Let's Celebrate!

It's National Farmers Market Week!

Straight from the USDA's website:

"Farmers markets are an integral part of the urban/farm linkage and have continued to rise in popularity, mostly due to the growing consumer interest in obtaining fresh products directly from the farm. Farmers markets allow consumers to have access to locally grown, farm fresh produce, enables farmers the opportunity to develop a personal relationship with their customers, and cultivate consumer loyalty with the farmers who grows the produce. Direct marketing of farm products through farmers markets continues to be an important sales outlet for agricultural producers nationwide. As of mid-2009, there were 5,274 farmers markets operating throughout the U.S."

 

Many vendors will be making special offers this week.  The olive oil booth I run is giving free jute market bags with any purchase.  Show your support and shop at a local market.

Market Review: Manhattan Beach

I went to check out the Manhattan Beach Farmer's Market.  It's every Tuesday, 11-5.

 It's a lovely little market in a nice location.  

It's a few blocks from the beach and parking it tough/metered.  This is definitely a hang out for young families.  I think I counted 37 strollers.  There is live music and a little train ride for kids. Super cute.

 It's a barket basics of local produce.  Probably half the market is agricultural, the other half varies from breads, olive oils, hummus and great looking fresh seafood. 

There was an amazing booth of Afghan flat breads and dips.

There were also prepared food booths for on the spot snacking including crepes and pupusas.

25-30 booths on a good day.  The website has more listed than I saw set up.

Berries from Santiago Farms.

Lemons and other citrus from Atkins Farms.

Dried fruit, nuts and beans from MB Farms out of Fresno.

And I scored this snappy little button!

If you find yourself bored on a Tuesday, worth it.  

Calling in sick to go, maybe, maybe not. I guess that depends on the job.  

The sunshine was nice though!