certified farmers market
Epicurean,  Podcast

Certified Farmer’s Markets

A trip to a farmers market is as timeless as a trip to the grocery store. Whether you are on a side street in Europe, picking out of the back end of a pickup truck, or nestled under a colorful canopy or umbrella, you have many options and choices of the best products available. Most items, fruits, and vegetables are picked the same day or the day before for peak ripeness and the best quality. Markets also carry products made by artisanal makers like honey, jams, spice blends, and teas using products they purchase from their fellow market vendors.

Episode #30

of Provisions & Libations, Podcast visits the ins and outs of producing a farmers market in Old Orcutt, California. A market that took nearly fifteen years to create, according to co-founder and co-creator Marie Thompson. On the market day, she arrives at noon and stays on site until nine or later, depending on the traffic and business. Halfway through their second season of the farmer’s market, they plan for fifteen hundred people to walk through and purchase goods from the vendors—their vendors sell fruit, vegetables, fish, honey, eggs, olives, coffee, chocolates, baked goods, and freshly picked flowers. Join Marie and the co-founders on the third Wednesday of the month from 4:30 pm-7:30 pm, June through October, on Markum Street in Old Town Orcutt.

Certified Farmer’s Markets in Cambria and Cayucos

In researching today’s podcast, I visited two well-known and loved markets along the coast in Cambria and Cayucos. I came upon the most beautiful mushrooms, smallest artichokes, and largest Brussels sprouts I have ever seen. I also saw stunning floral designs, crunchy grapes, mardi gras colored peppers, quail eggs, cucumbers, and other wild and amazing fruits and vegetables. I spoke to Mt Olive Organic Farm in Paso Robles, CA, and Valencia Farms in Tulare, CA. About their quality unique products.

https://www.mtolivefarm.com

https://marketspread.com/vendor/9155/valencia-farms/

I also stopped by Old Orcutt Farmer’s Market to purchase some great items and spoke to people I had not seen in a while, which led to great conversations, many laughs, and wine at a local winery down the street. Hometown markets are the best, in my opinion. Or, maybe the people you go with to the market make it the best.

Photos from Old Orcutt’s Farmers Market Vendors

Photos from the Cambria market. Check out those mushrooms!

Other well-known markets with mass popularity for their quality vendors and amazing weather, too.

https://theboisefarmersmarket.com

https://downtownslo.com/farmers-market

https://chicofarmersmarket.com

For a comprehensive list of all markets, view this link.

So the question remains, are you hungry yet? What are you making tonight for dinner with the great finds found at your local certified farmers market?

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