Santa Barbara Farmers Market

The Santa Barbara Farmers Market traces its roots to March 24, 1979, when the city’s first farmers’ market opened on the Old Santa Barbara Mission Lawn, placing it among the first 20 farmers’ markets in California. The organization behind it, the Santa Barbara Certified Farmers’ Market Association, was established in 1983 as a nonprofit mutual benefit corporation created to give California farmers direct access to the local community. That long arc still shapes the market today: original participants Randy Wade, Tom Shepherd, and Robert “BD” Dautch are named in the market’s history, tying the current operation to the growers who helped build it.

Why it matters locally

The Santa Barbara Certified Farmers’ Market Association was formed to provide California farmers with direct access to market their products to the local community, and that mission remains the clearest reason this market matters in Santa Barbara. Its history is unusually local and specific: the first market began at the Old Santa Barbara Mission Lawn, then relocated to the Santa Barbara County Bowl, later to the Santa Barbara High School parking lot, and eventually into the longstanding downtown Saturday location at the Cota Street Commuter Lot. The organization is also structured around local stewardship, with a board of directors and on-the-ground management that includes General Manager Sam Edelman and Market Manager Victoria Sarquilla. Excess produce is picked up by Unity Shoppe and Veggie Rescue for distribution and gleaning, extending the market’s reach beyond the sales stalls.

Know before you go

No dogs are allowed, a rule that can shape plans before you leave home. The Santa Barbara market operation runs six weekly markets, and the downtown Saturday market is spread across the 00 West and 00 East blocks of Carrillo Street and the 900–1000 blocks of State Street. For shoppers aiming for that downtown Saturday location, the market describes wide streets and ample parking there, which is useful context in an area where access can affect how long you stay. The organization lists Sam Edelman as General Manager and Alfredo Puente as Senior Onsite Manager, alongside a larger staff that includes market assistants, so there is a visible management structure behind the information booth and day-of operations.

Payments & SNAP

All markets accept CalFresh EBT, WIC, FMNP, and credit cards in exchange for tokens, and the information booth can also swipe ATM/debit cards plus Visa, MasterCard, and American Express for market tokens. Those tokens are valid at all six weekly markets, accepted by all Santa Barbara Certified Farmers Market vendors, sold in $1, $5, and $10 increments, and never expire.