Cash ‘n’ carrot

The Chico Certified Farmers’ Market was especially festive last Saturday (Aug. 9) as vendors, market supporters and city officials celebrated the CCFM’s first annual lease payment to the city of Chico.

As onlookers held colorful letters spelling out “Thank you, Chico,” CCFM members presented Mayor Scott Gruendl with an oversized $5,000 check pasted to a large paper carrot.

The 9:30 a.m. ceremony was partly in observation of National Farmers’ Market Week, but the real cause for celebration was the end of the CCFM’s long battle to stay in its downtown location at the corner of Second and Wall streets. After years of contention sparked by vocal downtown business owners who claimed the market negatively impacts parking and commerce in the area, the council voted unanimously June 17 to sign a six-year lease with the CCFM.