SD Farmer's Markets

[dbug31]

Anyone have a preference to the Coronado Market on Tuesdays or the Ocean Beach Market on Wednesdays? I'm leaning towards the Tuesday market due to schedules & such...

TIA

[imafattyfoodie]

Do vendors usually take credit cards?

[jturtle]

Generally cash only!

[DoctorQuality]

although i haven't made it to the ob market, i was disappointed by the coronado farmer's market. not much variety. if possible, i'd highly recommend the hillcrest market on sundays...lots of produce and various other booths.

[abacal]

I read last week that the North Park Farmers Market will be back starting this Thurdsay. The hoursa re soemthing like 3-7 or sunset. It's in the CVS Pharmacy parking lot at University and 32nd streets (new location).

[Cathy]

That is why they have the markets pretty much every day. Lots of the same vendors. I prefer Chula Vista on Thursday.

[Pei]

Is there one on Mondays? TIA

[susan3733]

Here's the website for the SD Farm Bureau info on local farmer's markets. It looks like there are none scheduled for Monday, but the website also lists local farm stands, which you might want to check out.

http://www.sdfarmbureau.org/Pages/far...

[MrKrispy]

how can you tell which farmers are organic or not? I occasionally ask and get "i don't know, I just work the register"

[Enorah]

The organic stands up here at the Encinitas/Leucadia farmer's market have "organic" on their banners.

[Cathy]

Certified organic are very clearly marked.

[soquelcalifornia]

I do not know of a farmers market open on Mondays anywhere in the state. (If not country.)

I think most farmers take the day off. Many work an early market on Sunday, and then rest.

Check LocalHarvest.org for farmers markets, too: just plug in a zip code.

And to the person who gets the answer, "I don't know, I just work the register"? I'd shop somewhere else. CCOF (California Certified Organic) requires a monetary investment that many small farms, especially those who've been in operation for a long time, aren't willing to invest it. If you know your farmers and trust them, then if they say "no pesticides" or "sustainable," that is often as good as "organic." For a farm to call itself "organic" requires meeting strict government regulations. Well, "strict, but loosening for big business" is more the case.

Ask the farmers. Talk to the farmers. Satisfy yourself.

It's actually more important to know which fruits and vegetables are worse when grown with pesticides, and which are "not so bad."

http://www.diamondorganics.com/dirty_...

That is a list of the "dirty dozen" (the most contaminated fruits and vegetables). I would never buy a conventional peach or berry or apple. Corn, on the other hand, is not such a moral compromise for me.

I'll second the rec for Hillcrest on Sunday. Great variety. Nice, as long as you avoid the scented products. (I don't want to smell candles: I want to smell basil and lemons and peaches.)