7 months ago
CERES, CA - More Sacramento Valley residents are spending time outdoors enjoying the warm weather. In Ceres, they also have something new to do.
Wednesday marked the grand opening of the Ceres Farmers Market, a weekly event that will be held in Whitmore Park every Wednesday.
Dave Huff made the trek from Mariposa to introduce his Jammin' Jams to Ceres.
Consumers didn't disappoint him either. They snapped up colorful jars full of fruity fare.
Huff, who grows the bulk of his ingredients, explained what goes into his jams. "It's all pure fruit. It's made in small batches, between five and eight jars per batch, and it's all handmade, all hand-selected," Huff said.
Lots of folks tasted his free samples before selecting some jam.
"We mix a lot of habaneras with the jams," Huff said. "We also mix a lot of liqueurs so you can use it for basting meat or putting it on a cracker with cream cheese."
A study prompted the Ceres, Stanislaus County and health agencies to organize the Farmer's Market.
"We have an obesity problem in our community. Stanislaus County has done an assessment and found that many people are going to the unhealthy restaurants for fast food," Lourdes Perez of the Partnership for Health Children said.
Perez pointed out the Farmers Market offers consumers vegetable plants, fresh produce and other food for a lot less than they can buy it at the grocery store.
Consumers will also be able to get information on nutrition and how to prevent diabetes and heart attacks.
Perez said the market will also host a special event on the first Wednesday of every month. During the grand opening, people lined up to get their blood pressure and eyes checked.
Organizers hope children will also learn about the benefits of eating healthier and that it can mean they'll have longer, more fulfilling lives.
news10/KXTV
