January Market Report: Ferry Bldg Farmers' Market

So did you spend all of your money in Chinatown?

Well then, you probably shouldn't go with us to the Ferry Building today. However, there is an ATM conveniently located inside which will charge you the cost of a small cup of Blue Bottle coffee to use, if you want.

The Ferry Building Farmer's Market was small and manageable today, which is how I like it. Oh, there are many locals who come to shop but there are often gawkers and tourists crowding your way, taking pictures, talking on their cell phones, pushing strollers, and just being a nuisance. Guess which one I was?

That's right!



GAWK AWAY!

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First, the Fruit:

Citrus again!

Navel Oranges - $1.99 per pound

Organic Apples, which if you're going to spend the money on organic, apples are your best bet since they tend to be the most heavily contaminated with pesticides conventional fruit crop.

Pink Lady and Granny Smith - $3 per pound

Hey! Look! I've never seen Cherimoyas here before!

If they're still around next week I'm buying some!

Cherimoyas - $5 per pound

Next up are some kiwis. These seem to grow everywhere in the San Joaquin Valley now and often you find them at fruit stands or even for sale in front of someone's home. We pulled off the side of the road a few weeks ago in Manteca and bought 6 for $1. They probably weren't organic, but then they probably weren't sprayed either.

Organic kiwis - $2.50 per pound

Asian pears out the yin yang...

Yali Pears - $3 per pound

Asian and
Non-Asian pears
Live together in perfect
Harmony
Side by side on my Farmers
Market
Fruit case
Why don't weeee-eee-eee???

Shinko and Bosc Pears - $3.90 per pound

Persimmons – the scourge of the Central Valley. You can't throw a pear without hitting a persimmon tree in California. Like zucchini, people who live in and around the Modesto area practically give these away in the winter time. They're more prevalent than meth labs and car thieves – and that's saying a lot!

Fuyu persimmons - $3 per pound

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Let's move on to Vegetables, shall we?

Can you believe peppers are still being sold?! And quicker than you can say "Mexico", I say "No! Palo Alto!". These are grown just a few miles south from here at Happy Quail Farms. These may be the last peppers we see until June, so scoop 'em up while you can.



Brussel sprouts from Iacopi farms. Their produce is usually pricey no matter what time of day or year it is, but if you want to buy in season direct from the farmer (and not from someone hired by the farmer to work the stand), you'll appreciate what they sell here. They usually have pretty good beans in the summer, and their brussell sprouts are always good.



Onions for sale at Star Route Farms. I didn't get find out how much these were, but they look pretty nice.



Interestingly enough, last Fall, a couple of stalls down from Star Route at the Knoll Farms stand, I saw RAMPS for sale. I haven't seen Knoll Farms at the market the last 3 times I've went, but I'd be interested in seeing if they're selling ramps again and what price they're going for. As you know, ramps are mainly harvested in the wild during the Spring in Appalachian mountain communities, where there's also usually a Ramp Festival. I had no idea they could be grown in California.

Moving on...

More onions (leeks), broccoli, and kale.

I love the texture of Kale

Carrots, carrots, and more carrots galore!



Baby bunches for $1



Large bunches for $2.50



And, of course, turnips.

"Tokyo" turnips - $3 per bunch


Left to right: Rutabegas, Black Radishes, Green Turnips (and Parsnips on the upper right)

Sam, over at Becks and Posh, served up some Watermelon Radishes once. They're very attractive, but I've never eaten one. You'll have to ask her how they are.

Watermelon Radishes - $2 per pound

And last but not least, Golden Beets.



On that note, I think I'll end here. Have a great weekend!

k.