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Menlo Park Farmers Market
Categories: Food Specialty Food Fruits & Veggies Food Farmers Market Fruits & Veggies, Farmers Market [Edit]
Between Santa Cruz Ave & Menlo AveNext to Trader Joes
Menlo Park, CA 94025
(831) 688-8316
- Hours:
Sun 9 am - 1 pm
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
37 reviews for Menlo Park Farmers Market
Review Highlights
"...that it is open year round (although pickins' are obviously..."
(in 6 reviews)
"Fresh produce, flowers and fruit are always on display."
(in 4 reviews)
"...less flashy than the Palo Alto market on California Street."
(in 8 reviews)
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37 reviews in English
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Review from Nicole A.
West Menlo Park, CA
1/9/2012 14 Check-ins Here
I've been to a number of farmers' markets and I am glad I can call this one my own. While it may be smaller than some others, a lot of that is due to the lack of crafts and prepared food. There is some of that, but it is mostly produce and flowers. The one ranch and fishmonger really rounds it out to be extremely useful. There is also a beeswax/honey stand (every other week), an olive oil stand, and a small number of craft and prepared food stands.
A few of the stands have CSA's. We did Baia Nicchia's CSA this year (mostly tomatoes!) and was very happy with it. There are a few stands we stop at almost every week where the people at the stand recognise us and we miss them when they are gone.
The downsides at this market are dogs and kids. I know that it is great to take children to the market, but they are too often in huge strollers or walking in front of people. It is usually very crowded and I really don't want to step on any toddlers. -
Review from Jen K.
11/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
A stroll down memory lane brought me to Menlo Park on a Sunday in time to experience the Farmers Market. Back in the 90s, I lived about two blocks from here and always enjoyed the ease of strolling through Menlo Park compared to its larger neighbors. Downtown Menlo is looking good these days and the market is a nice year-round option for locally grown produce.
In some ways it is a true farmers market, with the vast majority of booths dedicated to produce. I attend many markets in Oregon and they typically have a larger contingent of retail and food booths in the mix. Later that day, I visited the California Avenue Farmers Market in Palo Alto and had a better overall experience, thus the mediocre rating. And neither can touch the market at the Ferry Building in S.F. Now that is world class.
The highlight for me at the Menlo market were the take-and-bake pizza and pretzels from Uncie Ro's Organic Artisan Pizzas in Santa Cruz. Good stuff! -
Review from Colin S.
Menlo Park, CA
9/20/2011 3 Check-ins Here
Though it is small relative to Palo Alto and amybe Mountain View, we are regulars at the market. It is close to home so it is easy to bike or walk.
Great produce (need my fruits and veggies) selection and reasonable prices. Summer is by far my favorite time given the variety of stone fruit, berries, melons. Fall is great too with tons of heirloom tomatoes. My kids love the coffee cake muffins @ Karin Johnson's stand. -
Review from B S.
Menlo Park, CA
This market falls far short of either of the Palo Alto markets or the ones in Mountain View or Sunnyvale. For years the management resisted allowing in any vendors but those who actually grew the products they wished to sell, but they've relaxed the rules, now, so bakers and other vendors can sell there, too. Still, they're not attracting the best of those vendors, so it's pretty limited. On the positive side, there are a lot of vendors of organic produce here, so it's way ahead of the Redwood City market in that regard. Also, it operates all year--another plus.
Listed in: Born to Shop
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Review from Eddie T.
Menlo Park, CA
8/22/2011 6 Check-ins Here
I love coming here to get my fruits and veggies! Great thing about going to any Farmers Market is that you can buy in manageable portions (I'm always tempted to buy the huge bulk bags at Safeway, and half of it goes to waste)
One vendor that really stands out is Uncie Ro's Organic Artisan Pizzas. They sell these very delicious, ready-to-bake pizzas, and also these pizza-pretzels that make for a very good breakfast treat. -
Review from Anne N.
Menlo Park, CA
11/19/2011
Pretty good selection, but you have to come early. If you come late in the morning, close to closing time, most of the good stuff are gone. The market is also small, and does not have a lot of vendors.
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Review from Eric K.
