Picked Fresh: Manchester Marketplace

Update: Hat tip to @FresnoBiz, who tweeted that changes are coming to the newly-opened marketplace. I just spoke with Paul, one of the market's organizers, and he says that Manchester Mall's new manager is forcing him to kick out all vendors not serving fruits and veggies (see previous description below for an idea of what some of those vendors are selling). Paul says that he's finalizing the details for a new location--one that will not only hold the current crowd, but will allow the market to grow. I'll know more once it's a done deal.

Original: Several weeks back I picked up a flyer at Manchester Mall promoting a new farmers market called Manchester Marketplace. "Great, just what we need: another market selling fresh produce."

No, really, that's what we need. We should be flooded with farmers markets, and should be taking advantage of all that's grown here--before it's shipped out of town and sold back to us in the grocery store, that is.

Today marks the market's fourth week. The experience is more like that of a mini Cherry Avenue Auction than, say, The Vineyard: there's taco trucks, popcorn, and elotes, next to stalls filled with electronics, shoes and household goods, with a few farm stands sprinkled in the mix. Judging by the lack of parking, the whole thing seems to be a welcome addition to the mall.

Manchester Marketplace is located in the southwest parking lot of Manchester Mall (at the corner of Blackstone and Shields) and is open every Friday from noon till dusk. Get there early if you're going for Dusty Buns!