GALT, CA (MPG) - One of Galt’s major attractions is eyeing an expansion to attract more local customers as well as those from out of town.

At its Aug. 18 meeting, the City Council unanimously approved a plan by Galt Market and Parks and Recreation staff to add an evening session this fall. If results prove successful, the Market could add an evening session to its schedule next spring.

The proposed session is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 20. Hours of operation are not set yet, with market vendors indicating several preferences in a recent survey, including extending hours past the current 2 p.m. closure.

In the survey, 120 of the 191 vendors responding indicated they would be willing to participate in a Tuesday/Wednesday evening market. Additionally, 77 of 181 respondents indicated they would be willing to participate in a Thursday session.

Market manager Venicia Lesley said the proposed October evening market will be a scaled-back version focusing on specific vendors while offering family-oriented activities and live music.

Currently there are 104 produce vendors, four plant and flower vendors, 32 artisan booths and 22 food vendors with dedicated seating scheduled to take part. 

Lesley said the pilot evening market is designed to meet goals of expanding shopping opportunities, supporting loyal vendors and creating another reason to gather in Galt, especially for residents who frequent the market less than out-of-town visitors. It will provide Galt residents with a chance to shop locally while trying different foods and enjoying some evening activities.

“The pilot has been designed to minimize impacts while showcasing the best elements of the market,” Lesley said. “Our goal is to create a new community experience.”

According to a June post on its Facebook page, the Galt Market hosts over 500 vendors and has brought in more than 276,000 visitors in the first six months of 2026, averaging about 45,000 shoppers per month.

Council members were united in enthusiasm for the evening market program. All five members expressed concerns, however, about the proposed hours of operation, which Lesley said are tentatively scheduled for 4-7 p.m., with the market closing at 2 p.m. that day to allow time for cleanup.

Councilmember Shawn Farmer said that time slot would only allow for about an hour of market experience for Galt residents who get home from work after 5 p.m. 

Farmer and other council members agreed later hours would improve residents’ ability to attend.

Responding vendors in the survey took a different tack. Of 158 respondents to the question, only 41 said they would be willing to reopen after the 2 p.m. closure. 

Asked about an ideal time for an evening market, 117 of 162 respondents preferred extending hours with 18 each willing to open from 5-8 p.m. or 6-9 p.m.

Council also questioned why just a one-day trial for evening hours. Councilmember Paul Sandhu asked whether that would provide enough data to properly determine if offering a full-time evening session was worth it.

“We didn’t want to commit to a full series without ensuring that we have our vendors buy in,” Lesley said.

“We want to have a good sampling (of visitor data),” Farmer added in agreement with Sandhu, suggesting the possibility of two evenings over a two-week period.

In its motion to approve the evening session proposal, council asked staff to look at the possibility of later hours and a longer trial period.

“I have an intuition it’s going to be successful,” Farmer said.

Also at the meeting, council voted unanimously to table a Consent Calendar item dealing with a contract for senior nutrition services with Meals on Wheels at the Chabolla Center. Vice Mayor Tim Reed said he had spoken with staff and City Manager Chris Erias about his concerns regarding the number of meals in the contract.

According to the proposed agreement, Meals on Wheels will provide an estimated minimum of 10,000 and a maximum of 13,250 total annual meals, amounts including congregant and home deliveries. Reed pointed to the item’s staff reported indicating in 2025-2026 the Meals on Wheels program served a total of 3,247 meals at the Chabolla Center.

“That’s quite a big jump,” Reed said of the difference between the amount served and minimum amount proposed in the two-year agreement valued at a total of $35,207, adding the difference of almost 6,500 meals might not need to be paid for.

Parks and Recreation Director Jackie Garcia said they were waiting on representatives from Meals on Wheels to clarify the numbers to make sure they were an “apples to apples” comparison. 

She said most of the contract amount is for staffing, with $5,000 earmarked for meals, adding the 3,427 figure is a congregant amount.

“That does not account for home delivery,” Garcia said. “It’s anyone picking up a meal on site.”

Garcia also said the program is currently running so no seniors are missing meals. Farmer moved to table the issue to an upcoming meeting in order to get greater clarity.

“If it doesn’t affect delivery, I support tabling,” Reed said in seconding the motion.

Council also received the June financial report from Treasurer Shaun Farrell. The city is in decent shape overall, with almost $130.40 million of its $170.35 million portfolio tied up in U.S. Government Obligations and Agencies.

The city’s investments continue to perform well, with interest earned in 2025-2026 coming to just over $5.93 million. Farrell said that sets a new record, breaking the previous mark of over $5.833 million set in 2024-2025.

“New record, $5.9 million, truly phenomenal,” he added.