On Sunday I went to my local farmers market.
When I say local, I mean local. I am fortunate to live within walking distance to one of the largest farmers markets in all of California, the land of grow-almost-anything. I am blessed to have such amazing produce within walking distance.
Here’s one small section of the market.
And here’s another section.
I didn’t even capture the fresh food vendors from tacos to locally roasted coffee beans to raw vegan food to green smoothie vendors. It just goes on and on. Next week.
There’s both fresh produce and fresh flowers for sale so it was extra fun making pictures.
I had a field day with my camera and here are some images I captured.
What cute little mango. And super sweet.
Locally bottled avocado oil
An orchid to beat all!
Dozens and dozens of varieties of tomato plants.
Get your fermentation on.
I have an easy recipe and method for fermented veggies on the countertop which I call Sweet and Sour Refrigerator Pickles
One of my favorite shots of the day
Another favorite set of images
Have you ever had squash blossoms? Many people fry them and they are almost a delicacy! Or here are 5 recipes using them.
These flowers were so beautiful in person. I could have taken pictures of them all day!
From my last post on the Barre3 DVD I reviewed, it was fun to hear what workouts you’ve been doing lately. And what workouts you’d like to try next.
And now I’m off to make some Cheater’s Guacamole with the locally grown avocados I have.
And I will wash it down with a Peach Banana Colada Smoothie that I’m going to add some fresh pineapple to!
Questions:
1. Do you have or go to a local farmers market in your area?
Yes, this one! I’ve posted about it in the past here, too.
And in San Diego, if I wanted to drive 20 minutes from me, there is a different market going on in different parts of town, almost every day of the week.
2. What are your favorite things to buy at the farmers market?
I love berries, tomatoes, greens, mangos, and pineapple from the market.
Well, there’s really not anything that I don’t like buying from the market. I have to watch myself so that my eyes aren’t bigger than what we can consume before it spoils because it all looks so good!
3. Do you think it saves you money to buy from the farmers market or not?
I will be honest, I don’t think it’s necessarily cheaper to shop at farmers markets. On some things, yes, it is clearly cheaper, i.e. a huge stalk of broccoli for $1 dollar.
But on other things, say Fuji apples, it’s more expensive for me to buy them at the farmers market than it is to buy organic Fuji apples in the regular grocery store, or at Whole Foods.
And it’s much more expensive to buy farmers market Fuji apples compared to conventional/non-organic regular-grocery-store Fuji apples.
I can also buy a bag of TJ’s organic salad mix for $1.99 which is about half the price of a comparable salad mix from the farmers market.
Also, blueberries are far cheaper at TJ’s. No, they’re not organic or local, but they’re cheaper.
However, there is more to life than money and this is true with food choices, too:
I realize that farming is expensive and supporting local farmers so they can continue to farm is wonderful.
Locally grown food usually tastes far better.
There are positive environmental and ecological impacts of eating locally and seasonally.
There is benefit to one’s body and health to eat locally and seasonally.
The variety and types of food I can eat in San Diego from the market blow grocery store selection away!
I remember those things when I notice things cost more at the farmers market. There’s a reason why.
Talk to me about your markets!
I’ve never shopped at a farmers market before, but I know of one that’s literally right down the street from my house. I just don’t want to go alone and none of my friends want to go with me bright and early to get the good produce lol. I hope to stop by one day non-alone and no longer be afraid and make it a routine lol! I mean $5 for that many blueberries?! I’m jealous.
The commenter below you feels it’s not a deal but very pricey.
Perspectives…so different, huh!
And go alone. I went alone to mine. And usually do. Sometimes it’s nice to just be alone…with the plants and food and center yourself. Food as yoga so to speak :)
haha yeah but it’s fresh and organic. Everything in Texas doesn’t taste as fresh because it’s shipped to us, you know? I bet Cali produce is so much better.
I’m just afraid to go places like that alone for the first time. It scares me haha! I’m afraid something bad is going to happen to me because I’m so tiny. I will go one day though and tell you how it is!
