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Sat. 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
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Went here yesterday and I can't get over how great this place is in the fall. While most people start to think about the holidays right wbout now, it still feels like summer as the very last of the fall peaches and pluots (apricot and plum are displayed by some vendors as well as sweet corn, sugar cane, bitter melon, ahd heirloom tomatoes. The fall fruits and vegetable are here, too like the Fuyu (eat like an apple) persimmon as well as the Hachiya (don't eat till mushy), that least five varieties of apples (fuji, gala, granny smith, red delicious, and yellow delicious), and several varieties of pears as well as cold storage grapes (picked in summer but refrigerated and sold as fresh).
Vendors still come from far away as Fresno and Reno. The one Reno based vendors, Smit fRanch, currently has Fuji and Pink Lady apples and has among the sweetest of the summertime (Arctic White) nectarines from Reno. But for me what defines Irvine Farmers markets is the number of Asian vendors which sells things only available in Irvine. You can get gai lan this time of year, which is a tender, mild green which is prized in Dim Sum restaurants. The last of the asparagus beans ($1.50 a bunch) are still available as of this past weekend. If you can find it on a Chinese restaurant's menu, it's $9.00 wokked. Lots of different Asian cooking and salad greens, squash, and root crops (Diakon radish). Other vendors have sweet peas, gold as well as red beets and different colors or lettuces, cabbage, and chard.
There is still the huge prepared foods area with roasted corn for $3, fresh fish with some seasonal finds like the sweet Hawiian escalar, and many breads and pastries which keep expanding. There is still the many live entertainment acts to add to the festivities such as ranhera music and singer guitarists.
The Christmas crafts are coming in hot and heavy with some interesting clothing and unique gift ideas. There are still fresh fruit samples, but personally, I am not likely to take them anymore having seen people coughing and sneezing near them. Parking isn't bad, and even when it's raining, there are still some die hard shoppers and vendors.
I have been going here almost every weekend for about 15 years..
The parking can be a challenge…
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Mmmm fresh produce For The Win! Irvine's Farmer's market is BIG with plenty of parking and all sorts of yummy fruits. It's October now and they still have fresh peaches, nectarines, strawberries, raspberries, pluots, as well as the autumn fruits: grapes, persimmons, asian pears, apples...
Samples abound, and the produce is affordable unlike at the AWFUL Berkeley Farmer's market ($4/lb for peaches? Living in poor areas sucks!). Peaches, apples, pears, and pluots average at $2/lb at the Irvine farmer's market, $1.50-$2/lb for grapes, etc. The grapes right now, btw, are exquisitely sweet, flavorful, and crisp. I also walked away with fresh Asian veggies to cook this week :)
So come here from 9am-1pm on Sat, right next to In-n-Out. Near the end some stands reduce prices...my friend and I got these delicious mini bundt cakes for $2 each. Italian Butter Rum...so moist and buttery, like it sounds! There was also yummy hummus that I considered purchasing...and on a random note: some gorgeous and unique jewelry stands.
I am officially STILL spoiled on fruit :)
This farmers market is great. You will find a lot of fresh and organic produce, and I always enjoy the live music and sampling the food.
Overall, the products are fairly pricey and the parking lot can get overly crowded. Dogs are not allowed in the market but unfortunately that does not seem to be enforced.
I am trying to find this, I'll be at the Ontario Mills Mall this Saturday-anyone got a quick way to find it -I'll be on the 15 freeway and has anyone bought cactus there?
THE GIST: Since there aren't many other farmer's markets locally, this one isn't too bad.
OVERALL: We'd still rather go to H-Mart.. which is cheaper.
ENVIRONMENT: Nice to walk around in the morning and checkout the local produce. Gives you a reason to wake up earlier and walk around on a saturday morning.
I love this place! The people, the produce, the communal feel of it. It's not a large farmer's market. They set up tents in the parking lot of University Plaza across from UCI on Saturdays and you get fresh, locally grown food. Most of them are organic and/or do not use pesticides. You can definitely tell because the veggies aren't perfectly shaped like the ones in the super market. The vegetables and fruits here come in all shapes and sizes, deformed looking, kind of what you would get if you grew them in your own backyard.
