Every Wednesday and Friday at Market on the Mall is where you are most likely to find Rosemary Rey. There, below a shady elm tree, is the small booth that allows SNAP/ebt recipients to trade in their money for tokens to use at the market. Sitting behind that booth is Rey - who will greet you with a warm smile as you walk by. She takes about 5 hours out of her day to come here twice a week, braving the humid summer heat Fresno is notorious for. She also volunteers on Tuesdays at the nearby Garden Market at Courthouse Park. Rey has a long history with the Fresno EOC, which is why she decided to volunteer her time at Market on the Mall.

DIAZ FARMS

LEE FARM

Sounds of active children laughing and shouting in delight could be heard from across the way at Market on the Mall on Wednesday, June 30. With a soccer ball propped on one knee, each excited child attempted to bounce the ball from one knee to another. Across from them were more children kicking soccer balls into a net, trying to score a goal, while members of the Fresno Fuego soccer team watched attentively.

This event successfully accomplished what it was set out to, which was to promote healthy and active lifestyles for children, as well as adults, said Maria Zapata, Community Health Leader for Network for a Healthy California. Daily activity (of any kind) for everyone is the key to a healthier outlook on life. “Children need 60 minutes a day of physical activity, while adults need 30 minutes," Zapata said. "It can be walking, running or whatever suits the person, just as long as the person takes the time to do it.”

Festivities of the day included fun activities for children, healthy food samples for all, prizes to lucky contestants; and three members of the Fresno Fuego were on hand to meet fans, sign autographs and participate in the fun soccer games. Using the popularity of the FIFA World Cup that is currently being played daily as a promotional tool, now seemed like the appropriate time to bring residents out to Market on the Mall to meet their own soccer stars right here in the valley.

The event was a joint venture by the Network for a Healthy California, Market on the Mall and the Fresno Downtown Association.

Calling all Fresno Fuego fans! Your favorite Fresno Fuego soccer players will be out in full force to meet and greet fans, sign autographs, as well as promote healthy choices and Market on the Mall to the Latino Community. Univision Radio - KOND will also be on hand to provide music to the festivities, which will include soccer games, food demonstrations, fun activities and prizes for everyone. So come on out, get your kicks and join in on the fun!

1. Freshness – Everything sold at this certified farmers markets is fresher and better tasting due to the fact that the food is grown practically in your own backyard. Freshness right at your fingertips and it didn’t even have to cross the state!  It doesn’t get better than that.   

2. Variety – You never know what you’re going to get at a farmers market. With the wide array of farmers and foods on hand, the possibilities are endless. Different farmers bring different variety of produce and products, so if you are looking for one type of strawberry and don’t see it the first vendor – keep looking! Chances are it might be right in front of you.

For a lot of people hit by the recession, they end up pursuing a completely new career and taking a chance at a new business. That’s exactly what Don Vang, 39, did. After working as a mechanical engineer for 15 years, he was laid off due to a company merger. But that did not stop his determination or drive. Instead, he took advantage of it to start a new business, Jane’s Fresh Icy Boba – named after his wife and co-owner. Boba, a popular Asian drink known for its tapioca pearls, has been reaching popularity in the Fresno market for some time, according to Vang. Their booth has been at the Market for about a year and is located at Market on the Mall every Wednesday and Friday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Vang said they chose to sell at the Fulton Mall because they noticed a lot of food stands, but not enough beverage stands. “We wanted to bring boba to the people and the market lets us do that. It’s very convenient.” They also sell at the River Park farmers market every Tuesday.

The eccentric and lively sounds of Keith Adkins can be heard from across the way on Wednesdays and Fridays at Market on the Mall. The 73-year-old has been selling various nuts, dried fruits and vegetables, and jerky for Pacific Grain & Foods since last April. With his friendly attitude and warm smile, patrons can’t help but stop and take a bite out of the various samples Adkins provides.  In fact, he said that is the key to his successful selling technique. “If you give them a sample, 9 times out of 10, they will buy it. But you have to get them to sample it first before they buy it.” Adkins said he enjoys meeting people and cares about their heatlh, which  is why he sells at the Market.  It is that vibrant attitude that makes Pacific Grain & Foods come alive at the Market.

Two new vendors and two returning vendors have now been added to the Market! Each one offers a different specialty item, including flowers, foods and/or drinks that will be sure to delight your taste buds. The vendors include:

- JANE'S FRESH ICY BOBA: This beverage, also affectionately known as "bubble tea", is a delicious blended beverage and tea drink popular in Asian countries. It comes in a variety of flavors, such as: taro, jackfruit, coconut, coffee, lychee, watermelon, passion fruit and more! Boba refers to small sago balls placed in the drink for added flavor.

- SANCHEZ CORN: Enjoy the tasty treat of warm roasted corn on the cob straight from the grill! Each sweet bite of the juicy kernels will leave you hungry for more...and now you can try one every Wednesday and Friday.

- LEE'S FARM: Specializing in ethnic crops and vegetables, Lee's Farm brings a taste of Asia to the Market. Crops, such as bok choy, eggplant, radish, green long beans and more, are recipe staples to many of the immigrant and Asian families that live here in the Valley.

Why Buy Local?

By: Buy Local Buy Fresh

1) YOU WILL GET EXCEPTIONAL TASTE AND FRESHNESS.
Local food is fresher and tastes better than food shipped long distances from other states or countries. Local farmers can offer produce varieties bred for taste and freshness rather than for shipping and long shelf life.