$5 a cup for blueberries!? Ouch! Our farmer’s market is definitely not less expensive than the supermarket but it is better– more fresh plus I like to support local growers. We use the farmer’s market near us for fresh eggs, goat cheese, jams, and some produce. Yours looks heavenly and much larger than the one by my house. Your photos are awesome.
I know, I think it’s very pricey, too.
The commenter below you feels it’s a deal.
Perspectives…so different, huh!
Wow, lucky! I’d go to that farmer’s market every day! It’s been awhile on squash blossoms, they look good.
1. Yes, but ours are only a few times a week and not near by.
2. Watermelons and huge zucchinis for spiralizing.
3. Not really, but the veggies are fresher and better tasting I think not being chilled or stored.
Your pictures are just gorgeous. I will get there one day, still working on it :)
i’m so sad my life is too bonkers right now to do a proper farmers market trip. not enough meals at home!!!
I loveloveLOVE Farmers Markets! I’m jealous of yours – we have a few around here, one that I go to most often, but they’re small. I used to live just a block or so away from one, but now I drive about 15 mins to get there. Of course I usually get produce (got fresh spinach from the last one – never had that before!), especially strawberries if I can find them – why are they so much better than they are at the store anyway? ;) But I also love the different breads and jams…and Alex picked up some black bean/jalapeno hummus that he loves! I keep wanting to pick up the maple syrup, but it’s so expensive. As far as saving money – no, it’s slightly more expensive. But if it tastes better and supports the little local guys around here, I’m okay with the extra few cents.
Great pix by the way! I love how colorful and lively everything seems!
I love the colors in a farmer’s market! So beautiful. I need to get to one. It’s been too long! I hope you’re having a great week Averie!
Totally jealous of that HUGE farmer’s market! :) It is awesome.
I have a lot of squash blossoms going on in my garden right now!
LOVE the pictures, wow! We have a local market but I havent made it there yet…I’ve been so busy that a quick trip to Trader Joes is all I can manage!
Brooke Annessa
http://www.theannessafamily.blogspot.com
oh – and as for cost? wayyyy more expensive for me to buy at the market :[ It seems some people always mention getting great deals but I’ve yet to see anything like it at ours!
I think the ppl who say they’re getting great deals are used to WF’s produce pricing…not TJ’s pricing…lol.
Which is why they think the market is a dealfest.
It’s fun…but it’s not full of “deals” :)
wow; you really are blessed to have such a wonderful market within walking distance! our “good” market is almost an hour away and i usually don’t bother going unless i need to go into town anyway, or haven’t been in a while. i’d love to go more often but it being so far out makes it almost an all-morning occasion on a weekend when I need to get other stuff done, too! But I’ll quite whining, because your gorgeous pictures make me feel as if I’m there :) I seriously adore the shots of the carrots and beets…and the irony in the strawberries with the blueberry sign :P
wonderful photos!
waterloo region is known for our farmers markets. one of my favourite dad + me outings is to go the market on a thursday morning. it’s a perfect resource for local produce + fruit – my usual purchases. and i DO save money – have done a comparison. and it’s great to buy direct from the grower.
envious of that sunshine!
So jealous of California produce! Beautiful! :D
I generally think the farmers markets in VA and DC that I go to are MORE expensive than the regular grocery store. Asparagus is usually a dollar or two more, greens are more expensive, eggs cost more, etc. That whole saving money by shopping local thing may apply for some things, but I really don’t see it much!
Now i’m regretting NOT going to the farmer’s market on Saturday…jealous of yours!!
I LOVE the farmers market!!! I am a vendor myself, so now I appreciate it so much more! Good for you for supporting local businesses! :)
Whitney
There is simply nothing better than visiting the farmers market at peak season. It’s like a candy store! :) My favorite thing to buy is local fresh picked strawberries. I just got some this weekend that were still warm! Love that!