Things I love about this Farmer's Market:
- friendly people
- samples of all the fruits
- samples of the hummus (OMG best homemade hummus stand with so many varieties!)
- samples of the bunt cake (really good! the only reason I didn't buy one is because I'd end up eating the whole darn thing all by myself)
- the live music
- being able to bargain down the prices esp towards the end of the farmer's market
p.s.
bring cash!!!
Small Friendly Farmers Market
lots of produce, samples,a couple meerchandise vendors, live music, must stop by and sample the gouda cheese.. plus the guy is so nice.
I can't believe I forgot about this farmer's market. For fresh produce, this farmer's market is about as good as it get. Plenty of sellers to choose from and fresh baked goods too. Bought some really ripe tomatoes, makes all the supermarket tomatoes taste like plastic in camparison. The freshly roasted peanuts are a great snack too.
Some people might think this market is too small, but I think it's just right. I don't need all the extra non-food stuff.
Great produce and a snack from Blackmarket Bakery is a great way to start a Saturday.
Great food and a mariache band!
I missed going to the Tustin Farmer's Market so much while at work(it's on Wednesdays from 9AM to 1PM in Downtown Tustin, by the way) , that I sought out an alternative and low and behold, it's in Irvine on Campus X Bridge across from UCI on Saturday mornings.
I was impressed with the number of vendors and the variety of items they sell here. I liked how there is an entire section of baked good, nuts, dried fruit and what not including fresh made sausages and a fish monger, too. Oh wow! The German in me got all excited over those spiced and cured meats... And oh my... all those free samples... fresh-fresh-fresh! My foodie eye spied truffle oil, blood oranges and Chinese broccoli and eggplant. And I couldn't believe the huge avocados the Cal Poly Pomona group were selling. They must have been 2-3 times bigger than everyone elses. Amazing! I ended up getting herbs, green onions, a garlic cheese loaf from a bakery out of Rancho Cucamonga near my old stomping grounds, Greek flat bread and a sack of Meyers lemons. It was a nice way to wake up and spend an hour getting some shopping accomplished for my weekend meals.
I've lived in Irvine now for six years, and remember when the Farmer's Market first opened...the downside is they used to be open on Saturdays AND Sundays, but for whatever reason, just Saturday mornings now, 8-12.
The sample food there is great, atmosphere is lively and you truly get that "tight knit, little town" feel walking through the market. There's live bands, freshly baked bread, kettle corn and ice slushies, so all in all, the market seems like a carnival/country fair/health-conscious organic bazaar!!!!
A definite "TO GO" place if you're a visitor of Irvine, and if you're an "Irvinian" and haven't been here, GO!
BTW, parking is horrible, so get there early!
You would think since Farmer's Market was just BAM right across the street from me I would frequent more often.
Truth of the matter is, I tended to be a typical college, alcohol fueled student. Would party hardy friday night and wake up around noon and a half.
I believe the market goes til 1pm. By the time my groggy butt is somewhat awake, it would usually be ...1:30.
Anyhow for the occasions I HAVE attended Farmers I am never disappointed. They introduced me to the hybrid Pluot! How can I possibly give a place that introduced me to such a gem of a fruit a bad review?
Through the maze of good smelling food, cheap veggies, nuts, breads (OH YES the breads are AMAZING), salsas, cakes, cookies, and flowers, please PLEASE do not go hungry, and hey if you do (because i know it happens) bring lots of cash. Or a friend with lots of cash.
You will be tempted to buy everything as you walk the aisles of food with a hint of In-N-Out scent in the air (since it is right next door)
I actually found out about the Irvine Farmer's Market on accident. I was going to school really early in the morning and wondered what all the commotion is about. Tons of free samples and the food is so good and fresh. I had the best guacamole I have ever had in my life there (and it was just a sample!).
But I really have to give props to the roasted corn. Man, it was so sweet. I don't even think it needed butter; and it only cost $3!
Everyone is really friendly there, but make sure you price compare. For example, I saw deals for the same-sized hass avocados - one for $2 at one booth and three for $2.50 at the other. Scope out the deals!
This was my first time and I was so excited. Not only have I read incredible reviews about this place, but also, I have heard so many ravs from friends who have come and bought produce here.
