Vendors from West Butte Orchards sell fresh fruit at the Sept. 4 Sidewalk Farmers Market in downtown Sutter. The event featured about 30 vendors with produce, flowers, handmade goods and food. Photo by Lloyd Green Jr.

SUTTER, CA (MPG) - The streets of downtown Sutter are filling with vendors and visitors again as the Sidewalk Farmers Market kicked off its fall season on Sept. 4, with additional dates scheduled for Oct. 2, Nov. 6 and Dec. 4.

Organizer Sarah Donighi said the market was created to bring people together, support local businesses along California Street and provide a place for crafters and growers to share their products.

“Natural and holistic is the vibe,” she said.

The market includes about 30 vendors offering handmade goods, baked goods, in-season produce and fresh flowers. Attendees can also find dinner and snack options, a few food trucks, and a mobile bookstore. Local favorite The Farmhouse Bakery has joined the lineup with breads and sweet items.

Vendor booths are available for $25 for a 10-by-10-foot space. Donighi said the event relies heavily on vendor fees and is looking for sponsors to help expand programming.

“We would like to bring in entertainment, but it is difficult to float this by vendors alone,” she said.

Shoppers line up at The Farmhouse Bakery booth during the Sept. 4 Sidewalk Farmers Market in downtown Sutter. The bakery, formerly Stephens Farmhouse, offered breads and baked goods as part of the second monthly market. Photo by Lloyd Green Jr.

The market is built on networks from the Farmer’s Wife Barn shows and the Yuba City farmers market. Several California Street businesses have supported the effort, including Sutter City Auto Body, Sutter Mini Mart, Taco Time, the Farmer’s Wife, Mendoza Electric and Sutter Mechanic Shop.

Donighi said she hopes the event encourages residents to explore downtown and shop locally. The location allows visitors to browse booths while also stopping in at nearby shops and restaurants.

The event has drawn a mix of regular vendors and new participants. Offerings range from handcrafted jewelry and home décor to holistic products, jams, and candles. With fresh produce and flowers, the event also resembles a traditional farmers market, providing residents with access to local fruits and vegetables.

Community members walking through the market on opening day were also able to visit food trucks serving a variety of meals. The mobile bookstore added a unique stop, giving attendees a chance to browse titles outdoors.

While the market has quickly found community support, Donighi said the long-term goal is to continue building momentum and return in the spring. After the December date, the market will pause during the winter months, with plans to resume in May or June.

“We want to create something lasting that the community looks forward to,” Donighi said. “This is about bringing people together and giving them a reason to spend time in downtown Sutter.”

Updates are available on the Donighi Exchange Facebook page.