Press Release: For Immediate Release

Marin Farmers Markets

Contact: Amelia Spilger

Fairfax Farmers Market Manager

415.472.6100 x 110

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PLASTIC BAG - FREE FAIRFAX FARMERS MARKET OPENS MAY 6^th

FAIRFAX, APRIL 27^th, 2009 –The Fairfax Farmers Market will open for the 2009 season on Wednesday, May 6^th under the redwoods of Bolinas Park. The market will run 4 pm-8 pm through the end of September. Even with its unique collection of 25 local farmers, food purveyors, and artisans, what may be most notable this season is what you will not find at the Fairfax Farmers Market – single use plastic bags.

“This season marks a tremendous culmination of years of work by hundreds of people in the Fairfax Farmers Market community,” reflects Market Manager Amelia Spilger. While dozens of other cities across the country have put legislation into effect to ban plastic bags, the Town of Fairfax was the first town to put the ordinance on a public ballot. “As I talk through alternatives to plastic bags with my farmers, I’ve found that they feel reassured by the fact that the people of Fairfax voted for this change. It helps quell any anxiety that might come up.”

Farmers and food purveyors will be providing paper and compostable bags in place of plastic bags – however all parties recognize that the goal is for market shoppers to remember to bring their own bags (B.Y.O.B.). While paper and compostable bags offer alternatives to plastic bags, they are still single-use bags, and therefore use valuable resources. The success of this transition will depend on the commitment of the customer to relearn how to carry home all their fresh produce without all the plastic.

Sustainable Fairfax will continue to play an integral role in supporting this educational effort. Since 2007, the Fairfax Farmers Market has been home to Green Wednesdays, a program led by Sustainable Fairfax exploring the notion that every day is Earth Day by providing local residents with tips on ways they can reduce their environmental footprint throughout the year. Pam Harwell-Herrero, Executive Director of Sustainable Fairfax, echoes Spilger’s enthusiasm, ““I am so proud of all the dedication of a coalition that included town council and staff, businesses and organizations working together to make this happen." Sustainable Fairfax and Good Earth Natural Foods will generously donate over 150 cloth produce bags for the farmers to hand out to their customers on the first night of the market.

Marin Farmers Markets and Sustainable Fairfax recognize that this transition could not have happened without the support of the following people and organizations: the Town of Fairfax and the County of Marin for their on-going support, Green Sangha for their expertise in navigating the world of plastics, Patty Garbarino from Marin Sanitary for agreeing to do a pilot composting program for the market, Good Earth Natural Foods for donating Sustainable Fairfax’s produce bags, and neighboring market organizations like the Ecology Center in Berkeley and the Center for Urban Education on Sustainable Agriculture in San Francisco for sharing best practices on how to transition away from plastic bags.

Spilger notes that “the Fairfax Farmers Market is truly reflective of the Fairfax community. The fact that market booths are nestled in between towering redwoods rather than in straight lines embodies Fairfax’s “think outside the box” spirit. It’s appropriate that Fairfax will be Marin Farmers Markets’ first market to make the leap in transitioning away from plastic bags. We’re looking forward to learning some valuable lessons and hope that all our shoppers will come prepared with reusable bags and positive attitudes as we redefine the Fairfax Farmers Market experience.”

Marin Farmers Markets is a 501(c)5 non-profit which runs 7 farmers markets in the Bay Area. For 26 years MFM has been bringing farmers and communities together to create healthy viable local food systems. For more information please visit www.marinfarmersmarkets.org.
Sustainable Fairfax is one of the first groups in Marin to pioneer sustainability, with a legacy of educating the town council, supporting the community, providing services to the town, and conducting educational events since 1999. For more information please visit www.sustainablefairfax.org.