliver seedlings (by boat and small plane) and planted home gardens in the Northwest Arctic. Valuing community spaces Linnea volunteers at the Fábrica. For fun I love to play music, dance, be with friends, travel, make radio stories, play capoeira, do anything creative, and sail. She has a BA in Latin American and Latino Studies & Literature from UCSC. |
 Nicole Zahm, Communication and Programs ManagerNicole coordinates community outreach, education and event programming for SCCFM and spends time managing markets and providing administrative support. Born and raised in SC, she has strong ties to this region. Nicole’s professional efforts have focused on health in various capacities including HIV prevention, hospice care and eventually food systems. In 2008, like a slap upside the back of the head, she was hit with inspiration while working with gardeners and farmers in Detroit. Seeing food systems as a powerful vehicle for community and ecological health, she has never looked back. Nicole received a BA from UCSC and a dual MA in Social Work and Public Health from the University of Michigan. She loves to dance, get silly with her daughter, make art and jump in cold water.  Rebecca Heuer, Market ManagerRebecca grew up outside of Detroit and moved to SC with her partner in 2005. She spent seven years utilizing her graduate degree in higher education administration working as an academic advisor for UCSC. With two new little ones she and her family moved to work on an organic farm in the Hudson River Valley. Loving the farming community but missing SC desperately, they returned in 2013. Soon after Rebecca joined SCCFM, allowing her to live out her passions for local food and create community in this unique place. In addition to managing markets for SCCFM she is a cook, crafter, news junkie, and art appreciator. When not working markets she can often be found hanging out at the markets with her team of three kids.
Job ListingsFollow this link for a list of farmers’ market businesses seeking new employees. Job postings. |
The Santa Cruz Community Farmers' Market (SCCFM) is
a membership-based 501(c), serving Santa Cruz County
since 1990.
a membership-based 501(c), serving Santa Cruz County
since 1990.