Featured Seasonal Produce

Featured Seasonal Produce

Our farmers markets are a veritable showcase of the freshest California grown produce available year round. 

The Central Coast is one of the most productive regions in the U.S. With its mild marine climate and fertile alluvial soil, we enjoy four seasons of vegetables and fruits. Known as the “Salad Bowl of the world,” our area produces numerous varieties of lettuces and greens, along with vegetables, mushrooms, carrots, peppers, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries as well as orchard fruits like heirloom apples, Blenheim apricots and many other row crops.

Fresh basil
Few herbs capture the essence of summer quite like basil. With its unmistakable aroma and vibrant flavor, basil is a culinary staple—especially in Italian cuisine. So beloved by the ancient Romans, it came to symbolize love and fertility. While sweet basil—the familiar green variety—is the most common, this fragrant herb...
{ Continue Reading }
Summer corn is known for its sweet and delicious taste and is an American staple for barbecues, picnics, and beach cookouts. Whether you cook it on the grill, boil it, or use its kernels in various recipes, fresh corn is a delightful addition to many dishes and meals. Locally grown...
{ Continue Reading }
It’s officially berry season on the Central Coast, and with it comes one of Northern California’s most beloved summer fruits: olallieberries. This bumpy, deep-purple berry may look rugged, but its sweet-tart flavor has earned it a cult-like following among berry lovers. A member of the blackberry family, the olallieberry is...
{ Continue Reading }
Fresh rhubarb at the farmers markets
Rhubarb tends to spark strong opinions—you either love it or leave it. But for those of us who love it, May marks the peak of rhubarb season and the perfect time to bake, simmer, and savor. While most people associate rhubarb with pies, this vibrant stalk is surprisingly versatile, adding...
{ Continue Reading }
Culinary lavender blossoms
Lavender, with its unmistakable fragrance and calming properties, has long been prized for its beauty and therapeutic benefits. Native to the mountainous regions of the Western Mediterranean, this versatile herb was introduced to America by early settlers and has been cultivated for centuries. Of the approximately 40 known species, English...
{ Continue Reading }
It is a great time for leafy greens at the farmers markets. I mean this in a couple of ways, too. It is great to have the greens since it is winter and there isn’t a huge variety of things growing. But best of all, this is a great time...
{ Continue Reading }
Meyer lemons are a winter favorite, prized for their thin skin, floral aroma, and gentle sweetness. Learn what makes them special, how to use them, and where to find them fresh at local farmers markets.
{ Continue Reading }
Did you know the Monterey Bay area is the second-largest producer of mushrooms in the U.S. and third in the world? Pennsylvania, where mushroom farming was pioneered, ranks first. The Chinese, who studied Pennsylvania’s methods for shiitake production, now lead global production. What was once considered exotic—shiitakes, lion’s mane, oysters,...
{ Continue Reading }
A sure sign that November has arrived is the warm orange glow of persimmons lighting up many stalls at the farmers market. This deep red-orange radiance comes from persimmons—known in much of the world as kaki (a Japanese word pronounced kah-kee). The name persimmon comes from “pessamin,” an Algonquin term...
{ Continue Reading }
1 2 3

Search Recipes

 

Market Highlights

Cookbook Exchange

Leave a Reply