At first, I read that it was only open every other weekend, but I wasn't sure if that was the case, so I went anyway, and it was in full force - yes, it is open every Sat. rain or shine!
I absolutely loved it. It was so much fun browsing. I bought flowers and veggies. I tried the dips and chips a vendor was selling. I chatted for a long time with another vendor about the fertilized eggs he was selling. It was all new and really unique for me.
I am typically a wholefoods shopper but I am addicted. Honestly, it is an experience more than anything else. Produce may cost cheaper at an Albertson's or even Trader Joe's but this farmer's market not only brings together the community but also brings together a family. I truly enjoyed it.
I can't believe I've lived here for so long without coming here. I've heard and now I've experienced! I've been to a few farmer's markets here and there (San Francisco Ferry bldg, NYC Union square green market, Fairfax LA, and Torrance) and this one probably ranks second to San Francisco. At this time, the first strawberries are coming up and there's a lot of citrus too.
Parking is okay if you come a bit earlier. There are a ton of produce vendors. There's also vendor that sells delish hummus, baba ganoush, and tabouli. A pleasant surprise was Schreiner's sausages, I got some fantastic chicken sausage with sundried tomatoes and was informed it was made of all breast meat, yay! There's also a few bakeries including Blackmarket Bakery which uses all natural ingredients. Prices are fair, with organic costing a bit more. Most of the vendors are really nice and willing to tell you where their product is grown and answer any questions.
What rocked is when I went home, made some pasta (fresh from a vendor) with some chicken sausage, olive oil, tomatoes, and basil - with everything I purchased from the market just an hour earlier. Not only is eating local green (which is oh so trendy of course these days), but it's pretty delicious and nutritious.
This one of the better FMs that we have visted. The fruits and vegetables selection is very good. An added plus is they have asian type vegetables too. Prices are very reasonable and some were a dollar less than other markets.
What I did like was the option to choose a smaller amount. Some of the vendors had small bags of mixed salad, enough for four.
I did some research prior to leaving. I got some good advice about parking on the Kinko's side. That made entering and leaving easy.
My only gripe would be it felt a little confined inside the market. If they could make the isle ways a little wider that would make the people traffic flow much easier. Especially for people with strollers and shopping carts.
this place is my utopia! i had such an amazing time here a few weeks ago, and i'm going back tomorrow. i LOVE it here. i've lived in irvine for 2 years already and i wish i'd discovered it before. the vegetables are really awesome (mostly organic) and they actually last longer than you think! i wish i caught the name of a vendor where i bought most of my veggies, because he deserves major praise. i guess he heard me talk to my boyfriend about how amazing their squash blossoms looked and he gave me a bag... for free! they were delicious, too! i was unimpressed with blackmarket bakery, though there was a large crowd there. hopefully tomorrow there'll be more to choose from. it gets very crowded, and parking can be crazy, but it's so worth it. flowers are also very cheap there. i'm thinking of buying some phaelaenopsis orchids (my fave) tomorrow when i go. LOOOOVE IT HERE!
This farmers market has grown in leaps and bounds since I first visited years ago. These days, it is MY market and I get all my vegetables and fruit from here for our weekly supply. I also enjoy the freshly baked goods from Blackmarket Bakery. There are many bread stands, Mediterranean food stands, kettle corn and 3 stalls of Asian vegetables.
The vendors are pretty cool and once you develop a rapport with them, they are so friendly and often shower me with more things than I had picked out.
I try to go super early because the parking situation gets tricky with loads of bad drivers who can't seem to park into the smaller spaces they have there.
This is a pretty good farmers market but since I'm comparing it to my favorite one (Mountain View,… Read more »
I don't cook, so I mostly go to Farmer's Markets for the community aspect, chatting up the locals and vendors, and the free samples of course. It's also a great way to get out of the house on a Saturday morning....I must say, Irvine has a great Farmer's Market for all of the above.
Facts and Favorites of the Irvine Farmer's Market:
1. Runs from about 9am-1pm, Saturdays only. CASH only.
2. Great selection of local produce and fruits, which include Asian veggies (think bittermelon), and all sorts of fruits in season
3. LOTS of parking
4. Avocado guy - sells Reed Avocados. The ABSOLUTE BEST! They keep for 1 month in the fridge.
5. Cactus guy - sells a variety of small cactus plants and succulents, very good prices
6. Roasted corn stand (Usually there, but recently have been seeing it sporadically) - get an ear of corn to munch on while you browse the stands. I cover that thing in butter, salt, and otherwise every single seasoning they have there. Wish they had mayo!
