A Cottage Food Makers Solstice Gathering at Flowerland: Dec 21 & 22
Left and center: Ecstatic moments from last year’s Flowerland event as performer Mitch Polzak motivates hungry guests. Right: There’s no harm in preordering, especially for Ovin Lovin baker Rachael Strickler’s pies.
Edible East Bay began reporting on California’s Homemade Food Act in 2013, the year after the bill first made it possible for home-based food artisans to unleash their creativity in the marketplace. A decade later, home-based makers are populating pop-up markets all over the state, and some of these venues, like the annual holiday market at Flowerland in Albany, have become traditions and times to discover new delights.
Left: Don’t miss a chance to taste Like Family’s delicious co-pressed olive oils. The company has lots of recipes for using these flavor gems on their website. Center and right: For utter delight at the Solstice Market, check out Nekosama’s beloved Tuxedo Cat Butt Sandwich Cookies and their signature, Asian favor–inspired, not-too-sweet Ube Marble Knots & Sesame Marble Knots. (Photos courtesy of the makers)
“We have at least 10 vendors from 11am to 8pm on Saturday and several new ones coming 11am to 4pm Sunday,” says Flowerland’s Karen Veitch. “Each day will be its own vibe,” she adds. “Many vendors have popped up with us throughout the year and are fantastic people offering their specialties in many different areas—award-winning barbecue, juicy mountainous burgers, savory Japanese pancakes, fresh donuts, pies, cookies, cakes…. Our Flowerland staff will host a booth as well, offering unique jewelry, tinctures, fire cider, and more.”
The live band playing from 4 to 7pm on Saturday is Mitch Polzak and the Royal Deuces. “This is a SHOW,” Veitch exclaims. She adds that the vendors will continue offering hot food and sweet treats as well as wine and beer during the show.
“This event is very special to us as it’s the only time of the year we can host something this large! It is important to us to support our community as well as local small businesses and that’s where we focus,” says Veitch. And she adds that this free, family-friendly market will happen rain or shine.
Visit the Flowerland event site for details, and while you’re there, consider pre-ordering so you don’t miss out on the most popular items at this market.
Read Beautiful Bites, our Summer 2024 story on edible flowers at Flowerland.
Jewelry artisan Morgan Smith and herbalist Olivia Rose share a mirthful moment at the Flowerland Staff Maker Table. Rose will be selling her fire cider (Photos courtesy of Morgan Smith)