Santa Clara, CA
4/3/2011
Excellent produce and good selection for this medium-sized farmers market. Cost is more like one $ if you stick to produce, but I can see $$ if you stray into the prepared foods.
Selection is as good as the Mountain View FM, but this one is only a fraction of the craziness.
Getting there before 11:30 is a must, as by that time quite a few stands sold out of the great stuff and are left with good and not-so-good stuff.
It is in an excellent location, so I can hit the FM, Penzeys, and TJs and do a week's worth of grocery shopping without having to move the car. -
Review from Amanda G.
2/28/2011 11 Check-ins Here
Since we live in Menlo Park now, we had to check out this farmer's market.
We got here near closing time on Sun. and in fairness, this isn't the best time of year for farmers markets. That being said, this market is VERY small, and doesn't have a lot of vendors. A lot of my favorite vendors from other markets weren't here.
Kind of disappointed, but I'll give it another shot later on in the season when produce and the variety of it is more plentiful.
Although, if i have the time, i have a feeling we'll drive the extra 8 minutes or so to go to the California Ave. farmers market. -
Review from Jacqueline C.
Menlo Park, CA
Only worth going for the flowers. Veggies are on the pricey side and I'm not really a fan of strange things like organic beets and leeks. It's also only one block long so it's not exactly the most impressive farmer's market.
Beautiful orchids, protea, leucadendron, narcissus, and local grown roses though! Discounts near closing time. -
Review from Linda L.
Mountain View, CA
6/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
Although the vendors are friendly and the atmosphere is pleasant, largely due to the sunny Bay Area weather and that people who actually make it to these Sunday events actually want to be there, this farmer's market is very small. It is only about the size of a block and I would suggest driving a little further to the Palo Alto one which actually spans a few blocks. You'll get fresher kettle corn (you know you want a bag) and more variety in legumes, local products, and fruits.
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Review from Fabianna P.
Menlo Park, CA
Updated - 7/10/2011
MEDINA BERRY FARMS has the most amazing strawberries! After buying strawberries from this stand for four weeks straight and being consistently in love with every strawberry I taste, I won't buy my strawberries anywhere else. Completely sold :)
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/12/2011
Today I experienced the jubilee I hope to feel more than once in my life: The "Woo hoo! I love where… Read more »
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Review from Wes T.
3/20/2009
Being that I live about two blocks from here I have nothing but positive things to say about this farmer's market.
Fresh produce, flowers and fruit are always on display. There are also artists and craftsmen that hock their wares from stalls on occasion. -
Review from Dominique N.
Menlo Park, CA
7/25/2010
Having lived in the Peninsula almost all my life (and visited many of its farmer's markets) I have to say that the Menlo Park market is my least favorite.
Why? Lack of selection (not many ethnic veggies or fruits, plus no bakery and bread) and it's expensive, even compared to Palo Alto and Mountain View. Worst, the prices weren't posted at the stand we eventually bought from and $7 for a few small bunches of veggies / green onions seemed excessive since it wasn't even certified organic.
Only positive? This farmer's market is located right next to Trader Joe's...so after being thoroughly disappointed by the market, we were able to salvage our weekly grocery shopping at Trader Joe's. -
Review from Travis D.
Palo Alto, CA
3/23/2009
Menlo Park has become my farmer's market of choice in the last year for weekly grocery shopping.
This no-frills farmers market is a little bit closer to home, much more low key, and certainly less flashy than the Palo Alto market on California Street.
For unprocessed goods (think fruit, veggies, lettuce, herbs, and other stuff that comes straight out of the ground), i find the prices here to be the same or cheaper than the grocery store. They also dominate the selection at this market.
The more processed stuff (think jellies, jams, breads, pizzas, naan, etc) is less abundant here than Palo Alto and is usually more expensive than what you get at the grocery store. If you come you've got to try the nut guy though. His flavored nuts are great.
So chances are, if we've got friends in from out of town visiting and they want the 'farmer's market experience' we normally take them to the Palo Alto Market on California street. But if it's just an normal week and we need some local produce to round out our grocery shopping, this is where you'll find me. -
Review from Ellie M.
