Carlsbad's State Street Farmers Market is competing for a spot among California's top three farmers markets in a national contest, and the Carlsbad Village Association wants residents to help push it over the top.
The market entered the 18th annual America's Farmers Market Celebration, a public-vote contest run by American Farmland Trust that ranks the country's favorite markets. Voting opened Aug. 1 and closes at 2 p.m. PT on Sept. 30. Each person can cast one free vote at markets.farmland.org.
Voting is free.
As of Wednesday, Aug. 26, the market had received 42 votes on the contest site. The contest rules confirm voting runs through Sept. 30, though the market's individual voting page displayed a "closed" message on Aug. 26 that may reflect a per-user display state after a vote is cast.
The CVA, which manages the Wednesday market on State Street between Carlsbad Village Drive and Grand Avenue, said in a blog post that any prize money would go back into the market to benefit vendors and shoppers. The national contest distributes $15,000 total, with the top finisher earning $2,500, second place $2,000 and third place $1,500. The market with the most votes in each state also earns a "State Choice" designation.
The market has operated in the Village for more than 30 years, running every Wednesday with spring and summer hours of 2:30-7 p.m. and fall and winter hours of 2:30-6 p.m. It focuses on certified growers and artisan-packaged foods at 2907 State St.
Christine Davis is listed as the market contact on the American Farmland Trust voting page and manages the market through the Carlsbad Village Association.
The CVA framed its campaign around a "top three in California" goal, though the contest's formal structure recognizes one state-level winner per state rather than a top-three tier. Nationally, the top 10 markets split the $15,000 prize pool.
Residents who want to cast a ballot can find the market on the American Farmland Trust site before the Sept. 30 deadline. One vote per person is allowed, requiring only a name and email address.
Previously, Carlsbad's State Street Farmers Market won gold for The Best in North County:
