Farmers' Markets in the U.S. & around the world

Albuquerque produce
My favorite place to shop for good produce in Albuquerque is the Sunflower market, which specializes in organic products. It's not a farmer's market, but it has excellent local produce and imports from other states. It is superior to the produce found in supermarkets.

Local produce variety in New Mexico is not great as in California because it is gown in a more difficult climate and altitude. It can't be beaten for many of it's local products, such as it's chili varieties. One farmer is growing some of the best melons I've ever tasted.

As Alburquerque's populations growns, New Mexico's farmers are responding by expanding the variety of their crops.

BBB

Berkeley Thursday Farmers' Market
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
Berkeley Thursday Farmers' Market

In a city where we have one of the world's renowned farmers' markets, it is easy to overlook neighborhood markets. But the truth is that often we don't have the time or the will to elbow through the crowds at the Ferry Building. On the weeks when you'd like to avoid the weekend farmers' market crush, or you'd simply like some drama-free shopping at markets that will provide you with many of your necessities, consider one of the Bay Area's neighborhood markets.

Whenever I attend the North Berkeley Farmers' Market, it is a happy experience. Part of this has to do with the fact that if I can get to this market, I am having a pretty manageable work day, but also this is generally a very calm, relaxing market. You can find the market in one row in front of the Longs' Drugstore at the North end of Shattuck street, about a block from Chez Panisse and Gourmet Ghetto (I have always thought that the fruits and veggies at this market are a little more dressed up because of the possibility that Alice may come by). The market is divided by a small green strip that adds to the community aspect of the market -- people gather and snack, kids run around, and massages are offered.

This market is referred to as "all organic" -- all of the vendors at this market are either certified organic or hold to organic pratices. This is not much different than the other Berkeley markets, which are about 80% certified organic, but it's interesting to note.

You could easily do all of your week's shopping at this market. With the exception of cheese, all major food products are covered: vegetables, fruits, meats, eggs, tofu products, and breads.

You can visit the North Berkeley Farmers' Market on Thursdays from 3 pm to 7 pm. It is located at Shattuck Avenue @ Rose Street in Berkeley. You can park in the neighborhoods near the market. This is a year round, rain or shine market.

Happy Boy Farms (Freedom). Greens, corn, melon, tomatoes.
Hudson Fish Company (Berkeley). Fish.
Highland Hills Farm (Vallejo). Grass-finished beef, lamb, eggs, pork.
Kashiwase Farm (Winton). Stone fruit.
Catalan Farm (Hollister). Veggies, tomatoes, squash, herbs, strawberries.
Quetzal Farm (Santa Rosa). Veggies, peppers, flowers.
Bernie's Best (Yorkville). Apple cider.
Flying Disc Ranch (Thermal). Dates.
Blue Heron Farm (Corralitos). Flowers, vegetables.
Vital Vittles (Berkeley). Bread.
Morell's Bread (Sausalito).
Hodo Soy Beanery (Bay Area). Tofu products.
Phoenix Pastificio (Berkeley). Pasta, bread, cookies.
October Feast (Larkspur). Bread.
Flaco's (Berkeley). Prepared vegan Mexican food.
Tip Top Produce (Vacaville). Vegetables.
Lucero Organic (Lodi). Strawberries, tomatoes, squash.
Frog Hollow Farm (Brentwood). Stone fruit, jams, popsicles, pastries.
Riverdog Farm (Yolo County). Vegetables, fruit.
Organic Tummies (San Rafael). Homemade baby food.

More Berkeley farmers market activities
More Berkeley farmers market activities that make it special:

Berkeley Farmers' Market 2007 Events Calendar
Date(s): 7/14/2007 - 12/25/2007
Times: 12:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Cost: See Description
Contact: Berkeley Farmers Market
Telephone: (510) 548-3333
Sponsor: Ecology Center
Location: Center and MLK
Website: http://www.ecologycenter.org/farmers_mrkts/farmers_mrkts.html

Berkeley Farmers' Market 2007 Events Calendar
Celebrating 20 years of the Ecology Center's Berkeley Farmers' Markets.

Peach Tasting - Sat., July 14. An opportunity to sample, for free, all at one table, the whole sumptuous range of peach varieties at the Saturday Berkeley Farmers' Market. Plus a comprehensive sampling of other stone fruits that are in season: nectarines, plums, pluots, and apricots.

The Pit Stop: Peaches & Barbecue* - Tues., July 17. (B-Tech Academy courtyard)
Highland Hills Farm meats and Fatted Calf Charcuterie sausage prepared by Cheif Cookie of Sweetie Pie & Poppy's (restaurant) and Berkeley Youth Alternatives.
Tempeh and peaches grilled by Chef Bryant Terry.
Peach cobbler by Frog Hollow Farm served with organic ice cream by Three Twins Ice Cream.
Free live music by Lili DuBois, Lindell Reeves, and This Old Band.
Book signing with the authors of GRUB: Ideas for an Urban Organic Kitchen
featuring essays by Anna Lappé and menus, musical playlists, and
cooking tips from chef Bryant Terry.Co-sponsored by the South Berkeley YMCA.

Watershed Environmental Poetry Festival - Sat., August 18. Hosted by Robert Hass (US Poet
Laureate 1995-97). Co-produced by the Ecology Center/Berkeley Farmers' Market, Poetry Flash, & Ecocity Builders.

Jazzy Tomatoes* - Sat., August 25. Downtown Berkeley Jazz Festival Concert (1:00 pm-2:30 pm)
featuring Mike Marshall with Brazilian pianist Jovino Santos Neto.
Delish Tomato Dishes (served noon-3pm) by Venus Restaurant & Amy Murray, Chef,
Owner, & creator of 'organic, inspired, seasonal cuisine'. In Civic Center Park.

Tomato Tasting - Tues., August 28

String Band Contest - Sat., Sept. 15. A part of the Berkeley Old Time Music Convention.

Indigenous People's Day-Pow Wow & Indian Market-Sat. Oct. 6

Spice of Life Festival, North Berkeley's Gourmet Ghetto, Sun. Oct. 14 - 10am-6pm (Thurs.BFM site).

Fall Fruit Tasting - Sat., Oct. 27.

Fall Fruit 'n' Fright* - Tues., Oct. 30. Pumpkin Carving Contest, Day of the Dead festivities,
and Fall fruit pies by Mission Pies.

20th Anniversary Dinner* - Saturday, November 3rd. Celebrate 20 years of the Ecology Center"s Berkeley Farmers" Markets with Michael Pollan and Alice Waters and a great meal.

Holiday Crafts Fair - Saturdays, Dec. 8, 15, 22 with continuous live music.

*One of five special 20th Anniversary events.

Events in bold are directly sponsored by the Berkeley Farmers' Market
All Tuesday events: Derby St. at MLK, Jr. Way-hours 2pm-7pm (unless noted).

All Thursday events: Shattuck Ave. at Rose St.-hours 3pm-7pm (unless noted).

All Saturday events: Center St. at MLK, Jr. Way-hours 10am-3pm (unless noted).

All events are admission free and wheel chair accessible; many are supported by the City of Berkeley Civic Arts Program.

And one more event:

http://www.berkeleyoldtimemusic.org/schedulecontest.html