Menlo Park, CA
10/15/2009
Hells to the yes! I adore that I can go just 4 or so miles across town and get to this Farmer's Market on Sunday mornings (if I don't have to work).
Sure, it's not a massive market, but every single time I get there, I always manage to leave with enough fruit and vegetables to feed an army for a week (it seems), all under $40. And, each time I have made it there this year, there is a stall of assorted nuts, which are raw, roasted, dusted with garlic powder, you name it. Fantastic! I am one that craves cashews and almonds instead of chocolate and ice cream. Just as fatty, but less sugar, more fibre, and more protein! They know how to keep a girl happy.
Also, don't miss the stall with the incessant amount of strawberries. Best damn strawberries I have ever eaten. And, if you get there later in the morning, maybe an hour before they are closing, you can get a bitchin' deal on said strawberries, as they don't want to have to haul them back to where ever it is they are going, just to throw them out.
Seriously. My Sundays, if I am off, revolve around going to the Market, loading up on veggies, fruits, and nuts, then sitting in my backyard with a good book, a bowl of strawberries, and a bowl of cashews. What a life.
Please go whenever you can and support local farmers, as well as Menlo Park!!! -
Review from Radit T.
Menlo Park, CA
6/4/2011 9 Check-ins Here
Love coming here every Sunday morning year-round with the family. The kids eat their way through samples from stall to stall, they listen to the music performers, and we get a chance to pick up fresh fruit and veggies. It's just the right size for us (SF Ferry Building FM and Campbell FM are huge and crowded by comparison) and we usually combine it with a trip to Trader Joe's next door. On the pricey side as far as FM prices go, but we still thoroughly enjoy coming here.
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Review from Wing Y.
San Carlos, CA
6/18/2009 24 Check-ins Here
I love this place. Rain or shine, I come every Sunday morning when I'm not out of town and leave with several bagfuls of groceries. Considering the small size of the market, there's a good amount of variety - there's fish, meat, eggs, honey, olive oil, and mushrooms to go along with all the fresh produce and flowers. Between this and Trader Joe's across the street, I only have to make a Safeway visit about once a month.
The only problem I have is holding myself back from buying too much fruit. Bring enough cash if you're going to buy fish or grass-fed beef. -
Review from Henry C.
Menlo Park, CA
6/13/2010
The Background:
Maybe it's because I live in Menlo Park, but I really like this farmers market. It has everything I need to cook and at incredibly reasonable prices for organic, local food.
The Positives:
There is a crazy variety of leafy greens which makes me very happy. To save some money, the leafy green vendors sells the prepackaged bags for a $1 less and the other one will lower the prices when it gets close to closing time. Additionally, one of the fruit vendors will lower their prices by almost half about 30 minutes before closing. Additionally, there are two egg vendors, though they both tend to sell out.
The Negatives:
Its smaller then other farmers markets and is at the same time as the Mountain View one. -
Review from Michele R.
Redwood City, CA
1/13/2006
THE local market! I graze through the market and get my breakfast and tasting taken care of (first pass through) then buy on the second pass through. My favourite season is when the persimmons are out - if you have not tried this delectable fruit or if you have only tried one style you need to do your self a huge favour and go to this market. I (myself - oh I guess that is a given from the I part of the statement - I do digress) love the Fuju (not to be confused with Fuji apples - although I love those too) are more like apples and to be eaten hard whereas the Hachime (sp? where is the spell checker here???) are soft and mushy (my dad's favourite) - try freezing and eating like a sorbet.
The market is also strategically placed between Trader Joes and Draegers (a few blocks) - so if you don't find something head out to one or both of these places.Listed in: My Neighborhood
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Review from eric k.
Dublin, CA
4/17/2008
four stars or five stars? I rated MV's farmer's market 5... and this one is obviously not as good... but only 4 stars? Menlo Park is a small community.. it could use the rounding up....
I lived at 745 Menlo Ave... why is this important?
because it's RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET... and every sunday I could(doesn't mean I did) walk across the street, hit up the farmer's market, or just walk around and enjoy the good weather, nice people, and get out for the fresh air.... yes.. I didn't do it nearly as often as I should(only miss something when it's gone right?) but that doesn't take away from it.
