Jack London Square Farmers Market — Local services in Oakland

Pre-pandemic I really enjoyed this market. Yesterday had a pretty awful experience with Ramos farm. He sells conventionally grown fruit, all at the same price per lb.

I was excited to see fuyu persimmons. He cut me a sample which I ate. It was hard but I figured they'd be good when they ripened. I bought $11 worth of mixed fruits from him.

A minute later my throat/chest hurt and breathing became more labored. It was painful. There were several people at the booth. I didn't want to make a scene or in any way diminish his business so I quietly asked him if he uses pesticides. He said no, the fruit was not sprayed. I said that my throat and chest hurt. He didn't respond. He just had a look like "it's not my fault". I guess I'm more of a caring person, I treat my customers like neighbors or friends, I'm concerned, even if I know it wasn't my fault. He didn't express any concern whatsoever or offer to take the fruit back. But perhaps it was up to me to ask for a refund and I didn't.

My throat and chest continued to burn for about 10 minutes. Finally it subsided. I started to question myself.

Maybe the burning didn't come from the fruit or it could be washed and still eaten? When I got home I washed all the fruit very well and tried one of the peaches. It was brown and tasteless on the inside. Also my throat had a slight reaction still. That's when I dumped my $11 of fruit in the compost.

Ramos booth shouldn't have been selling such low-quality tasteless, brown and toxic fruit. It doesn't cost a dime to show concern. it would have been awesome if he had expressed any sympathy.

I don't believe that Ramos doesn't spray or put something in the soil. I eat almost exclusively fruits and vegetables, I'm not a sensitive person and very rarely have...

This was the 2nd of 2 Farmer's markets I unexpectedly ended up at on the same day. What I noticed:

1)MANY, even MOST of the vendors were the SAME in both places!

2)The same PRODUCTS were in both places, even when the vendors were different.

3. This 1 was a little CHEAPER in products offered than the other one. So go HERE 1st!

4)There's NOTHING TO EAT in the prepared foods for a person needing protein/sugar/starch/wheat free foods!! NOTHING!! Does ANYONE who works these places know how to make things that aren't FULL OF CARBS & SUGAR?!?!?! NOTHING!!! IN EITHER LOCATION! & that's VERY disappointing!!!😭😭😭

5)I then found the SAME TYPE of produce at TJ'S for MUCH LESS $$$ So, decide for yourself where YOUR best value for...

This used to be a very busy farmer's market but since it reopen it has been subpar. The lady working the information booth needs to be better trained. I waited for over 10 minutes for her to just acknowledge that I was standing there. She was too busy listening in on a conversation with two other people. After waiting for over ten minutes, I finally had it and asked her if she could help me out. She said yes of course as if I just walked up. I know I'm not white but please don't treat me like I don't matter. I've been here twice after they open and will not be back. There's two other farmer's market on Sunday that I can get my fruits and vegetables from that has way better selections...