Santa Monica Farmers Market

Three boxes of strawberries for $7, the largest chocolate croissant made by a French woman for $2, dried swags of rosemary for $1, old knives sharpened for $1 a piece, the most amazing flowers for $5 a bundle – these are just some of the delectable bargains that you can find at the famous twice weekly farmers market in Santa Monica.

My favorite way to shop is by purchasing all the foods that are currently in season – blood oranges, different mixed greens, asparagus – and then a few things I want to try (such as homemade preserves). I talk to the sellers, learn what their specialty is, a new recipe or two and what I really need to get. It makes for a fabulous way to grocery shop (reminding me of my favorite Provencal markets).

All Santa Monica markets are Certified Farmers’ Markets (CFM’s). There are three basic criteria for CFM’s: (1) they must consist of farmers who possess a current Certified Producer’s Certificate issued to them by their county’s agricultural commissioner; (2) they must be non-profit entities, sponsored by the farmers themselves, a non-profit organization or a municipality; and (3) all produce and products sold at a California farmers’ market must be grown or made in California. These simple guidelines help to ensure that CFM’s continue to exist for the benefit of the communities they serve. And I, for one, hope it’s for a very long time.

WEDNESDAY & SATURDAY
8:30am-1:30pm
Arizona Ave & 2nd St. Santa Monica