Redding Sausage-Maker Joe Furnari Tells What’s New at the Redding Certified Farmers Market

The Furnari family is proud of their hand-made sausage, made at their downtown Redding business and sold at the Redding Certified Farmers Market

Hi, Joe. Welcome to A News Cafe. It’s good to chat with you today and talk about happy things, like the Redding Certified Farmers Market.

It’s been a long time since you last graced ANC’s pages back in 2013, when young Sophia Miller was our photo intern and took some incredible pictures.

Seems like yesterday, doesn’t it?

Today we’re talking about the Redding Certified Farmer’s Market, an organization you’ve been involved with for many years. What part do you play in the Farmers Market, and to clarify, which farmers market are we talking about, because I know there are several?

This year I am vice president on the board of Shasta Growers Association, which is the Certified Farmers Market established 45 years ago here in Redding. Today, the farmers market we’re discussing takes place on Saturday mornings, and is located behind City Hall off Parkview Avenue in Redding.

Where are the other North State farmers markets, and do some vendors sell at multiple markets?

The other certified farmers markets will open beginning in June, usually lasting from 7:30 a.m. until noon: Turtle Bay Farmers Market is open Sunday mornings starting June 5, the Shasta Center Farmers Market opens Tuesdays beginning June 7, the Burney Farmers Market opens Wednesdays beginning June 8 (from 3 to 6 p.m.), and Anderson Outlets Farmers Market opens Thursdays beginning June 9.

These are the only Certified Farmers Markets in Shasta County, and we are proud to be celebrating 45 years of community involvement. Yes, some vendors sell at multiple markets.

For those new to the North State who are unfamiliar with you and the products you offer for sale as a Redding Certified Farmers Market vendor, can you tell a bit about yourself and what you sell?

Furnari Sausage Company has been in business for 15 years, and for 12 of those years, we have been at the Saturday Farmers Market.

Our kitchen is located at 1440 Placer St. in downtown Redding. We make 18 different kinds of hand-crafted artisan sausage. The Italian and Sicilian are our family recipes. Our sausage is sold in all the Holiday Markets, R&R Meats, and Orchard Nutrition.

There are also many North State restaurants and pizza parlors, as well as coffee shops, that have our products on their menus. The public can visit us at the Redding Certified Farmers Market Saturday mornings, or they can look us up online, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or call the shop 530-229-1488.

Joe Furnari’s sausage. Photo by Sophia Miller. 2013

Thanks, Joe. I’m a fan of Furnari’s Italian sausage in particular. Any new products or flavors you’re introducing this spring?

Yes, for the spicy pallet, we developed a Spicy Sicilian using Calabrian Hot Pepper Paste. Besides pork sausages, there are many turkey and chicken sausages to choose from on our menu.

They all sound delicious.

Joe, I remember the early days of the Redding Farmers Markets, when it was located west of city hall in a dirt lot. I even did some cooking demonstrations there another lifetime ago.

How long have you been involved in the Redding Farmers Market, and how has it evolved through the years?

We started in that dirt lot. Today, we have amazing high-quality local farmers. The setting on the back side of City Hall is nestled in among the shade trees. I really feel that the Saturday market has become the cornerstone for a healthy community where farmers and makers provide a family-friendly, shopping experience.

Approximately how many vendors are there now, and what kinds of products do they sell?

The number of vendors varies according to the season for the crop availability. There are approximately 30 members currently.

You will find a selection of fresh-picked, locally grown, organic fruits and vegetables, pasture-raised meats, tamales, honey, jams, coffee, fresh-baked Bundt cakes, pies and cookies, prepared foods, plant starts, home décor, and quality artisan jewelry, beauty products and crafts.

What’s the process for someone who wants to be a vendor? Also, are there any products that are not allowed, and can there be multiple vendors who sell the same items?

There is an application process. If someone is interested, they should go to the Shasta Growers Association website and download the application. The board will not allow too many of a similar product. Certified means the products are organic, or home grown or homemade and artisan crafted.

How did the pandemic affect the Redding Farmers Market, starting with two years ago until now, and how did it adapt?

We all wore masks and the health department would not allow us to offer samples. We made it through the worst of the COVID era. The public seems ready to come out and enjoy the Farmers Market!

The Redding Farmers Market recently re-opened after being closed for the winter. What changes can the public expect?

The Saturday Market opened Saturday, April 2. This is the second year Owens Pharmacy has generously provided funding for a fantastic lineup of talented local musicians and performers. We are booked through October with various entertainers and genres: rock, folk, jazz, country and blues musicians, as well as school groups and performing arts studios.

Also, North State Parent Magazine will host a table for children’s activities (near the Master gardeners’ booth). Look for them the second Saturday of each month. The Shasta College Agriculture Department is working on a few surprises as well. Follow our Shasta Growers Association SGA Facebook page for updates!

Anything else you’d like the public to know?

We want to thank our sponsors. Our markets wouldn’t happen without the support of the City of Redding. Other community partners are Healthy Shasta, which provides posters and Farm Club tokens for children at the market, as well as punch cards for the May Bike to Market Event. There’s also Northstate Parent Magazine, Market Match and Owens Pharmacy, who sponsor the entertainment at the market. We are so grateful to this supportive community!

Thank you, Joe. I think I can speak for many people who appreciate you and everyone who brings these farmers markets to the North State. I’m looking forward to stopping by one of the farmers markets soon.