7. Sometimes I can practice my declining Spanish when I try and buy produce
8. Very conveniently located next to Trader Joes in the same center. Get your milk and eggs after you get your Farmer's Market produce.
Overall, this is a nice way to spend a Saturday morning in Irvine, and it really lends to the community aspect in an otherwise cookie cutter suburbia.
Been to a few farmer's markets and never saw what the big deal was. Then I went here. Wow, I love Irvine even more than ever!
Loads of interesting, never-before-seen vegetables and fruits, not to mention a couple of nice bread stands, crafts stands, cactus stands, cheese stands, etc.
This is where I discovered:
-pumpkin blossoms (yum!)
-multiple kinds of pluots (who knew?)
-shade and non-shade cacti (again, who knew?)
I also accidentally discovered that if you arrive at around 12:00 noon, the merchants begin selling their produce for very cheap. No need to go earlier, because there's plenty to go around and none of it seems to go out of stock. Nope, the best time to arrive is later, when they offer deals like $1.50/pound.
With free parking, Trader's Joe's and Veggie Grill all within a short distance, who wants to go anywhere else on a Saturday afternoon?
I was just about to leave after buying some beautiful produce, when this friendly man came up to me and offered me a free raffle ticket for the 11:00 raffle, which took place near the Taco Bell parking lot. (Each vendor donates a small prize, which they then raffle). It sounds corny, but he had the crowd sing "Auld Lange Syne" before we got going, and then he was cracking jokes the whole time. Ken (as I later learned his name is) and Anita (his wife -- the people in charge of the raffle) only added to the experience. I won a bag of yams, and had fun whooping up with other winners trading produce and having a good time. I definitely will go back. The next one is on January 17th. (It's the first and third Saturday of each month). With Trader Joe's, 24-Hour Fitness, and some of the other shops there, it makes the drive even more worthwhile.
P.S. The mini bundt cakes are killer!!!
P.S.S. At the end, they were going to re-raffle some of the leftover items for people, who lost their jobs. I thought that was a nice touch.
So I finally made it out to the farmer's market and I loved it! I didn't get there till 10:45 or so, and it was packed. But it was so fun and I will def be trying to wake up before 12 on Saturdays from now on!
Some of my highlights were buying the world's largest beefsteak tomato, the world's largest avocado (a Reed avocado, thanks to Holly W.), and the many varieties of pluots. I also bought some Blackmarket Bakery goodies and sampled many fruits, hummus, and other baked stuff.
My sister went with me, and she couldn't care less about produce. She ended up buying a super cute dress, necklace, and bag. It was all very affordable. There really is something for everybody!
I love this farmer's market! the people are nice, the live music is great, sometimes it gets a little crowded but it's manageable, everyone is friendly.
I literally used to live across the street from it, and there was nothing better than waking up on a Saturday morning and just walking around and filling up on all the free samples! woohoo free breakfast!!! it's awesome man. just take one lap around the whole market and get all the samples: the apples, the oranges, grapefruit, strawberries, cherries, breads, cakes, juices, chips, dips, kettle corn, WOW!!!
oh yeah and they actually let you buy the stuff too if you want more for later!
I braved the heat this morning and headed to the farmers market across from UCI. I know everyone says to get there early, but I was lazy and slept in, so I didn't make it there until almost 11 am. I was in the market for some fruit, strawberries in particular, and I thought it would be fun to browse around since I normally have other commitments Saturday mornings.
When I arrived, I discovered that today they were having a free raffle. The farmers had donated the prizes such as produce, flowers, herbs, and plants. But before the drawings start, the man in charge lead the crowd in a sing-a-long of Barry White's "You're the First, the Last, My Everything". He put a music-playing Hallmark card up to his battery-operated bull horn and everyone sang along with Barry. Twice. I kid you not.