Orchids, seafood, fresh produce... and anything you can't find or didn't like but are still looking for, you still have 2 little grocery stores in walking distance, and a big store a medium walk away. -
Review from Julia L.
San Jose, CA
8/11/2008
I found this place by accident, waiting for a friend who was running late for lunch. It is a small market, not a huge variety, but it had tomatoes for $1-2/lb, peaches/nectarines for $2, and other everyday staples at better than average farmer's market prices.
I wouldn't make a special trip here from San Jose, but if you live close by I would definitely check it out. Lots of parking too, even though I came around noon. -
Review from Mark K.
Burlingame, CA
3/14/2010
I decided to come here because I missed the College of San Mateo's Farmers Market on Saturday.
We visited on Sunday, March 14th.
Positives:
-The citrus we were able to get was excellent.
-Great location
Negatives:
-Small
-No bread or pastries
-A little higher priced than others
-Selection beyond the usual FM fare (unique meats, fresh kettle corn, rotisserie chicken, bakeries, olive oils, etc...)
Its ok just nothing to really write home about. Lacks some of the great farmers market feel due to some of the negatives -
Review from Maggie K.
Burlingame, CA
6/24/2007
This is a very good Farmers Market. Most of the produce vendors are organic, plenty of free samples, lots of wonderful fresh fruits and vegetables.
As with all Farmers Markets, get there early for best parking and selection. This week I scored some excellent plums, donut peaches, beets, yams, ollaliberries, and olive oil from Olivas de Oro.
Okay...so I'm a sucker for fresh olive oil. Oh, and they're organic! My favorites, Sevillano and Mission Blend. -
Review from Scott P.
Menlo Park, CA
9/2/2010 10 Check-ins Here
Wow, the best farmers market I've ever been too (Palo Alto is a close 2nd). We love our farmers and their wonderful produce. We even get fresh pizzas from this market. There is a nut stand with about 30 different kinds of nuts to choose from. I like the garlic-onion pistachios.
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Review from Angela H.
Portola Valley, CA
7/28/2007
I like the vendor who sells a variety of greens. Also there are good citrus vendors when in season. I really like the farmer that sells narcissi bulbs and cut flowers - they grow well locally and the white narcissi have a wonderful scent.
For berries, beans and corn I prefer Webb Ranch on Alpine Road near 280. It is not as expensive and grows some of what it sells.
There's usually a pleasant musician in the farmer's market and you may enjoy picking up some flowers there too. -
Review from Lee H.
Berkeley, CA
4/13/2008
The Menlo Park Farmer's Market is small, but it has several things going for it. One, it's year-round. Two, it's small enough that you get to know the vendors that come every Sunday: the potatoes and asparagus stand that has bags of kettle corn for sale; the organic blueberry stand; the dried fruits and nuts stand; Kashiwase with their stone fruit in summertime; Twin Girls and Ella Bella. Three, there's plenty of public parking at both ends of the market. Four, if there's anything you can't find at the market, it's between Trader Joe's and Draegers, so you can pick it up there. And five, most of the vendors are organic - easily 80-90% of them - which isn't true of a lot of larger markets.
I love this market, and even though I moved away from Menlo Park last year, I still go there. -
Review from Angela P.
9/13/2009
What this farmer's market lacks in size, it makes up for in quality. Fresh everything, the best heirloom tomatoes and peppers, and live music. I wish they had eggs and some bread and I wouldn't even need to go the the store. Look for the guy selling toffee almonds.
Listed in: Peninsula Life
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Review from Mary-Lynn B.
Menlo Park, CA
7/9/2008
I don't think this is the best market around (Mountain View is better) but I live right across the street so it is hard to beat it for stocking up once a week. It's possible to grab a bunch of stuff here, head to Trader Joe's in the next block and be home before noon. Do yourself a favour, though, and get there early. Once the MPPC lets out the strollers will make it nearly impossible to navigate.
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Review from Betsy P.
