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Turlock host to new winter farmers market
Drake's Greens
Drake’s Greens is one of the vendors participating in the new winter farmers market inside the Tower Health and Wellness Center, 1801 Colorado Ave., each Thursday (Journal file photo).

The Turlock Farmers Market isn’t just for summer any longer.

Several vendors are now operating a winter farmers market inside the Tower Health and Wellness Center, 1801 Colorado Ave., each Thursday.

After a hiatus this week, the market will be back in full swing on Dec. 29. Four vendors — Drake’s Greens and Green Vine Canning, both of Turlock, Gustine Gourmet Mushrooms and Alexandre Family Farm of Northern California — will be on hand when the market resumes. A fifth vendor — Way of Life Organics — will join the market on Jan. 5, according to Nick Schuller, marketing manager for the Turlock Certified Farmers Market.

The products offered by the soon-to-be five vendors relate to health and nutrition, which many customers only could obtain during the summer months when the farmers market was in full swing.

“We felt like we couldn’t let down the customers with special dietary needs by not making these products available year-round,” said Schuller. “We’re not really making money yet, but the vendors are there. Last week, the vendors were too busy to take a minute to talk with me, so that’s a good sign. But we could use a lot more interest.”

Drake’s Greens specializes in micro greens — essentially, the seedlings of edible vegetables and herbs that are purported to be packed with vitamins and nutrients — while Green Vine Canning produces pickled vegetables. Alexadre Family Farm produces organic milk and eggs.

“It’s an exciting bunch of vendors,” said Schuller. “All of them provide high quality, specialty health foods. It’s a good place to learn about nutrition.”