It must be my day because when my number was called, lo and behold, I won a pint of strawberries, exactly what I was shopping for today. Afterward I looked around at the other stalls, sampling the fruit and admiring the hand-crafted jewelry. I went away with some pluots, plums, and some hummus and pita bread. Delish!
Spending the morning strolling through this Irvine Farmer's Market is one of my favorite Saturday morning pastimes. I love to start at the flower vendor end and soak in all the wonderful sights and colors of the flowers and vegetable stands.
Recently I've noticed more new vendors - a fact spurred by the decline of the economy and people starting alternative businesses on the side as a means to an end I suppose. I do love the concept of supporting local farmers and vendors, and the sense of community at the IFM is evident around every nook and cranny of this weekly gathering. Children run around, faces beaming with joy while sampling fruits and treats - ahh I could go on and on...
Foodwise - My fave vendors on my regular must-have stops:
1) Eggs - cage-free, organic brown eggs. I also love that this vendor uses and accepts recycled egg cartons.
2) Baba Foods - $3 for $10 hummus and other mediterranean treats. How ca I ever choose 3 for my faves? I love the Garlic, the Spicy Black Bean, and Sweet Roast Bell Pepper hummus'. I also love the Taboulie - mmm so good w/the garlic hummus and chips!
3) Heirloom Tomatoes vendor - With handfuls of heirloom tomato varieties, I always have such a hard time limiting my selection. Perfect with Mozzarella al Caprese!
4) Herb vendor across from the flower vendor - bags of basil and other herbs for $1! Mixed salad mix for $2-3!
5) Soledad Goats - a new fave w/all goat milk/cheese products. So delish! I've used mine to make stuff hamburgers and DH was very happy :)
6) Veggie vendor at the very end - last stall. This vendor is great. The owner is always helpful in advising people how they can use a veggie new to them, or new ideas for an oldie!
For anything I couldn't get from the Farmer's Market, I just swing into Trader Joe's in the same plaza to complete my shopping list!
I love this Farmer's Market. I remember finding it last year when I started at UCI, and it became the reason to wake up at a reasonable time on Saturday mornings. I love the fresh sausages, hummus, and, of course, the varieties of berries. It's family-friendly and not expensive at all! I definitely recommend this place for anyone who has a little cash in their pockets.
Yay for curry potato pockets!!!! And booths full of tasty/healthy/interesting stuffs!!! I went here primarily for the Black Market Bakery stall, but I still enjoyed meandering around and checking out the various fruits, veggies and other sundries.
Parking is admittedly a pain, but the walking to/from your car will help you burn off all the calories from eating tasty food that you find there!
Woo loved it!
I had gone to a couple of Farmer's markets in the area (Hollywood, Torrance, Santa Monica, Palos Verdes) and this one rocks!
First off the parking is a breeze. You don't need to pay a dime whereas at the Hollywood farmer's market you need to pay for your parking AND fight for it. The Irvine Farmer's Market is located in the parking lot of the University Town Center and we actually made trips back to our car to put stuff back so we can buy more! ;)
The selections were great, and we saw lots of herbs that I couldn't name (nor did the lady next to me who smelled everything and asked what they were and what they were for-just as clueless as me, hehe) We also bought many Asian veges that were run by Asian farmers that brought back memories from eating at nightstands in Taiwan!
I also loved some of the crafts there. Though the selection was not many, the goods were unique. There was a shop selling hand-knitted baskets and bags from Africa. The goods were of such beautiful colors and quality that I lingered in the store and had to be dragged out by hubby (a bit pricey though.)
We didn't get to eat anything but there seems to be fewer food stands than some other farmer's markets we've been to.
Our love goes to a vege stand at the very end of one of the aisles. It is 100% organic! Everything looked so delicious and I cannot wait to cook the goodies I got from this stand!
Come rain come shine I came. Yep, I'm a green bean.
I used to always come here every Saturday at 8am when I was in college at UCI! I know i know, what a geek college kid I was, right? I loooved this place and couldn't get enough! There was a variety of fresh produce and I always got their organic eggs. I loved getting the dried fruit here too. I would try samples of everything. mMmm juicy blood oranges and pommelos... Nothing beats a farmer's market with great selection! Good for the heart, good for the mind, and definitely good for that hot bod of yours... eat your veggies friends!
