Christiana Green saw Indian Wells as a place that was ripe for a farmers market.
“It’s mainly retired folks who don’t travel a long way to go to other farmers markets,” she said. “And they don’t have a grocery store inside the city limits.”
So Green launched the Indian Wells Farmers Market on Highway 111 in January, and it has proven her predictions to be correct.
“We created an outdoor farmers market in front of the grocery store that closed in 2016,” she said. “We’re able to provide access to fresh food. And we have a ton of different options for pre-packaged ravioli, barbecue.”
A father-son team that goes fishing each year in Alaska sells their frozen catch at the market.
“They have scallops, cod, salmon – everything they catch,” Green said. “We have a guy who makes hand-made ravioli, and we have chefs who make salads and breads. We have hot tamales and empanadas.”
Customers have been flocking to the market, which is open every Thursday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. October through May and 5 to 9 p.m. June through September.
“On an average weekday, a farmers market can usually expect about 500 to 700 customers," she said. “We have been clocking in around 1,200.”
The customers are grateful for the market, Green said.
“Hundreds of people come and find me at the market to thank me,” she said. “Some are elated; others have tears of joy. It’s been an overwhelming experience.”
The vendors--there are 42 now--are also thankful for a venue to sell their products.
“They are small businesses that without farmers markets wouldn’t be able to pay their bills or take care of their families,” she said.
The market has also helped attract customers to the stores in the shopping center where the grocery store once operated.
“The remaining businesses were struggling,” Green said. “Now they say the farmers market has brought them more businesses than they have seen in years. The leasing company is now showing space to potential tenants on a more regular basis than they have seen in a long time.”
