New Farmers Market Coming to Orange

The city of Orange has their weekly Thursday farmer’s market (in the morning at The Village and then in the afternoon at the American Legion near Orange Plaza.) But having one farmers market does not mean there isn’t room for another. Orange Home Grown has been working on creating a larger farmers market for the citizens of Orange for the past two years, and recently they announced the site and opening date for the Old Towne Orange Farmers and Artisans Market. The site will be at the old Villa Park Orchard which is located on the Northwest corner of Palm and Lemon just around the corner from Orange Plaza with the opening date of May 7th.

The old Villa Park Orchard packing plant on West Palm Avenue in Orange once again will be a hub of “green” activity as the site of a planned Saturday farmer’s market, thanks to Chapman University and a group of Orange residents dedicated to sustainable living.

Orange Home Grown plans to launch the Saturday market in May at the old packinghouse property that once processed avocados but which currently serves as a weekday campus parking lot. Chapman University, which owns the property, is donating use of the lot and of portable toilets.

“We’re really excited about the Villa Park Orchard spot. Because of the history of agricultural packing on the site, it just makes sense,” said Megan Penn, an Orange native and board president of Orange Home Grown.

In addition to vendors selling local, inseason produce, the Orange Home Grown market will also host educational programs about organic gardening, healthy cooking and sustainable eating and make a couple of booths available each week to other nonprofits showcasing their work and projects.

“We want to create an event where the neighbors can come out and really meet each other and students and faculty, bringing the community together,” she said. For now, the plan is to start small, with up to 30 booths. No music or entertainment will be included.  “The first year out we want to get a feel for what the community thinks. We want feedback and input,” Penn said. For more information about Orange Home Grown.

visit the group’s website, www.orangehomegrown.org