Editorials

Berkeley’s Gourmet Ghetto now has an organic option. 

On Thursday, local farmers and neighbors celebrated the opening of the North Berkeley Farmers’ Market, the city’s third and the first to feature only organic products. The new market will be held Thursdays in the parking lot of the Elephant Pharmacy at Shattuck Avenue and Cedar Street, an area organizers said was well-suited to host a farmers’ market. 

“The community in this area has been very supportive,” said Penny Leff, the manager of the farmers’ markets division of the Ecology Center. “Their enthusiasm has been encouraging.” 

The market, like its predecessors, will emphasize fresh produce from Northern California farms. At Thursday’s opening, many farmers brought seasonal fruit including peaches, strawberries and nectarines, and several tables featured Swiss chard, kale, arugula and other greens. Next week’s market will feature a fresh fish stand as well.  

The farmers’ market is the product of a partnership between the Ecology Center, Elephant Pharmacy and the North Shattuck Neighborhood Association. Elephant Pharmacy plans to donate its parking lot to the event each week, and has created fliers and advertisements in its newsletters to promote the market.  

“The market is a good way to let people know we’re here for the community,” Elephant Pharmacy founder and chairman Stuart Skorman said. “Plus, it brings more business to Elephant Pharmacy and to the businesses in the neighborhood.” 

The new market is smaller than the other two — at Derby Street and Martin Luther King, Jr. Way on Tuesdays and at Center Street and Martin Luther King, Jr. Way on Saturdays.  

Because of space constraints in the North Shattuck area, the new market is limited to between 15 and 20 stands. Skorman said that although the location is small, it provides a unique opportunity for organic farmers to sell their products.  

Elephant Pharmacy recently created an organic foods section within its store, and Skorman said that the farmers’ market creates a more visible organic presence in the area. 

The newest market will operate each Thursday in June as a four-week trial basis. At a public hearing on Thursday, June 12, the Zoning Adjustments Board will determine the impact of the market on the surrounding neighborhood and decide if it can remain in the parking lot on a weekly basis. 

“Hopefully it won’t mess up the parking situation on Thursdays,” Leff said. “If it doesn’t we should be good to go on a permanent basis.” 

The neighbors who turned out for opening day said they were grateful for the area market because of the convenience and the organic offerings. 

“More organic options are always good,” said area resident Tom Nettles. “Plus, this is within walking distance for anyone who lives in North Berkeley. It’s great to have.”