Love the farmer's market. Going on Saturday morning with my friend is quite enjoyable. Even though technically they're supposed to be open until 1pm (or so I heard), most of the vendors are all closed up by noon so you want to get there before then.
They have a lot of fresh fruit/vegetable stands, and they all look very promising. There's this one apple stand that my friends and I particularly like, and they also have very yummy apple crisps. One of my friends really likes this one candle stand, and I agree that the candles smell amazing. Everything is basically amazing and your experience here will definitely be an enjoyable one ^^
One of the best things about this market: you actually don't need to get there early. Contrary to what many reviewers say, in my four years of regular visitation to the market, I've noticed almost no difference in selection when I get there at 9:00AM or 11:00AM. In fact, sometimes, farmer's start reducing their (mostly reasonable) prices later to unload their lots before they get back on the road.
Other amazing things about this market: Sweet Tree Farms' table. The adorable attendants at Sweet Tree offer up the most tasty and delectable treats all year-round. And they've actually opened a farm nearby so they no longer need to drive from Fresno, so any of you concerned about the carbon footprint of your sellers, they're a good bet. Another good bet: Smith Farms. Their vegetables are consistently fresh and yet vary from week to week, which is great. I love being surprised by gorgeous red peppers one week and big gourds another. It shakes up the week. If you're into baked goods, definitely hit up Black Market Bakery's stand: the chocolate brioche and pocket sandwiches are my personal favorites (try the eggplant, feta one).
All of this can be summed up in the following: get thee to the market!
Open air farmer's markets are one of my favorite things. The Irvine market is pretty big and has lots of variety. The produce and other offerings are bountiful. I walked the entire market before settling on what and where to buy. I sampled just about everything, of course. Wow. The coffee, the oranges, the strawberries, the bread, the hummus, the tamales, the fresh fruit juice, the cakes, the nuts... yeah, I had breakfast AND lunch there. You gotta sample the goods first! I was lucky enough to go on a drizzly Saturday morning before the market got too overcrowded. I like to avoid huge groups of people cramped into small areas, so I find it preferable to get there bright and early, tote bag and dollar bills in hand. But I'm not a morning person, so this won't become a weekly occasion. I'm a big fan though!
My husband and I went this morning. It was really nice. There was a great variety of everything! Fruits and vegetables along with bread and cakes and pastries. You name it they seemed to have it. We bought a 25 lb bag of oranges for like $11? I have the sweet tooth and gravitated towards Blackmarket Bakery and got a brownie and marshmallows...Hubby bought some wild caught salmon and vegetables for dinner. Everything looked appealing and it was fun to walk through the stands. Everyone was really friendly...I can't believe we've lived out here for almost 5 years and never knew about it. Thanks again to Yelp we have found something new!
Going to this farmer's market has become my favorite summer morning activity. They close around noon, and the earlier you get there, the better - It gets kind of hot...unless you're into that sort of thing. If you don't live close, bring a cooler in the car to store your fresh veggies, fruits, and meat in addition to a canvas bag.
There are a couple of memorable booths. The first is the guy with the sausage (last summer he was in the middle-front of the market - I need to get off my bum and go there this weekend). The Cajun sausage is delicious and spicy-y-y. The second booth is occupied by a younger guy who sells gigantic, yummy, juicy pink grapefruits. I think he gave us a good deal last time, too. Mmmm.
I'm always tempted to buy an orchid or two, but I now know better than to buy orchids that have already almost fully bloomed. That is usually the case at the flower booths...they tend to be overpriced and will probably die in a couple weeks.
I don't even have to make or pay for breakfast. I just fill up on free healthy samples until lunch. And buying local is totally in because it's good for the environment...duh. What's not to like?
My favorite farmer's market!
I wake up at 7:30 just to arrive right on time, at 8, to snag the best out of the Japanese grandmothery woman's weekly crop. I get the best cucumbers (crisp and so tasty; the skin isn't tough like the other cucumbers at the FM either, so I savor it all!!) and Japanese radish from her. 2 organic cucumbers for $1 and a bunch of Japanese organic radish for $1. Great prices, especially for organic produce.
I really need to stop eating breakfast; it'll save me time and money, plus then I won't feel so stuffed by the end of the market! Yummm, so many good fruits and munchies!
