Okay, so it’s not ON the freeway, it’s UNDER, but it’s pretty close.
I had an excellent Sunday and I hope y’all did too! The morning began with my first trip to the Sacramento Farmers’ Market, which convenes, as you may have guessed, in a parking lot under the freeway in Downtown (at 8th and W/X streets). Being the dead of winter and approximately 38 degrees when I left the house this morning, I was expecting a few sad tables of some turnips and onions and a few well-intentioned shoppers shivering. I was blown away by the variety of produce and other natural products, and the sheer number of people who were shopping alongside me. And by the time I left, I could barely hold the bag, it was so weighed down with deliciousness.
Probably the best part were all the free samples. (Isn’t that why we all go to Costco?) I always feel a little bit guilty taking free samples of products I’m pretty positive I’m not going to buy, but I try to look at it as their opportunity to convince me. (Very often, it works.)
It was cold, but people were in high spirits–especially me. There’s this sense of “selfish altruism” where people at farmers’ markets seem to be feeling good about themselves because they know they’re doing something good (supporting local farmers, lessening their environmental impact, buying organic, getting produce from neighbors instead of from The Man, etc.) so there always seems to be a happy and optimistic vibe. I love it. Instead of excessive packaging and plastic bags, everyone brings their own baskets, bags, bikes and sometimes even the kids.
All the products sold at these markets go directly from producer to consumer. This means that not only are we getting stuff cheaper by eliminating the middleman and the crazy shipping and delivery costs, but it also dramatically lessens the environmental impact of shipping and delivering produce to the grocery store and across the country.
It reminded me a LOT of going to the market in Africa–bringing our own bags, needing to use small change, buying from a variety of different vendors instead of one store–it did make me reminisce a little bit, but I have to say I preferred this experience as the variety was bomb and people spoke my language. (Really tends to make everything easier.)
In addition to the fresh and variegated produce, there were also several local butchers selling grass-fed and organic beef and poultry, as well as some seafood–even live fish!
There were several local honey producers, and some offered a variety of flavored honey such as wildflower and orange blossom, among others. (Sage, alfalfa, or buckwheat honey, anyone?)
A bunch of fresh and healthy breads were available from local bakers and then I finally found what I was looking for: the baked goods. (I feel like I have a sixth sense that can zone in from miles away on any yummy bites of flavor made of flour, sugar and fat).
(My day-old, half-price, still-moist blueberry scone did not make it out of the market. Not even close.)
Eggs. Wines. Olive oil. Nuts. Plants (including grapefruit trees). You could really handle a TON of your shopping here–convenience of it all being in the same place, with the personal touch of buying directly from the growers.
In the end, we walked away with this amazing loot:
MY FIRST ALMOND BUTTER!!! Yes, a food blogger who has never had almond butter before. But that all changed today. (And this jar was homemade and $4 instead of the $11 to $19 that I’ve seen it selling for in the stores.) Also, pomegranate jam, honey sticks, eggs, two sweet potatoes, kiwis ($1.50 for the bag!), local and fresh dates, oranges, strawberries, mushrooms, eggs and the most delicious olive oil ever.
This is the sweet potato I picked. Does anyone have an affinity for strange looking fruits and vegetables? I think I subconsciously feel bad for them and want to buy them so they don’t just sit there.
I’m definitely going to make a commitment to shop here periodically. They have great produce, even greater prices, and I really want to support the local growers. For anyone in the Sacramento area, the market is from 8am-noon on Sundays. Apparently it’s amazing in the summer and I can’t wait to check it out.
I wanted to make the sweet potato with baked beans (a la Healthy Tipping Point) for the first time for lunch, but after the scone and tastes of just about everything at the market I just made a protein shake before my 8.5 mile training run. Two weeks of marathon training down! More on that later.
Farmers Market, great run, post-run hot tub with a beer (quickly becoming a tradition), watching the Steelers win (WOOHOO!), and now watching The Other Guys for the second time… good day.
Hopev everyone had a great day!
How was your weekend? Do you have a farmers market in your area? What kind of cool stuff can you get locally?
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I love farmers’ markets! I belong to a CSA program and love getting fresh produce every week straight from the farmers. Being in Calirfornia makes it so easy to eat locally all year round.
Wow – you have access to a purely AMAZING farmer’s market! I am so jealous. While I’m grateful to have access to any farmer’s market in the winter months – ours are realllly slim pickings this time of year, and even in summer we don’t have as vast an array of choices as you. What a bargain on that almond butter!
My son always picks the weird shaped potatoes when he shops with me!
I can’t wait for the weather to get nicer so we can have the farmers markets again…..
POm jam? now that’s something I’d be intereted in trying! have fun with the almond butter!
,… “post run hot tub with a beer” haha that kind of made my day! 
P.S. Rashard Mendenhall from the steelers was a senior at my high school when I was a freshman!
talked to him several times what a phenom athlete!
Wow – that’s one heck of a farmer’s market! We sadly don’t have a good one near us, so I do all of my produce shopping at the regular store. Our county did just start a CSA program this fall though – something we want to get in on when we have the money (you have to pre pay for the whole season).
I tried my sisters Almond Butter once. I’m not sure my thoughts… I’m going to try it again someday, but I think I’ll always be a peanut butter lover at heart.
So I pretty much think that is the epitome of all farmer’s markets. Sad thing about Minneapolis is that we only have markets from May-October
Otherwise its WAY too cold. Your posts make me want to move to Cal…1 more year of college then…MANIFEST DESTINY!
Boulder has an AMAZING farmer’s market, but it doesn’t start up again till March. Till then, I’ll just have to live vicariously through you and your farmer’s market adventures.
I’m a wee bit jealous. Enjoy your almond butter…it’s glorious! If you ever get the chance, run and pick up Justin’s Maple almond butter from your local Whole Foods. It will make you weep with happiness! It’s just that good….
free samples- yes please! your market is amazing looking; those eggs are incredible! the only local thing I’ve really seen at my whole foods is a salsa ringing up about $6 a jar. I need to work on that…
haha on the freeway
actually its quite true, and some of the best farmers markets are on/just off the freeway! geez id totally buy a lot of the stuff there. the brussel sprouts and the sweet potatoes look really fresh and healthy. id also pick up a scone (pretend they are gluten-free of course). my mom would kill for one of those cinnamon buns- its her fav treat- and they look soft too 
xoxo
I can’t tell you how jealous I am of that farmers’ market! Right now in Michigan, it is the dead of winter and there isn’t anything really growing. I think I need to move to Cali!
You should look into it.
I love farmer’s markets! I’m insanely jealous that you can go to one in the winter! I won’t be able to go to one until at least May!
I love Sac
and I love Costco and free stuff haha. So you’re not alone. I recently had almond butter my first time. And guess what?! I really don’t like it…. but I love PB. I think I should test out other kind of nut butters to see what’s out there and what else I might like!
Me too, girl. I love the PB and I’m not giving it up. I’ll at least give the full jar of AB a try first.
But it’s just not the same…
ummm i have the same affinity for weird looking fruits/veggies. i make banana families at the grocery store (pick the single ones)… its so silly but i feel sad for the lonely bananas!