Farmers' Market to change its location
By Nancy Needham nancy@theacorn.com

For devotees of fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers or honey, it's important to note the Thousand Oaks Certified Farmers' Market has temporarily moved.

Due to renovations at The Oaks mall, the Farmers' Market opens today on the rooftop parking lot of the former City Hall building at 403 W. Hillcrest Drive.

"We're expecting tight parking, so it would probably be better for people to come a little bit later if they can," said Karen Wetzel Schott, operations manager of the Farmers' Market.

The market opens at 3 p.m. and closes at 6:30 p.m. The best time to come, Schott said, would be from 5 to 6:30 p.m., after employees of the Conejo Recreation and Park District and the National Park Service who work at the site have gone home for the day.

Once daylightsaving time begins in March, the market will be open until 7 p.m.

The market currently has 42 vendors, mostly from Ventura, Los Angeles and Santa Barbara counties. A few drive four hours from the Inland Valley, she said. With them they bring vineripened produce, fresh-cut flowers and even some cooked items made in health departmentcertified kitchens.

"One of our best-kept secrets is fresh-made tamales," Schott said.

The market generally expands to around 65 farmers later in the spring. In the past the expansion has occurred in March, but last month's frost might push it to April this year, she said.

The market is expected to be at the new location for about one year. Phase I of The Oaks mall renovations will include the removal of trees that must be boxed up and stored somewhere. It appears the trees will be saved and construction equipment housed at the site that had been home to the Farmers' Market, Schott said.

The farmers don't seem to mind having to move a short distance down the street, she said. Currently the market has a variety of beets, greens, radishes and lots of good salad foods along with nuts, kettle corn and other fresh products.

"We invite everyone out to see the fabulous view from our new temporary location," Schott said.