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20
April – June 2013
www.deltalivingmagazine.com
By Dr. Margaret Stahler, ND
margaretstahlernd@hotmail.com
W
hat started out as a search for mi-
gratory sand hill cranes on a local’s
tip to stop at the Delta Farmers Market, be-
cause “they knew all about the delta,” turned
into an extremely pleasant afternoon. Browsing
the market for winter fruits and vegetables led
to the discovery of a delicious barbeque lunch
served with a glass of local wine. Lunch in the
wine tasting room provided the space for an
unfolding conversation with the people who
run the market about their deep seated love of
the values of everyday life in the delta.
Long before there was a market, there was a
geologic story to be told about the creation of
the San Francisco Bay estuaries known as the
delta, formed by the Sacramento and San Joa-
quin rivers.The delta’s natural history includes
cultural gems about Native Americans, the ear-
ly settlers to modern agriculture.This historical
story has found its voice. It is at the ngertips of
retired oceanographer, Ken Scheidegger, PhD,
president of the nonpro t Discover the Delta
Foundation.His great grandparents built a two-
story house in 1894 close to the Three Mile
Island Bridge of Sherman Island.During oods,
they would move upstairs, remain in their home
and take a boat to town for supplies.You could
say the delta is in his genes. Darrylynn Shatting,
the wine sales manager, Laura Scheidegger, ex-
ecutive director of the foundation, and Barry
Sibert, the produce manager, a third generation
RioVistan, are engaged in this story as well.
Eleven million vehicles pass by the market
yearly, strategically placed at the intersections of
Highways 12 and 160. Although the design is
to showcase produce and wine of the area,mar-
ket income combined with funds from grant
proposals, will pay for the Delta Educational
Center. The center will connect with the San
Francisco Aquarium and the Great California
Delta Trail. Scheidegger wants to tell the sci-
enti c story of the delta through the over 220
From the earth
to your plate
Delta Farmers Market:
Located at
the intersection of past and present
Photos by Robert Chen
Ken and Laura Scheidegger, President and Executive Director of the Discover the Delta Foundation, in front of the farmers market with historic water tower.
Market Property Manager, Paul Cecchini of Isleton, ready to ring up a customer at the counter or to help a customer
nd just the right item.