Online farmers market offers Valley delivery service

Farmers markets packed up months ago in the Carson Valley and home gardens might be blanketed with snow in the near future, so where does one get fresh produce during the winter months?

Lake Tahoe Markets owners Jill and Steve Rozier created a solution with a home delivery service of fresh produce.

Having been an online service for the Basin area for 10 years, the Rozier’s wanted to expand their services, offering the program in the Carson Valley.

“We’ve been the freshest produce in the Basin area, now we want to be the freshest in the Lake Tahoe area and Carson Valley,” said Jill. “We offer a variety of sizes to choose from and the ability to request both fruits and vegetables or one or the other and it’s all fresh.”

The former Jacks Valley residents used to farm at their home and run the Lampe Park Farmers Market before it shut down in 2015.

Now, they own and operate Lake Tahoe Markets, an online farmers market where customers can create bags of produce just like they were shopping at a farmers’ market.

“We are kind of the broker between the farmer and the consumer,” said Jill. “Customers can expect the same produce from farmers they have gotten to know at local farmers markets.”

Lake Tahoe Markets partners with farms from California and Southern Oregon.

“We started this program, because we never wanted to shut these markets down,” said Steve. “So many people go to the farmers market during the summer, but then winter comes, and they can’t get fresh produce and sometimes grocery stores don’t carry what is needed, so this brings the produce to them and keeps the farmers working too.”

Jill said bags are customizable or there is the option for a “surprise” bag.

“I will work with the customer to create a bag that they are going to enjoy and use, while helping them to think outside of the box and try something new,” said Jill. “That’s my mic drop. That’s what’s exciting to me and fun. I enjoy helping people try new things and get creative.”

Steve said the service is timesaving, convenient and challenges people to cook at home.

“I know people who have a strict diet and don’t know what to make and have told me that these bags make it easier and fun,” he said.

Aside from the produce, customers can add other items such as floral, eggs, product from the Tahoe Bagel or Tahoe Mushroom, holiday fruit baskets and bulk items.

“It’s an opportunity for people in the Valley to experience the Tahoe Bagel company or Tahoe Mushrooms if they are not able to get to Tahoe,” said Jill. “We want to provide an experience that is convenient and fresh.”

Delivery is free and occurs Mondays for the Tahoe Basin Nevada area, Tuesdays for the Tahoe Basin California area and Wednesdays for the Gardnerville and Minden area. Purchases can be made weekly as needed and subscriptions and other offers are available.

Customers can visit https://www.laketahoemarkets.com to create a bag, find recipes and locate their delivery area.

“I consider it my job to make sure people eat their vegetables,” said Jill. “We are passionate about what we do.”