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Getting to Know Your Local Markets

A great benefit to living in Southern California is all the fresh produce readily available at the multiple farmers’ markets around the Los Angeles area. Farmers come from all over Southern California, often driving up to 5 hours in the wee hours of the morning to vend their delicious crops. Pluses to shopping at local farmers’ markets include saving money and building individual relationships with farmers and the community. Never mind the fact that local organic food just seems to taste better.

This survivor tries to make the weekly Santa Monica Wednesday Farmers’ Market a ritual. This is one of the best markets as evidenced by the two streets it takes up and all the chefs from L.A.’s finest restaurants walking around, picking up their orders. It is always great to take a walk around the market first before purchasing anything; this way you can familiarize yourself with the produce and what is available. This week for example, apricots taste like candy, avocados were smooth and creamy and Maggie’s Farms always has great lettuce and herbs. In the hotter months, I try to hit the market earlier in the morning, as flowers and lettuce tend to wilt more after being in the hot sun.

Another great market to hit up for prepared foods and social entertainment is the Sunday Farmers’ Market located on Main Street in Santa Monica. For this  market, I recommend bringing a friend or two and looking good in some trendy threads. There are hotties galore. The market is less about the produce and more about social interaction. Although you can still pick up some strawberries, an amazing fresh pesto sauce that makes instant meals and baked goods (if you are not a carb-a-phobe). There is a live band that plays every week and pony rides for the kids. Groundwork’s has a booth with fresh organic coffee. The market has become so busy that now they offer shuttle rides to parking lots on the beach. They also offer valet parking for bikes and a regular homeless gent offers dog watching.

There’s also a Sunday Farmer’s Market in Brentwood which boasts some of the finest produce, flowers and more.  It is located at 741 Gretna Green Way off of San Vicente in Brentwood.

Other markets are popping up everywhere. For certified markets, one can find them on the following website .  Cute neighborhood markets like the Culver City market on Tuesday afternoon offer one block of prepared foods, crafts, unique soaps and fresh produce. Smaller markets offer a window into one’s own neighborhood and will keep your refrigerator well stocked without being overwhelmed by too many choices.

Los Angeles is a great place to be or become a foodie. Eating fresh local produce is good for your tummy and not bad for your carbon foot print. Plus, there is something so festive about buying food outdoors in the sunlight from local growers. Until next time.. Bon Appetit! – Annie Kotok

This entry was posted on Monday, July 19th, 2010 at 10:30 pm and is filed under Life in the City. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.