Farmers markets and roadside fruit stands give you access to the freshest, local ingredients. I love seeing the variety of items that the vendors bring and often make up my recipes based on what is available that day.
CALIFORNIA FARMERS MARKETS
La Jolla (San Diego area, CA): My favorite farmers market in all of California. Everyone should use their Sunday to walk aisles of local vendor stalls. It’s a great start to a day and then head to a nearby beach for a picnic lunch.
Santa Monica (Santa Monica, CA): This January, I headed to LA to check out the local flavors. Saturday meant the beach and the Farmers Market on the 3rd Street Promenade. The market has vendors selling everything from citrus to vegetable starts for your garden. I was most impressed with the organic artichokes. Something I don’t see at my local markets!
OREGON FARMERS MARKETS
Portland State University (Portland, OR): This market is well-organized and features fresh seafood from the coast and fruits and vegetables from the Willamette valley.
Bend (Bend, OR): Wednesday afternoons means picking up meat from local ranches.
Central Oregon has some of the best proteins in the country. My favorite is North 44, which raises both grass-fed lamb and beef. Can’t make it to the Bend market? Check out their website for home delivery options. (Also, their Instagram is pretty darn amazing too!)
Sisters (Sisters, OR): This market is small. However, if you find yourself in the quaint town of Sisters on a Sunday afternoon, the live music and bounty of fresh summer Oregon berries makes this market well worth a visit.
TEXAS FARMERS MARKETS
Dallas (Dallas, TX): This urban market is spread over several blocks in downtown Dallas. Wander the aisles to find a wonderful selection of fresh produce, vegetable starts, and fresh flowers for your garden. Open both Saturday and Sunday.
WASHINGTON FARMERS MARKETS AND FRUIT STANDS
Pike Place (Seattle, WA): Pike Place is a Seattle institution. Crafts, flowers, fresh produce, and of course… flying fish.
While there, check out Jack’s Fish Spot. As well as a great spot to purchase seafood for cooking yourself, they also have a lunch counter, and at age 7, the place my Grandmother introduced me to steamed clams.
Prey’s Fruit Barn (Leavenworth, WA): The charming town of Leavenworth, WA not only transports you to a Bavarian village but also offers some of the freshest local apples, cherries, and pears. On the east side of town, check out Prey’s Fruit Barns which has offered the best fruits in town for over 40 years.
