WINTER MONTHS BRING SLIM PICKINGS TO FARMERS MARKET LOW NUMBER OF VENDORS EXPECTED TO PICK UP IN SPRING.

Byline: Carol Rock Staff Writer

NEWHALL - Chestnuts roasting on an open fire were one of several attractions for shoppers at the Old Town Newhall Farmers Market on Thursday night as Santa Ana winds blew and a definite chill was in the air.

In the center of the lot was a small pile of snow from a local ice company - but to the kids playing in it, it might as well have been Mammoth Mountain. A new downtown association served hot cider and chocolate and Santa Claus shared the stage with singers warbling Christmas carols.

Ten stalwart vendors - down from the 27 featured when the market opened in July - worked in stalls featuring a variety of winter fruits and vegetables, doing their best to fill the vacant lot at San Fernando Road and Sixth Street in the downtown Newhall redevelopment area.

``It might look sparse now, but we'll have a nice full market in the spring,'' said Jenny Aurit, the city's project technician in charge of the market. ``Numbers are down because we lost all the pit fruit vendors, those popular summer fruits and grape sellers. And our bread guy, who everybody loves, had open heart surgery, so we're holding his spot for him.''

``This market will take time to get established,'' said Lisa Morgan, the market manager. ``There are people who thought we'd fall apart in the winter, but we have a lot of people who are loyal to the market, both farmers and customers.''

Morgan said most markets are slow during winter months, especially those that take place in the evenings, like Newhall's. She thinks that with more advertising, especially word of mouth, that the market will be competitive.

Farmers pay 7 percent of their proceeds to Morgan, who pays a percentage to the city of Santa Clarita. Craft vendors pay a flat fee.

``Our objective is to bring people into the downtown area,'' Aurit said. ``And to build a sense of community. It was never our intention to make money with the market. Karen (Welchel), the manager of the Sunday market at College of the Canyons, told me it took them 12 years to break even.''

Aurit said that her involvement with the market has given her a new appreciation for farmers.

``They have such great stories and histories,'' she said. ``Most of them are farmers because their grandparents and great-grandparents were farmers and they're proud of what they bring. Some of them have grafted special kinds of fruits and you can't get that at a supermarket.

``So many of them live the solitary life and this provides a social opportunity for them,'' she added. ``I'm so happy that they're hanging in there. I usually bake them something Wednesday night to show them they are appreciated.''

Thursday was Brett Beal's first night at the Newhall market and his roasting ovens tantalized shoppers with the smell of roasted peanuts.

``This is a great town and it's growing,'' he said as he bagged an order for a customer. ``They seem to be doing a lot. And I do have the finest handpicked Virginia peanuts.''

Viva Andres has her own fan club. As the only seller of bitter melon, she ticked off the health benefits of the wrinkled green vegetable.

``It has many healing properties, people use it for cancer and AIDS, it has a lot of vitamin A and is a blood cleanser,'' she said. ``It's good for dieting, too; keeps me regular.''

Like Andres, farmers frequently dispense advice and folklore with their products. And a sample is either offered or quickly procured. A squatty cactus-like chermoya was quickly cut open for inquiring customers. As they marveled over the sweet banana pudding-like fruit, four sales were made. Farmers know that to taste is to buy and depend on the interaction to lighten their load going home.

Richard Bertola, who grows apples, apricots and peaches on his Littlerock farm, is one of the generational farmers Aurit was talking about. At his side was son Roger, who plans to study agriculture at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. In the meantime, he works the stall with his dad.

``Politics hasn't entered this market yet,'' said the elder Bertola. ``The people are nice and the vendors are nice and considering this is our only crop right now, sales for us are pretty good.''

Bob Cameron, who sells garlic balsamic bread dips at eight different farmers markets around the Southland, said that he's noticed a dip in attendance, but is taking advantage of the gift-giving season with his wares. For the holidays, he packaged miniature bottles of his sauces in four-packs for the gourmet on Santa's list.

``When it first started, it was gangbusters,'' he said. ``But I like this market, even though it's cold and windy. The people out here are good. It's worth the commute from Torrance.''

Carol Rock, [phone]

carol.rock(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

3 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Fresh fruits and vegetables are available directly from growers at the Old Town Newhall Farmers Market, on the vacant lot at San Fernando Road and Sixth Street in downtown.

(2) Ten vendors worked in stalls recently at the farmers market, down from 27 when the market opened in July.

(3) Kassidy, left, and Paige Berggren enjoy a snowball fight with their grandmother Nancy Berggren at the Old Town Newhall Farmers Market last Thursday.

Tom Mendoza/Staff Photographer