I’m pretty sure not everyone spent their Valentine’s Day at the local farmer’s market, but for me, it was perfect since I’ve wanted to go to this market for a long, long time, and Saturday was the day.
By closing two city blocks on Arizona between 2nd and 4th, vendors from all over Southern California are able to provide the best of their organic fruits and vegetables, range-free bison, fish, honey, fresh flowers, and so much more.
All of the Santa Monica Farmer’s Markets are Certified Farmer’s Markets (CFM), established in 1978, when then-governor Jerry Brown signed legislation known as the Direct Marketing Act, enabling California farmers to sell their own produce directly to consumers at locations designated by the Department of Agriculture.
Currently there are three 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
3. All produce and products sold at a California Farmer’s market must be grown or made in California.
These simple guidelines help to ensure that CFMs continue to exist for the benefit of the communities they serve.
Currently, there are over 300 Certified Farmer’s Markets in California.
Looking over the array of food available, I saw varieties of food I’d never seen from purple potatoes to free range eggs to the freshest tasting oranges I’ve eaten.
Today, I was one of the estimated 900,000 visitors the Santa Monica Farmer’s Market receives every year. One of the inherent benefits of living in Southern California is that produce is grown all year round.
The beauty of a farmer’s market is that the food is local, thereby keeping the money spent local, which also lessens its carbon footprint. Currently food travels an average of 1500 miles before it reaches your table. Try this carbon footprint calculator to see how much you and your family contribute to the greenhouse gas emissions. Mine is just average, but I do try to limit my driving, and I buy local whenever I can.
Because I’m going out of town in a few days, I didn’t purchase too much; just a few oranges, apples, and honey. I love fresh honey in my tea. Next time I go, I’ll have a total menu planned so I’ll then be able to share the recipes and dishes with you. I love cooking, especially veggies.
Speaking of veggies, I took some great pictures of the fruits and veggies at the market, but there are too many for this post, so tomorrow, I’ll put up more pictures from my Valentine’s Day at the Santa Monica Farmer’s Market, including the myriad of fresh fruits.
How did you spend your Valentine’s Day? With the many sights, sounds, and unique places to spend with your friends, family, and loved ones, it’s fun and easier on the wallet to find the hidden treasures in your hometown.
May 15th, 2009 → 7:00 am
[...] the plus side, the Bike Valet Service at Pier Saturday Night Concert Series and Sunday Farmers’ Market and other city events parked over 16,000 bikes in 2007, getting cars off the road and improving [...]