I would like to respond to the information written about me in
Friday’s Morgan Hill Times. Gail Hayden said things that were
inaccurate, untrue or unnecessary.
Lots of misinformation about Mitra’s Bakery in Farmers’ Market story
Dear Editor,
I would like to respond to the information written about me in Friday’s Morgan Hill Times. Gail Hayden said things that were inaccurate, untrue or unnecessary.
I want to make it clear, that I have never yelled, screamed or even talked to the teen manager that Hayden refers to. The only person who was screamed at was me when I called Hayden’s secretary about the result of my application for Farmers’ Market. I asked her “Are you yelling at me?” She said, “Yes.”
She claims that I was offered the chance to reapply and that I never called her back, which is not true. I already had a negative experience last year when they asked me to send samples to them. I did this many times, at least then they told me they had no space available.
When it was reported in the Morgan Hill Times article, “Business owner Mitra Nazari, an immigrant,” Hayden mentions that I come from a socialist country where everyone is equal. I wonder what she was trying to say. Is she showing me the way to go back home or is this an excuse for not allowing me to join the Farmers’ Market.
What does “socialist” country mean? What does it have to do with my wish to join the Farmers’ Market? Now I am living under the flag of the United States of America and want to fulfill my dream of raising my family and making a decent living in an open market.
Hayden says that because my table and tent were set up over a gravel area that the food could be hazardous from the dust. That’s nonsense. All the food was made in a permitted kitchen and wrapped and I was less than a few feet from other certified vendors. I don’t think all the dust would come just to me and I did have the approval of the Santa Clara County Health Department and the city of Morgan Hill, although after the Farmers’ Market director complained to the city they stated that it would require a temporary use permit. Hayden called the police the first Saturday I was there. Brad Jones (from BookSmart) spoke to the officer and assured him I had the right paperwork and asked the officer to look at it. After reviewing the documentation the officer let me stay and left. The second Saturday, the woman in charge of the Farmers’ Market that day called police again. She spoke to the policeman right in front of me. He said, “I am sorry, I can’t remove her. I went through her paperwork. She has all permits in order.”
When Hayden said, “Allowing Mitra’s Bakery into the market is unlikely,” it sounds like she made this decision. I sent her a letter in July saying, “I don’t have any wish to be a part of your Farmers’ Market anymore, please remove me from your waiting list,” making the previous statement nonsense or maybe she had ignored my letter and did not read it.
Hayden said I forced my way onto the corner and called me a squatter, which is untrue and slanderous. The definition of squatter is “unlawful tenant, unlawful resident.” Jones (the landlord) gave me permission, along with four other vendors. If the other farmers were angry, they didn’t say anything to me. They were very nice to me and asked why I am no longer there.
Hayden said I should apologize to customers, but it is she who should be apologizing to me for embarrassing me publicly, saying things that are untrue, bringing my country of origin into this when it has nothing to do with the problem, and finally underestimating the intelligence of our community to swallow and accept everything she has said.
My husband and I would like to tell everyone about Aachen (an old city in Germany), which is famous for one cookie; the “Aachener prinzen.” Our cinnamon bread is almost as famous and has been ordered from all over the state and overseas, including London. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if Mitra’s Bakery became an attraction for their baked goods in Morgan Hill? Our customers will come.
In the end we appreciate all the customers who came in last week and showed us their concern, sympathy, support and the Morgan Hill Times for reporting the story.
Mitra Nazari, Mitra’s Bakery
Morgan Hill Farmers’ Market is populated with local growers
Dear Editor,
I found the title and content of your “Locals not a priority at farmers’ market” article to be inflammatory and irresponsible. Had Lindsay Bryant fact checked, she would have realized that the Morgan Hill Farmers’ Market is populated with local growers. Local growers and producers at the Morgan Hill Farmers’ Market include Dolly’s Orchids, Garcia Begonias, Gonzales Farms, Kika’s Strawberries, Love’s Tropicals, Miyata Farms, Monterey Mushrooms, Prevedelli Family Farms, Ruvalcalba Flowers, Sunrise Nursery, Swank Farms, Uva’s Gold Honey, Vasquez Farms, Beckman’s, Big Paw, Greenlee’s Bakery, Greg Young Fish, Foxhollow Farms, Jardin de Crepe, Morgan Hill Bakery, Aoi Sushi and more, all within 30 miles of Morgan Hill. Six of which are listed within Morgan Hill city limits. Most would consider this local. Farmers’ Markets are a part of a state program, designed where farms only sell what they grow.
Farmers’ Markets are not Bakery Markets. Mitra’s Bakery withdrew their application June 14, nearly three months ago, after neglecting to submit a product list per multiple requests. I find the article stale and unnecessary as any problem was resolved June 14.
I encourage everyone in Morgan Hill to come to the Farmers’ Market to meet their community and local growers Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Depot and Third streets.
Doug Hayden, President, California Farmers’ Markets Association
