Old Towne Orange Farmers & Artisans Market Celebrates Success & Announces Move From Seasonal to Year Round Starting Nov. 5

Old Towne Orange Farmers and Artisans Market, happening every Saturday, is going year round starting November 5th. The new hours for the market will change to 9:00 am to 1:00 pm then. The Farmers Market is located at Chapman University's Historic Villa Park Orchards Packinghouse parking lot located at the northwest corner of Cypress and Palm Avenue. End Quote

Orange County, CA (1888PressRelease) October 27, 2011 - Due to its community success, Orange Home Grown, Inc. announced today the Old Towne Orange Farmers and Artisans Market happening every Saturday, is going year round. The new hours for the market will change from 8 a.m. to 12 noon to 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., starting November 5th. The Farmers Market was launched on May 7, 2011, and is located at Chapman University's Historic Villa Park Orchards Packinghouse parking lot located at the northwest corner of Cypress and Palm Avenue.

Along with the new hours come some exciting changes. New for the holidays, Artists Alley will be introduced to the market starting November 5th and running until December 17th. This will be an annual seasonal event at the market. Local artists will be featured giving the community the opportunity to purchase unique holiday gifts.

Just in time for Halloween on Saturday, October 29th, anyone dressed in costume at the market will receive a Halloween treat compliments of the Orange Home Grown Board of Directors. Also, bring your already carved Jack-O-Lantern to the market on that day and enter it in the Farmers Market Jack-O-Lantern contest. The winner will receive a farmers market gift basket filled with holiday goodies fresh from the market.

Chef demos and special educational presentations by some of the market's farmers will commence in November. On Saturday, November 19th, Beekeeper Bill Walter will share his passion of bees at 10 a.m. and at 12 noon discussing the safe, humane, and gentle, honeybee rescue and relocation practiced by Guerilla Bee Keepers, located locally in Silverado Canyon. This will be a great event for the kids, too.

The market continues to be a well-loved event in the City of Orange. "It's great to see the community come together and show support for our local vendors," says Executive Chef Gabbi Patrick, who is a huge supporter of the Farmers Market. "On any given Saturday at the market, you can find residents, chefs, store owners, city officials and students shopping."

"We've gotten such positive feedback on the food tours we provide to the Orange Home Grown Farmer's Market," says Renee Dallas of Old Towne Orange Walking Food Tours, which visits regularly. "In fact, week after week we run into people we've introduced to the market coming back to shop, lingering over coffee and getting some great fresh produce. There's a unifying effect on the community too, as I think just about everyone here can come together over healthy food, locally grown; celebrated in this historical area we all feel connected to."

"The Orange Home Grown Farmers Market is a great way for us to educate market-goers of all ages about the importance of honeybees, the vital role they play in maintaining our diverse food supply, and our treatment-free methods of beekeeping," says Bill Walter. "Additionally, we get the opportunity to offer our local, raw, and unfiltered honey and skin care products to customers who are concerned about the origin of what they eat and use."

The Orange Home Grown Farmers Market also offers a free cup of coffee each Saturday, while supplies last, compliments of Sodexo and Chapman University.

For information about how to become a vendor, please contact the Market Manager Brandon Kunkle at 714.348.8158 or brandonohg ( @ ) gmail dot com dot

EVENTS:

October 29
Orange Blossoms- Orange Blossoms is an auxiliary of the Assistance League of Orange, and is an all volunteer organization of woman ages 20-30s. They consist of stay at home mom's, young professionals, and anyone interested in making a difference in the community. They will be at the market sharing information about the new City Park that they are funding and designing. http://orangeblossomsalo.org/aboutus.aspx

Halloween fun for the kids- Kids/parents who come dressed up in costume to the market will receive a Halloween treat compliments of the Orange Home Grown Board of Directors. Also, bring your (already carved) Jack-O-Lanterns to the market that day and enter it in the Farmers Market Jack-O-Lantern contest. The winner will receive a farmers market gift basket full of fun goodies from the market.

November 5
New for the holidays- Artists Alley! On November 5, Artists Alley will be introduced to the market. This will be an annual seasonal event at the market, featuring local artists and their creativity. Local artists have been invited to come to the market from November 5 to December 17 to sell their artwork (pottery, photography, jewelry, etc.). This will give market patrons the opportunity to purchase holiday gifts for loved ones. This also is the day that the market will be officially changing its hours to 9am-1pm.

Bicycle Tree- They are a non-profit group in Orange County helping communities repair and maintain their own bicycles by providing tools, knowledge, and a supportive workshop environment. http://www.thebicycletree.org/

Orange Blossoms- Orange Blossoms is an auxiliary of the Assistance League of Orange, and is an all volunteer organization of woman ages 20-30's. They consist of stay at home mom's, young professionals, and anyone interested in making a difference in the community. They will be at the market sharing information about the new City Park that they are funding and designing. http://orangeblossomsalo.org/aboutus.aspx

November 12
Chapman University's Department of Student & Campus Life selects students passionate about sustainability to educate and influence change amongst their peers as Sustainability Leaders. Sustainability Leaders coordinate a variety of educational programs that empower students with the knowledge, skills, and motivation to live more sustainably.

November 19
Guerilla Bee Keeper Presentation by Bill Walter 10 am and 12 noon presentation. Each presentation will be 20 minutes long-Safe, humane, and gentle, honeybee rescue and relocation located in Silverado Canyon. http://guerillabeekeepers.com/index.shtml

December 3
Bicycle Tree- They are a non-profit group in Orange County helping communities repair and maintain their own bicycles by providing tools, knowledge, and a supportive workshop environment. http://www.thebicycletree.org/

Nicole Ely- Nicole is a Certified Dietitian that comes to the market once a month to share information about nutrition with children and families. She supplies recipes in both Spanish and English, prizes, and fun activities for the kids (such as a market scavenger hunt where children go to each farmer to learn about different fruits and vegetables).

Deborah Demarco Skin Care- Deborah DeMarco has been a licensed skin care therapist since 2006. She was trained at the internationally renowned Paul Mitchell Skin Academy and The International Dermal Institute. Her practical experience includes providing state-of-the-art services in dermatology/medical office, day spa, and full service salon settings. Deborah's focus is on providing clients with individualized skin care in order to give them the healthiest and most lustrous skin they can have-regardless of age or condition. Deborah will be at the market providing information to market patrons about the types of fruits and vegetables that should be eaten in order to have health skin.

December 17
Last day of Artists Alley
Last Farmers Market before Christmas. Market resumes to regular weekly schedule on January 7, 2012.

About Orange Home Grown, Inc.
Orange Home Grown, Inc. (OHG) is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization founded by nine Orange, California residents Megan Penn, Betsy Elliott, Brian Kunisch, Carolyn Cramp, Martha Turner, Nedra Kunisch, Vicky Kisow, Matthew Ludin, and Kirsten Trautwein, dedicated to operating a local Saturday farmers and artisans market in the city of Orange and bringing an awareness of healthy living to their community. Orange Home Grown Inc's primary mission is to cultivate a healthy community through family-friendly and community-based education programs in collaboration with like-minded community organizations. Emphasis is placed on wholesome nutrition, sustainable practices, health and fitness, and strengthening neighborhood and community relationships. Education and events are geared to all ages and income levels.

For more information or to sign up for their quarterly newsletter, visit www.orangehomegrown.org or Facebook.

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