The farmers’ market in San Rafael has been a long time favorite of mine. It is extremely popular, and over the years it has gotten bigger and bigger. This market, which first opened in 1987, is now the third largest farmers’ market in California, with nearly two hundred local farmers, specialty food stands and artisans coming together to celebrate the incredibly vibrant local food movement.
I photographed the market on an April morning, so you will see spring produce. And the smiling lady in the image below, happily tasting cheese samples, is my dear friend Valerie, companion of many explorations and adventures. We love browsing the market together and discovering new goodies, and there are always plenty of those!
Most of the produce and ready foods sold here are organic, and the list of vendors goes on and on: fruits and vegetables, flowers, honey, preserves, olive oil, cheeses, gourmet foods, coffee, cookies, breads, cupcakes, chocolate (did you say chocolate?!), pizza… all locally grown, produced, mixed, blended and baked. There is usually a section with arts and crafts vendors as well.
This market is not just a place to go and stock up for the week, but an event where you can hang out, eat, chat with people, watch food demonstrations, taste samples, listen to live music and just enjoy. It also makes for an excellent twice-weekly lunch break.
There are two or three bakery stands at this market, and they are always the ones with the longest lines. The magic of sugar and spice!
The San Rafael Farmers’ Market takes place twice a week, Sundays and Thursdays from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm rain or shine. Though a little smaller than the Sunday market (about one hundred local vendors), the Thursday market is also known as the local chef’s market, as some of the Bay Area’s premier chefs come searching for the season’s freshest produce.
SAN RAFAEL FARMERS’ MARKET
Sundays & Thursdays – 8:00 am – 1:00 pm @ parking lot by the Marin Veterans Memorial Auditorium – 10 Avenue of the Flags – San Rafael, Ca 94903 | map | more info
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This article was originally published on August 17, 2012 in my Food Journey blog, which is now integrated into this one.
