Farmers Market Brings Fresh, Local Produce to South City Once More

Gusting winds and early morning clouds were no match for excited locals, eager to shop at the 2011 grand opening of South San Francisco’s Farmers’ Market in the parking lot of Orange Memorial Park on Saturday.

Toddlers ran circles around moms, their mouths covered in strawberry juice. Vendors offered samples of their fresh produce and breads, with the sweet smell of kettle corn and soft rock sounds of Fontain’s M.U.S.E. in the background.

Twelve farms, nurseries, bakeries, and specialty foods shops in all set up stands in South City’s Farmers Market. McLellan Botanicals of Watsonville had a crowded booth all morning with visitors buying potted orchid plants and orchid bouquets. West Flowers of Colma was selling wrapped bunches of fresh alstroemeria, roses, lilies, mini carnations and sweet williams.

Of course the Farmers Market draws local producers from all around Northern California. Seasonal offerings included strawberries, raspberries, lettuce, artichokes, fava beans, carrots and radishes.

Resendiz Farms of Hughson had Stockton red onions with long stocks perfect for making a sweet onion broth. They also had cluster cobra tomatoes, first chance white peaches, and Modesto cherries.

"We go to 54 farmers' markets every week, and I think we've been doing this one for 15 years," said farmer Jose Zamora. "We grow a lot of different fruits and vegetables up in Hughson, so we'll always be selling something different depending on what's in season."

G & A Farms drove their fresh vegetables out from Hollister, bringing South San Francisco a great variety of certified organic produce. Their most popular items were huge brussel sprouts, artichokes, kale, cauliflower and broccoli.

Adventurous eaters enjoyed Justin Reina’s friendly offering of east and west gourmet Afghan foods at the Bolani booth. He serves up delicious and almost limitless combinations of Bolani’s stuffed flatbreads, paired with some of their delicious sauces. Bolani’s products are also available at Whole Foods, Andronico’s, and Mollie Stone’s.

If you missed this week’s grand opening of South City’s Farmers’ Market, you have 25 more Saturdays to get over to Orange Memorial Park to enjoy the local harvest. Check out weekly events and see who’ll be performing live music on upcoming Saturdays by visiting the South San Francisco’s Farmers’ Market webpage on the Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market Association website.