San Carlos, CA
9/5/2010
Menlo Park is my farmer's market; I've been shopping there for nine years. It caters primarily to vegetable and flower sellers; there' s one meat vendor and one fish vendor. The only prepared foods are jams, honey, pizza, and cakes. If you're shopping for ingredients, this is the place to go. The farmers will quickly remember your face and tell you when your favorites are coming into season; many will hold a box or two of your favorites the week after you ask them to. Unlike several local farmer's markets, Menlo Park is year-round. Obviously the selection is wayyyy down in December, but it's nice to be able to go and get fresh greens, citrus, avocado, and root vegetables.
A special benefit of Menlo Park's market is that it is midway between Trader Joe's, Draeger's (expensive food, complete selection of exotica, great butcher), and Penzey's (best spices in the land.) When you combine trips to these stores, you're ready for Sunday dinner (and most of the following week.) -
Review from Rachelle A.
Palo Alto, CA
9/23/2007
I'm lately in the habit of reviewing places that I love. Maybe it's a new sense of optimism, spreading the love, paying it forward, an unconscious ploy toward achieving good karma? This market isn't the biggest (I think Palo Alto has one up on MP...I know they win at everything!), but it oozes with organic, musical, olfactory, petition-signing, fruit-sampling community pride that's almost unmatched in MP. Barrone and Keplers, just a few blocks away, are moving in the same community-minded circle as this super market. A note to the bargain-hunters: walk through the whole market first to scope out the well-priced produce.
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Review from gypsy v.
San Francisco, CA
5/5/2007 1 photo
This was one of the first markets in the area to be year-round, and it is still one of the best. And the perfect time on a Sunday morning -- while everyone and their big SUVs are away at church somewhere! No, for all that, It's a great community gathering place too, as well as being a great place to shop. It really is possible to do a full spectrum of produce shopping at this market, not just pick up a few unique/gourmet specialty things (though you can find some of that too) before trotting off to the hypermarket to finish up. These are growers you can really get to know, and greet again and again year after year; I'm still buying apples and chinese vegetables and mushrooms and dates and strawberries and avocados and cara cara oranges from all of the same farmers as I have for the last 5 years. A local gem.
Listed in: My Neighborhood
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Review from Sandi G.
Palo Alto, CA
6/11/2007
This farmer's market is just ok. It's a little on the small size compared to some of the other farmer's markets in the area. It has the usual fruit and veggies nothing that really stands out as a must get item. And the parking is a bit of a nightmare as it's located downtown near a busy Trader Joe's. Although it's nice to be able to get fresh produce at the market and then walk over to Trader Joe's for everything else, an extra star for that.
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Review from Christian M.
Oakland, CA
8/24/2010
This is the best local source for produce. Farmers compete for spots at this market which is a also a kind of low key multicultural festival, as suits the character of the area. Expect to bump elbows with residents and kids from many countries who make up the local community. Fine quality produce and flowers are available, and every provider is a character with a rich story that comes for free with the choice pickings.
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Review from Suzanne L.
Menlo Park, CA
7/12/2010
Great hometown feel and good selection of produce. I also love that it is open year round (although pickins' are obviously slimmer in the winter). If you go later in the day near closing, prices get cheaper. Parking is a little nutty but there is certainly space to be found relatively easily. My one wish is for some baked goods vendors.
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Review from Stacy L.
Palo Alto, CA
11/10/2006
I'm a sucker for fresh fruit in season, so I usually try to make it to this Sunday morning open air market to pick out apples, peaches, plums, apricots, nectarines, or strawberries for the week. There are also vegetable vendors, fresh cut flowers for sale, fantastic dried mushrooms, even a fish shop.
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Review from beth m.
Menlo Park, CA
7/27/2008
This farmer's market is smaller than others, which is nice, but I find that the produce is often wilted and the variety isn't what I'd hoped for. How many limp broccoli venders does one market need? Also, they have no sellers for fish, meat, eggs, or breads. Even though I can walk to this market, I've started going to the much better supplied California Ave market.
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Review from Ava C.
Milpitas, CA
3/18/2011
This FM is great for staples for someone who enjoys cooking with fresh and organic ingredients - it's a regular stop for me. Would love if they would bring in some new vendors for variety though, or expanded.
