The Pasadena Certified Farmers’ Market at Villa Parke opens Tuesday, June 9, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 363 E. Villa St., bringing certified California-grown produce, prepared foods, baked goods, and plants to one of Pasadena’s most established neighborhood market sites.
The market has operated every Tuesday morning since 1980 more than 45 years and was founded specifically to serve what market manager Gretchen Sterling has described, according to Pasadena Now, as “Pasadena’s lowest census income census tract and the highest number of elementary school children.” It accepts EBT/CalFresh and participates in the Hunger Action LA Market Match program, which provides additional purchasing value for qualifying shoppers buying fresh produce.
About 13 vendors typically set up on Tuesdays, according to Visit Pasadena, offering certified fresh produce from California growers, prepared foods, artisan baked goods, and floral and plant vendors. Admission is free.
June brings peak summer availability. According to the market’s own ripening calendar, shoppers can expect stone fruit peaches, nectarines, apricots, and cherries alongside boysenberries, strawberries, early watermelons, tomatoes, corn, cucumbers, and snap beans.
The market occupies the grounds of Villa Parke Community Center, a City of Pasadena facility that also houses a Head Start Preschool, a WIC Center, a library, and a community garden.
Sterling, who has managed the market since its founding, told Pasadena Now in September 2025 that the market had become the longest-continuously-operating certified farmers’ market in the Los Angeles region after the Gardena market closed during COVID-19. Los Angeles County now has 170 certified farmers’ markets, up from 14 at the time the Pasadena market launched.
“My goal at Villa is still to give the best quality produce for the price that customers can buy,” Sterling said, according to Pasadena Now.
The market runs rain or shine every week, with one exception: the week of the Tournament of Roses Parade. A second Pasadena Certified Farmers’ Market location operates Saturdays at Victory Park, at the 2900 block of North Sierra Madre Boulevard.
Information: pasadenafarmersmarket.org/VillaParke | (626) 449-0179
“My job is helping keep farmers farming and customers eating well, healthy and well,” Sterling told Pasadena Now.
Pasadena Farmers’ Market at Villa Parke (Tuesdays) Date: Tuesday, June 9, 2026, 8:30 AM–12:30 PM Venue: Villa Parke, 363 E. Villa St., Pasadena, CA 91101 Cost: Free entry Link: https://www.pasadenanow.com/weekendr/category/entertainment/museums-libraries/
