ANTIOCH — A new farmers market will debut on June 22 in downtown Antioch to provide residents with better access to fresh and healthier food.
Dubbed the Antioch Farmers’ Market, it will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m every Sunday through October in the Rivertown district at the parking lot near I Street and 3rd Street. There will be a ribbon-cutting event on opening day at 10 a.m.
Joy Motts, board president of Celebrate Antioch Foundation, highlighted the market’s importance to the community.
“I think over the last few years, we’ve kind of become a little bit of a food desert, with a lot of major grocery stores leaving. I just think having the opportunity for healthy produce, meats, fish, and flowers is something we’ve dreamed about, I think, for a long, long time,” said Motts during an Antioch City Council meeting on Tuesday. “You know, many of us travel over to Brentwood or Walnut Creek for a farmers’ market to get fresh produce. So, now’s our chance here.”
According to the California Farmers’ Markets Association, there will be over 25 local farmers and vendors.
The market is a collaborative effort between the city, Celebrate Antioch Foundation, and the California Farmers’ Markets Association.
Motts said they are hoping to eventually have the farmers market operate all year if it proves to be a success. There are also plans to possibly have a “Second Saturday” makers market in July.