Cars and trucks filled the small parking lot outside Rich Bar Taproom in Quincy on Wednesday, June 11, spilling out to line the streets. Sunlight reflected the early summer heat off multicolored pop–up tents and canopies, just visible over the Taproom fence. Notes of live music and the soft murmur of a chatting crowd, interspersed with bursts of laughter, were audible. The Quincy Farmers Market, once a summer favorite for locals and visitors alike, was back after five long years.
The loss of a local tradition
For nearly two decades, the Farmers Market operated as a summertime mainstay in downtown Quincy. Run by the Feather River Food Co-op, the outdoor event didn’t just provide access to fresh, organic produce and other locally produced goods — it created a space for the community to connect and grow together.
In 2019, the co-op took a break from operating the market. There is a lack of consensus regarding the primary cause for the hiatus, according to Ross MacNeil, outreach and marketing coordinator for the Co-op. The burden of organizing a weekly market combined with dwindling vendor interest played a primary role. “Many vendors who came from Chico and other areas in the valley were not willing to drive such great distances anymore,” said MacNeil.
The community rallied at the prospect of no longer having a local market, and the Lassen/Plumas/Sierra Community Action Agency stepped in that summer. It established the new Quincy Certified Farmers Market, temporarily creating a space for local farmers to sell their products to Plumas residents eager to keep their market traditions alive. Any hope for a continued Farmers Market, however, was dashed in 2020 with isolation measures mandated by the COVID pandemic.
Organizing a revival
Despite this disruption, the original Quincy Farmers Market was never forgotten. The Co-op began a conversation with Lost Sierra Food Project in early 2024 about reviving the market, and interest quickly skyrocketed. Plumas Arts became involved in organizing music and entertainment, and Rich Bar Taproom, a still-new business eager to provide a venue for local community events, offered its outdoor space.
By mid-2024, the Farmers Market Committee, a collaboration between Feather River Food Co-op, Lost Sierra Food Project, Plumas Arts and Rich Bar Taproom, was up and running. A project of this magnitude wouldn’t be possible, MacNeil said, without an amazing collection of sponsors and volunteers: “So many local organizations and individuals banded together to support this effort and we feel very fortunate for that.”
“I am a huge proponent of events like this. I think they are an integral part of why communities flourish.”
– Samantha Rick, Farmers Market Committee member
Samantha Rick, the former manager of Rich Bar Taproom, is one such individual. She has been representing Rich Bar on the Farmers Market Committee since its inception. For Rick, the presence of a Farmers Market is a sign of a thriving community. “I am a huge proponent of events like this. I think they are an integral part of why communities flourish,” she said.
MacNeil feels the same. “Events like the Quincy Farmers Market are essential to the social and economic fabric of our community. They strengthen local food systems, provide platforms for small businesses and create accessible gathering places where people from all walks of life can connect,“ he said. “These kinds of events foster a sense of shared investment in the health and resilience of the community.”
“What excites me most about the market revival is seeing local farmers, makers and neighbors come together in one space,” MacNeil continued. “The energy at the market is inspiring — it’s not just about buying food; it’s about celebrating community and having fun!”
Community connections at the Quincy Farmers Market
That community energy was evident June 11 as shoppers with market bags made their way through the stands offering fresh vegetables, flowers and tinctures. People hugged, waved and paused for conversation as they explored local produce and products. Up on stage, musical duo Fluxwave performed for audience members relaxing on hay bales, and provided a background soundtrack for folks more interested in perusing the market wares.
Many children were in attendance, with parents chasing toddlers around the Quircus tent and families sitting at picnic tables enjoying snacks from Rich Bar’s onsite food truck. For Rick, this multi-generational attendance is particularly exciting. “When our younger population is involved in events like a farmers market, they see their peers and community members thriving and taking pride in what they do,” Rick said. “That in turn makes them feel proud and allows them to get inspired.”
“We have such wonderful support from the community,” Rick continued, “and it just warms my heart to see everyone enjoying what we have to offer locally.”
Looking ahead, MacNeil said he would like to see the Quincy Farmers Market become a cornerstone event for the region, “something people plan their weeks around.” He envisions educational workshops and community partnerships, and a potential strawberry festival in the future.
“For this first season, though, we are just focusing on building a following and building trust in our local producers and farmers,” MacNeil said. There were nine vendors and over 150 attendees at the June 11 market. MacNeil anticipates both these numbers increasing with subsequent markets.
This summer, the Quincy Farmers Market will take place from 4-7 p.m. every second Wednesday of the month from June to October. The next market will be held July 9, capping off Independence Day weekend.
