A Time to Grow

A free winter gathering for farmers, food producers, and market vendors to learn, connect, and prepare for the season ahead.

Join North Union Farmers Market for A Time to Grow, a one-day conference designed to support the people who grow, raise, and make the food at our markets. This annual winter gathering brings together farmers, makers, chefs, and industry experts for practical, farmer-focused conversations that strengthen both your farm and your business.

This year’s program features engaging sessions on marketing at market, nutrition storytelling, and building meaningful connections with chefs and restaurants — all grounded in real-world experience and actionable takeaways you can use right away.

The Business of the Booth
Merchandising & Marketing for Farmers’ Market Vendors
Moti Phillips, Director of Marketing at the California Farmers’ Markets Association, shares strategies for strengthening your market presence — from booth setup and signage to branding, storytelling, and customer engagement. Learn how small, intentional changes can increase visibility, build loyalty, and translate foot traffic into stronger sales.

The Power of Local Food: Nutrition & Seasonal Eating
Carly Dureiko, MSFS, RD, LD, leads an interactive session on the nutritional value of the foods you produce and how to communicate that value with confidence. Discover practical ways to turn nutrition knowledge into clearer storytelling, stronger customer conversations, and deeper trust at the market.

From Farm to Kitchen: How Chefs Source Local Food
Hear directly from Chef Jeremy Umansky (Larder) and Chef Jacob DeSimone (Cordelia) as they discuss what restaurants are sourcing right now, emerging menu and ingredient trends, and how chefs evaluate and build relationships with farms. This panel offers producers practical insight into connecting with chefs, communicating availability, and positioning products to meet the needs of today’s restaurant kitchens.