Shoppers browse locally made products, including Cowboy Candy candied jalapenos, at the Social Hall Stand during the Farm Stand Tour

GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - From organic squash and summer flowers to fresh sourdough bread and hand-squeezed white peach lemonade, each stop on the Farm Stand Tour offered shoppers something unique.

The one-day tour, now in its third season, ran from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 11, and featured a coordinated effort by eight local farmers and artisans.

As an incentive to visit each participating location, organizers held a contest based on the honor system. Each stand offered a map and a unique stamp. Shoppers who visited each location collected stamps and turned in their completed maps for a chance to win a gift basket filled with products from each vendor.

Shoppers visited eight farm stands across the Gridley, Biggs and Manzanita areas during the third annual Farm Stand Tour

Stand owners reported that 84 completed maps were returned during the 2026 Farm Stand Tour, a number that does not include shoppers who visited only a few of the roadside stands.

"This tour was almost double our biggest tour last year," said Justine Reis of Reis Ranch Produce.

Reis, who has participated since the first Farm Stand Tour, said she was impressed by the turnout.

"I'm blown away with the turnout," Reis said.

Many vendors observed shoppers following one another from stand to stand or running into friends and family along the route.

"What I noticed was how much fun people were having," said Paula Carli of Windmill Flower Farm. "I could hear people laughing and greeting people they knew. It was always happy at my stand, which made my day."

Ryker Canada of Canada Family Farms serves fresh apple cider slushies and apple crepes to visitors during the Farm Stand Tour

The Farm Stand Tour maintained a steady flow of customers throughout the day, with many vendors running low on products by day's end.

Stands accepted various forms of payment, including cash, PayPal and Venmo, making it easy for shoppers to sample products such as Cowboy Candy candied jalapenos from B Street Blooms, apple crepes and apple cider slushies from Canada Family Farms, handcrafted beaded jewelry from the Aldrich Family Farm Cart, iris root starts and tallow from Hastings Avenue Veggie Stand and magnesium spray, bath bombs and bath salts from the Social Hall Stand.

After the tour concluded, organizers gathered to draw the contest winner.

Rather than awarding one prize, organizers presented two overflowing baskets filled with locally grown products to winner Allie Little.

Aminah Kahn, left, and her mother, Joan Clark, browse fresh flower arrangements and nectarines at Windmill Flower Farm during the Farm Stand Tour

The participating farm stands have returned to their regular operating hours for the remainder of the summer. Most are open daily through sundown, although some products are available only on certain days or while in season. Vendors also reminded customers that security measures are in place to help deter theft.

"It's an honor to be a part of these tours," said Andrea Mangan of the Social Hall Road Stand.

Vendors said they appreciated the community's support and look forward to welcoming customers back throughout the season.

"We're humbled by the overwhelming excitement and support for our farm stand tours," said Ashley Sillier of The Sheldon Stand. "That one day is enough to keep me motivated for the rest of the season."

The next Farm Stand Tour is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 12.

Allie Little won two baskets filled with products donated by participating vendors after her completed Farm Stand Tour map was selected in the drawing. Photo courtesy of the Farm Stand Tour