The first Farmers Market was held in July 1934 and was founded by Rodger Dahlhjelm, a business man, and Fred Beck, an advertising copywriter. Both men approached the owners of a piece of property located at 3rd and Fairfax about offering an opportunity to local farmers to park their trucks of produce on the vacant property in order to sell their crops to the public. The land owner agreed and 18 farmers responded to the opportunity.
The market became so popular that within months of opening permanent stalls were erected on the site and were rented for 50 cents a day. In October 1934 the first Farmers Market Fall Festival was held, an event that continues to be held each fall. Not only can a market patron purchase fresh produce but also meat, fish, baked goods and souvenirs. This is also a popular destination for people in search of ethnic cuisines and specialty foods.
Although the stalls are now housed in a permanent building, the local atmosphere of farmers directly selling their goods to the public still exists. Today the Market is a popular destination for foodies interested in dining and shopping at the 100 restaurants, grocers and tourists shops.