The good:
-Great peanut stand provided you get the jolly guy who keeps telling you to sample the peanuts. Keep in mind that they roast it on the premises, so if it's the stoic, silent skinnier guy, his roasting isn't as good.
-KETTLE CORN! MMmm. If you don't polish off the entire bag the first day or two, I would suggest transferring it to a seal-proof container because it gets stale fast.
-Great hummus and yogurt dip at the hummus stand. it's $10 for 3 containers and I especially enjoyed the pesto hummus. Their pita bread is soft and tasty too.
-Need flowers? Gorgeous fresh blooms for a lot less than any retail place. Get there early so there's a good selection and so they haven't been baking in the heat.
-Yummy roasted corn. It's just really hot when she hands it over.
-Supporting the local farmers is always good.
The bad:
-Parking is a pain in the rear. Be prepared to park and walk. That's fine with me because I never buy giant sacks of oranges. Plus, my boyfriend carries it all.
-Homemade dog food is kind of pricey.
-No dogs allowed, so I have to sneak my dog in.
-People pick up sample fruit with their hands, which makes it unsanitary.
Previous to my trip today, I had only ever been to the Laguna Hills Farmer's Market. The Irvine Farmer's Market has many of the same vendors, but is about 3 times as big, and seemed a tiny, tiny bit more expensive.
The main reasons to go to this Market is the excellent selection. In addition to your basics, this market had a lot of asian speciality items: Chinese dates, long beans, and eggplants of all shapes and sizes. There were quite a few melons and squash that I was unfamilar with. There were also a number of farmers with beautiful greens, including purslane, baby arugula, and others. There was also information on a few vendors who run their own CSA, which I will be following up on.
This market also has a lot more vendors selling bread, honey, oil, and plants. I picked up some baked goods and was pretty happy with my purchases.
I was anticipating that there might be some good craft action in addition to all of the food,but I was a little disappointed with the jewelry and ceramics that were offered up.
Get there early, before 9 AM and you can avoid the crowds. The highlights:
--Dueling guitar strummers (unless the faux Jamaican guy is doing is half-assed rap out front) trying to see who can play more sensitive sounds of the 70's; James Taylor, Joni Mitchell and the weekly rendition of Harry Chapin's "Cat's in the Cradle"
--The mushroom lady; great selection of 'shrooms, especially the oyster 'shrooms
--Black Market Bakery--the chocolate/almond brioche is great, and I'm still pondering the pounds inducing almond, chocolate and god knows what else bread pudding thing that feels like it weighs 10 pounds. Pick up one of their curry potato or eggplant stuffed pockets to stuff your face whilst strolling the grounds.
--Blood oranges; I've only found one stall that carries these; down in the back. Fantastic
--Unknown chinese and japanese veggies. What is that stuff? Picked up some Japanese eggplants and made a great Thai eggplant dish with them
--Figs....when they're in season, the 'shroom lady carries these. Along with 4 or 5 other stalls. Hadn't had any in years. Now I'm a fig junkie
And there's more!! But who has time to go over the whole mess? Get your butt down there and grab some grub!
I'm giving this one 5 stars only because it's probably the best farmers market in my area (Orange County), that I know of. As close as it gets to the Wednesday Santa Monica Farmers Market, but not quite as grand as the San Francisco Ferry Building Market. Definitely worth checking out if you're into fresh local grown produce and want to support our local farmers!!
Don't forget: Kettle corn!
Really great. Lots of vendors selling all kinds of stuff: fruits, vegetables, bread, pita bread and hummus, flowers, kettle corn, random little crafty things. Some of the things can be a bit more expensive than albertsons-like places, but at least you're supporting the local farmers though. It's the only place with a huge variety of pluots. You also get to try samples of whatever it is that they're selling. Only downside is it's all over at noon.
They also have a free raffle at 11. Each of the vendors donates something for you to win. Even if you don't win they give you a coupon for $1 off of a $5 purchase at the farmers market.
Irvine, CA
Category: Fruits & Veggies
Laguna Hills, CA
Category: Farmers Market
Irvine, CA
Category: Dim Sum
Irvine, CA
Category: Farmers Market
Irvine, CA
Category: Sandwiches
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