Reminiscent of the bazaar in “Aladdin,” a farmers’ market is an engaging outdoor activity that’s enhanced by a sunny day and is ideal for those looking to buy superb quality produce.

Farmers’ markets support California’s economy and the grown fresh fruits and vegetables being sold are well worth waking up early for. I am always uncertain what I’ll encounter next, anticipating surprise as I walk from tent to tent, intrigued by the gluten-free walnut bread or vegan roasted asparagus salted chips, specialty jams or new types of hybrid fruit being sold I would never have expected to experience.

I love indulging in my sweet tooth with fruit and I look forward to the free samples available to try at each tent, but my absolute favorite part about attending a farmers’ market is interacting with enthusiastic farmers who are eager to share knowledge about produce and bargains with customers.

Buying fruit from the grocery store may be convenient, but the quality of produce at farmers’ markets tends to be fresher. Locally grown fruit can be sold faster and does not have to travel as far as the fruit sold in stores therefore usually leaving less of a carbon footprint by not using as much gas for transportation.

“We don’t pick our apples until right before we sell them and that’s the secret to our apples’ crisp sweetness that customers love,” said Patrick’s Mountain Grown’s Laurelle Pankey.

After experiencing the intense luscious sweetness of the apple Pankey handed me, I both tasted and understood why customers were lining up at her tent.

Pesticide use tends to be practiced by grocery store produce suppliers because crops are grown on a much larger scale and distributed further away from the land they were grown on.

“People love our fresh produce that uses no pesticides,” said Twin Peaks Orchards’ Magda Morgan.

Scott Shacklett, a man who was selling tomatoes, was disappointed in the quality of tomatoes being sold at grocery stores and decided to franchise tomato production 21 years ago.

Shacklett uses the organic pesticide neem oil, which makes the tomatoes feel sticky, but aides in maintaining a juicy sublime taste.

“Neem oil suppresses the bug’s appetite when it tries to attack a tomato, causes no harm to humans or animals and has been used for 1,000 years by humans,” Shacklett said. “Neem oil is the ultimate pesticide.”

Customers are encouraged to try products before purchasing and to scour all the tents in order to compare prices for the best bargain. Sellers seem to enjoy uniting with customers at farmers’ markets as they both participate in generating communities that support healthy lifestyles and help stimulate California’s economy.

“I like being around people pressing the flesh,” Shacklett said. “I have been working with tomatoes all week and they don’t talk too much.”

 

Every Saturday

8:00 a.m.- Noon

Sunrise Station Certified Farmers’ Market

Folsom and Sunrise boulevards.

(Lightrail parking lot)

Pro’s:

– Not too far from Sacramento State.

– Not too crowded.

– Wide selection of vegetables.

Con’s:

-Less diversity in fruit and moderate prices.

 

8:00 a.m. – Noon

Sunrise Mall Certified Farmers’ Market by BeMoneySmartUSA

Sunrise Boulevard and Greenback Lane

(Citrus Heights – Behind Sears Auto)

Pro’s:

-Plenty of parking and not crowded.

-Vendors like the Cultured Kitchen selling gluten free and vegan specialty items like cashew cheese and vegan roasted asparagus chips.

-Music entrainment provided.

-Freshly squeezed orange juice and rainbow colored cauliflower is sold.

Con’s:

-Smaller, so there is less competition and variety in price.

 

Every Sunday

8:00 a.m. – Noon

Sunday Farmers Market

(In downtown Sacramento)

8th and W streets

Pro’s:

-Wide range of vendors and sellers for fruit, produce, nuts, dairy and meat products.

-Excellent prices in fruits, such as grapefruit sold for 25 cents apiece, a dollar less than at previous farmers’ markets.

-Speciality products like gluten-free walnut bread and whole wheat pretzels are sold.

Con’s:

-Aside from parking being a little more confusing to navigate than the first two, this Farmers Markets has no cons and the best range in products and cheapest produce.

Hope Roberts can be reached at [email protected]