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!
The farmer’s market in your city is so amazing compared to our tiny little one in my city!
I usually just buy some tomatoes, and one or two other random things.
Your farmer’s market is amazing. Talk about variety!
We a few local farmer’s markets, but I haven’t been since we opened the paintball field. Maybe when I get a free Saturday that will change.
I am sooo jealous of your farmer’s market! What an awesome selection!
I BOUGHT those orange and purple sunflowers at the Hillcrest farmers market on Sunday! Those may very well be the ACTUAL sunflowers I have in my kitchen right now, how cool is that?!
That is such an ironic twist….WOW!!! Thank you for telling me!!!!!!! I was there at about 1:30p and took the picture then, so if that gives you any timeline if they are the actual flowers you have or not, there ya go. What a small, crazy world, huh :)
“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!” <- I TOTALLY feel ya there!
Wow Averie, you have an incredible farmer's market! We have one in my town, it's a bit on the small size but just last weekend, they had the biggest turn out with vendors and shoppers both! I have a "greens guy" (I really need to ask him his name…right now, he's the guy in the reflective sunglasses! Haha!) that I get turnip greens, mustard greens, or last week, he brought some kale especially for me! Yay! There is also a vendor that home-brews a great selection of teas that are unsweetened or sweetened with natural fruits like mangoes. They are delicious! I get a cup every week!
Like you, I don't necessarily purchase things from the farmer's market because of the deal. Sometimes it's a great deal (like a huge thing of kale for 2 bucks!) but other times, it just feels good to support my local farmers…and the taste can't be beat!
You’ve got a beautiful market! It makes me want to go to California so badly.
I went to my market yesterday and it made me so, so happy. Fresh food! People EXCITED about fresh food. Happy me.
Beautiful photos Averie!!
I wish we had farmers markeds in Norway, but for some silly reason we dont :( It looks so great to walk around and pick up fresh and local produce!
MMM mangoes!!! Holey moley I have been eating those so often lately. i wouldn’t be surprised if i gained a pound or two off of those because i’ve been eating so many haha!
Oh that avocado looked delish–perfect and creamy!
I love going to the farmer’s market, but often, I think I spend about the same amount of money (or maybe MORE) than if I just went to the grocery store. But then it wouldn’t have been local (probably) or organic. So….always advantages and disadvantages, but I do love the market and all the energy there!
My favorite FM :) I haven’t been there since I worked there but I really need to go back! Everything looks so fresh and yummy.
I absolutely love the farmer’s market near us in Wayne, PA. Many vendors come from Lancaster County, meaning they must have to wake up super early. We don’t go there as often as we used to, but they make donuts that are to die for! I recently returned from Seattle where we visited Pike Place market (similar to Philly’s Reading Terminal but also outside) and I swear we counted 12 amazing produce stands within a four-block radius :) They had every type of fruit and vegetable imaginable!
great shots, Averie! I love the olive oil shot with the leafy behind it… :) and those tomatoes!
we have SO many farmers markets in Portland this time of year, really awesome ones like this. I need to bring my camera next time!
Your pictures are stunning!!!!!!!!!!! I bet Cali has the best farmer’s markets around!
thanks!