Farmers’ Markets

I love going to the Farmers’ Market in Montclair after church on Sunday in search of good food and culinary treasures. What a treat to purchase the week’s fruits, vegetables, bread, cheese, eggs, meat, and seafood directly from a local grower or producer, or street food right from the vendor. This is the idea behind year-round or seasonal farmers markets in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Farmers' Market in Montclair Village - a great place to shop

The produce is freshly picked, in season, and full of flavor. Small growers may offer heirloom or special varieties, which big producers cannot grow and distribute. Purchasing directly from the producer and mingling with your neighbors creates a sense of community and relationship. Buying locally also reduces fuel consumption to get product to market. The markets are typically on the weekend, but some are offered during the week.

The Montclair market is part of the Urban Village Farmers’ Market Association (to find a market near you: http://www.urbanvillageonline.com/). But they are just one of many such associations. The Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market Association manages the Sunday market at Jack London Square (http://www.jacklondonsquare.com/events/farmersmarket.html); some Kaiser Medical Centers host markets on site (https://members.kaiserpermanente.org/redirects/farmersmarkets/in-northern-california.htm); and many San Francisco Bay Area cities and towns offer markets (check the Internet for what’s available in your town). One of my favorite markets is the San Francisco Ferry Building Marketplace for its cut flowers and produce (http://www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com/farmers_market.php).