Farms & Markets
by Sylvia Wallace Myrvold

More and more people are realizing how important it is to get their fruits and veggies as close to home as possible. You want them picked ripe, not green.
Buying locally reduces the amount of energy used to ship them here from places like Florida. And, you are helping your local farmers continue farming generation after generation.
With our great climate we can grow just about everything most of the year. And we are surrounded by farms that will let you pick your own or have a produce market right there at the fields. There is just not enough room to cover them all in this one issue, so we will start with a couple of favorites and try to get around to more of them in the next few months.
The Swank Farm in Hollister has opened a produce stand at 2600 San Felipe Road where they will sell their own as well as other local farmers produce. Come in for fresh herbs, great salsa, six kinds of the best cherries you have ever tasted. When the summer comes along they will have heirloom tomatoes, lettuce, English peas, sugar snap peas, green beans, fava beans, cauliflower, sweet corn and more. They also have lots of fun things for the kids, including a giant jumping pillow that measures nearly 40’ by 70’.
Bertuccios’ Fruit Stand is located at 2410 Airline Highway in Hollister. It was opened over 40 years ago and is open all year and offers an array of fresh produce and seasonal fresh fruits. They also offer homegrown, and-cut dried Blenheim apricots, walnuts right from the orchard, a large selection of dried fruits and nuts, jams, jellies, (some sugar-free), syrups, gourmet food items, garlic braids, farm fresh eggs, organic honey and fine chocolates. Go to their website for more info, www.bertuccios.com.
A favorite in Gilroy is LJB Farms, an easy stop for commuters returning home from work in the Silicon Valley. LJB is located at 585 Fitzgerald. They anticipate being open mid June, but right now you can stop for fresh Strawberries.
You can also get big, sweet berries at the Uesugi strawberry stand on the side of Highway 25 between Gilroy and Hollister. There is also a Uesugi stand on the north end of San Martin on the old Monterey Rd.
The biggest fruit stand around, of course, has to be Casa de Fruta on Pacheco Pass just outside Hollister! A stop there can result in a car full of fruits, nuts, berries, wine, pastries, candies, pies, chocolates, cheeses, breads, cookies, syrups, jams, you name it, they will probably have it in stock. And it’s all local! They also have rides for the kids and lovely picnic areas. They are also the home of the Renaissance Faire in the fall.
Any of these stands are excellent shopping stops if you are Out & About some Saturday or Sunday. Check back here next month for more info on places to enjoy fresh fruits and veggies.

Your Guide to Local Farmers’ Markets

These are all “certified” farmers markets, meaning the farmers are certified with the state and sell only products they grow themselves. You can expect to find an unmatched selection of top quality produce and flowers from small regionalfarmers, many of whom are certified organic and use sustainable farmingmethods. Specialty products include artisan breads and cheeses, exoticmushrooms, eggs, chocolate, preserves, fresh fish, oysters, gourmet sauces and pasta, fresh-baked pastries, and fair-trade coffee and teas.

Aptos
Open year-round, Saturdays, 8am to 12pm
Cabrillo College, 6500 Soquel Dr., Aptos.

Carmel
Open May through Sept, Tuesdays, 11 am - 3 pm
Barnyard Shopping Village

Hollister
Wednesdays 3 pm - 7pm.
4th and San Benito Streets
Average 20 vendors per week.

Los Banos
Starting in June. Saturdays, 7:30 am-11 am.
Henry Miller Plaza.
209-389-4534.

Monterey
Open year-round, Thursdays, 2:30 pm - 6 pm
Monterey Peninsula College, 930 Fremont St.t, Monterey

Morgan Hill
May 10 thru December 22. Saturdays 9am to 1pm
Downtown at 3rd and Depot at the Train Station.
Approx. 30 growers and food purveyors at peak season.

Salinas
Open year-round, Sundays, 8 am to 12 pm
Northridge Mall, Salinas

Santa Cruz
Open year-round, Wednesday 2:30-6:30 pm:
Lincoln & Center streets. Downtown Santa Cruz,
831-454-0566, www.santacruzfarmersmarket.org