About

The Vista Farmers Market is the longest-running farmers market in the county, operating EVERY Saturday since 1981 (even through the pandemic, the only farmers market to do so).  The Vista market is also the most plastic-free farmers market in the United States.

The market features over 50 farmers selling what they grow; local, certified, and organic growers with in-season produce.  Actual, real farmers with an abundance of avocados, persimmons, apples, oranges, strawberries, peaches, and other fruits and vegetables. Meat and chicken too.  Fish from local and Bristol Bay fishermen.  Farmers also sell dates, eggs, nuts, juices, honey, cheeses, sausages, plants, wool, flowers, and more.

In addition, there are more than 40 foodmakers —  prepared food artisans that sell fresh bread and other baked goods such as pies, cupcakes, and cookies, as well as sauces, salsas, dips, and pickles. All are available fresh each week. There are 14 countries’ foods represented in the hot food section serving breakfast and lunch.

A handful of makers and crafters attend each week with their soap, pottery, clothing, hats, jewelry, gifts, and more. Each week features a different group of musicians as well as several services such as knife and tool sharpening.

The market has over 600 free parking spaces.

The Vista Farmers Market is located at the San Diego County Courthouse, 345 South Melrose Drive, Vista, CA 92083,  just south of Highway 78.

The market is open every month, every week, every Saturday – regardless of the weather or holiday or pandemic – from 8:00 am until 12:00 noon.

We’ve been operating since 1981 and are first farmers market in the county and one of the oldest markets in the state.

The Vista Farmers Market consists of FIVE marketplaces.  There is the Food Specialties Marketplace which consists of foodmakers and farmers who produce what they sell . . . whether bread, baked goods, pesto, honey, almonds, or cheese.

There is the Certified Farmers Market which is only farmers who sell what they grow and who benefit from being in a Certified Farmers Market through exemptions for labeling, packaging, or sizing requirements.

Then we have Worlds Fare serving foods from ethnic traditions around the world — European, Arabic, African, South American, and more – – – including a farmer who buys from market farmers to produce his dishes.

The Artisans Marketplace features local entrepreneurs who sell what they make . . . this groups varies over time.  Clothes, pottery, wooden crafts are within the variety available.

Finally, there is the Gardeners Market — which is farmers and craft makers who sell items for your garden . . . plants, pots, soil amendments, and more.

The Vista Farmers Market is an odd collaboration of groups and people.  Farmers, entrepreneurs, makers, city, county, nonprofits, and many others.  One nonprofit involved is Just Balance which is involved in creating greater Community Resilience (with the farmers market as part of that work), here’s the link to more info about that . . . http://just balancing.com