To Market, To Market
May 4, 2017 § Leave a comment
Weather-wise, things have been just a bit too Seattlesque for my taste this spring. Now that we’ve (hopefully) seen an end to the seemingly endless rainy, grey days, it’s time to get outside and enjoy our fine Bay Area weather.
May is one of my favorite months in the 650, not only because our usually fine weather settles in and days are longer and sunnier — but also because all of our neighborhood farmers’ markets are back in full swing. While we don’t lack for year-round markets in the 650, some neighborhood markets, such as Los Altos, Palo Alto Downtown, and Half Moon Bay close during fall and winter. For those of you who might have been missing your local market, the wait is over!
Here’s the list of markets re-opening in May.
| Market | Opening Date | Market Day |
|---|---|---|
| Half Moon Bay | May 6, 2017 | Saturdays |
| Los Altos, Downtown | May 4, 2017 | Thursdays |
| Palo Alto, Downtown | May 13, 2017 | Saturdays |
| Pacifica, Rockaway Beach | May 3, 2017 | Wednesdays |
| San Mateo, W. 25th Avenue | May 2, 2017 | Tuesdays |
| South San Francisco | May 6, 2017 | Saturdays |
April and May are a transitional time at the market as we’re seeing the last of “winter” produce, such as root vegetables and citrus, and the arrival of beans, peas, and stone fruit.
What’s in the market now: Palo Alto California Avenue market, Spring 2017
If grocery shopping isn’t on your agenda, farmers’ markets are a fun place to grab a meal and enjoy the sunshine while people watching. Just a few examples from my recent visit to the Palo Alto Sunday market on California Avenue: dim sum, grilled meat sandwiches, bahn mi, sushi, and homestyle Mexican dishes with handmade tortillas. There’s something interesting to taste whatever your food preferences.
Dim Sum on a sunny Sunday
Because: meat
Fresh masa for handmade tortillas
Need to know which market is when? Following is handy-dandy list of all farmers’ markets in the 650, with 2017 opening dates. Click the market link for more info, such as location, parking, and vendors.
| City/Market | Market Day(s) | Open |
|---|---|---|
| Belmont | Sunday, 9am – 1pm | Year-Round |
| Daly City, Serramonte Ctr. | Thursday & Sunday, 9am – 1pm |
Year-Round |
| Half Moon Bay, Shoreline Station | Saturday, 9am – 1pm | May 6 – Dec 21 |
| Los Altos, Downtown | Thursday, 4 – 8pm | May 4 – Sep 30 |
| Menlo Park | Sunday, 9am – 1pm | Year-Round |
| Millbrae | Saturday, 8am – 1pm | Year-Round |
| Mountain View | Sunday, 9am – 1pm | Year-Round |
| Pacifica, Rockaway Beach | Saturday, 9am – 1pm | May 6 – Dec 21 |
| Palo Alto, California Ave. | Sunday, 9am – 1pm | Year-Round |
| Palo Alto, Downtown | Saturday, 9am – 1pm | May 13 – |
| Palo Alto, VA | Wednesday, 10am – 2pm | Apr 12 – Oct 25 |
| Redwood City, Kaiser | Wednesday, 10am – 2pm | Apr 5 – Nov 22 |
| Redwood City, Downtown | Saturday, 8am – 12pm | April 15 – Nov |
| San Carlos, Laurel Street | Sunday, 10am – 2pm | Year-Round |
| San Mateo, College of SM | Saturday, 9am – 1pm | Year-Round |
| San Mateo, W. 25th Ave. | Tuesday, 4 – 7:30pm | May 2 – Oct 10 |
Now get out and support your local food system; meet the people who grow your food and nourish our communities!
Tell me: what is/are your favorite farmers’ market(s) in the 650?
Shop Local: San Mateo Farmers’ Market
March 22, 2014 § Leave a comment
This first Saturday of spring brought a perfect morning for visiting the College of San Mateo (CSM) Farmers’ Market: sunny, clear blue skies, and just a touch of coolness in the air that you know will make way for a pleasantly warm day later. Bliss!
Doesn’t get more local than this: kale from Pescadero, CA
This kind of day is one of the reasons I’m happy and grateful to live in the Bay Area. Spring arrives, well, pretty much on time, and with it the bounty and beauty of spring produce. Strawberries and spring greens and handfuls of fresh herbs — oh my!
The farmers’ market at CSM is one of the largest on the Peninsula and includes not only small-farm produce, but small/artisan food producers as well. While you’ll find a nice assortment of bakers, confectioners, and makers of small-batch pickles (oh, and Curry Up Now’s food truck!), seasonal fruits and vegetables are the draw. What I particularly love about this market is that some of San Mateo county’s best small farms — and, in particular, organic farms — are represented here. There’s no better opportunity to invest in your local food system than by connecting directly with the people who grow your food.
Below is a quick roundup of what I saw at the market today. Do you have a favorite market in your town? What are you buying? Better yet: what are you making with your market finds?
Fresh Herbs
Cilantro, flat-leaf parsley, thyme, and chives were available from most organic farmstands. I took home large bunches of parsley, thyme, and chives. Can’t wait to use them in salads and as a garnish for grilled fish.
Strawberries
Bright red strawberries are in abundance, and they just about glow in the sunlight! They’re not as sweet as mid-summer berries, but for early season berries, they’re definitely flavorful. Much better than what you’ll find in the local grocery store.
Bright red strawberries, freshly picked
Root Vegetables and Brassicas
Carrots, beets (reds and goldens), radishes, broccoli, kale. Yes, kale is everywhere: curly kale, dino kale, red kale. No shortage of kale this morning.
Add some color to your diet — there are so many options!
Spring Greens
Colorful chard, dandelion greens, salad mixes with flowers, Little Gems, and stinging nettles. Salad for everybody! Want more information about the variety of spring greens available? Check out CUESA’s guide to greens.
Greens for making colorful salads and for braising
Spring Flowers
Colorful assortments from Half Moon Bay, Pescadero, and Watsonville: freesias, tulips, ranunculus, irises.
Fresh spring flowers, grown locally
Details
What: San Mateo Farmers’ Market
Where: College of San Mateo
Directions: Visit the Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market Association site
Saturdays, year-round: 9am-1pm
*Tip: If you’re driving west on Hilldale Boulevard, keep going past College Heights Drive, which is the first entrance to the College of San Mateo (CSM). You’ll want to take the next right onto Perimeter Road. You’ll see the tents for the market in the parking lot to your left.
