Farmers Market - Wednesday/Saturday Downtown Santa Monica — Local services in Santa Monica

My review is for the Wednesday farmer’s market from 8 am to 1 pm. This market is one of the best in Los Angeles because 1) it features a few vendors that you won’t see at other LA markets; 2) it’s in downtown Santa Monica just a couple blocks from the ocean; 3) it’s easy to find metered street parking nearby (2-3 hours); 4) it’s far less crowded than, say, the Sunday Hollywood farmer’s market, at least before noon (but the Hollywood market is great, too); 5) walking up and down the rows of vendors, you’re likely to see at least one or two vegetables and herbs you’ve never seen in your life, or at least only read about; and special varieties of fruits and vegetables you’ve never heard of.

It’s always said that this is where many top restaurant chefs come to buy their produce. I believe this, but since I know few living top chefs by sight, I can’t be certain. I’m sure they probably come as early as possible to have the best selection.

It is fun to take pictures here, but I was quickly told “No pictures, please” last week by a well-known vendor as I was about to snap a photo of some particularly appealing dusky-skinned grapes. First time that’s happened to me.

Note: unlike most markets, there are few to no prepared-food vendors at the Wed market, but you can buy raw meat and poultry, cheeses, bread, dried fruits, nuts, olive oil, and flower. In March and April you can get lilacs brought in by farms far enough north, though beware some of the pricing (actually, for beautiful lilacs at a less dear price, go to Ha’s Apple Farm’s stand at the Sunday Hollywood market).

The earlier you can go the better. At certain times of year, popular vendors can sell out of things well before closing. It’s also more peaceful. As it gets towards noon, particularly in the summer, there are not only more people but also more street corner musical performances of the bad-karaoke variety and the effects can get...

Oh my gosh! Can you say "a foodie paradise" for those who like organic, fresh and tasty foods. This place is filled with yummy fruits, sweet dates, almost too perfect flowers and a cornucopia of massive goodness.

Make sure you stop by Roan Mills to get some of the best bread I've ever tasted. I bought the honey Brioche buns. Ask for Dauor, he is the tall, dark and handsome guy with a slight accent. Also, we bought raw milk that tastes like you are on a farm - it was sweet and smooth. The guys Mike and Derrick at Organic Pastures were so kind to let us pay for and store our milk, cream and butter with them while we tried to buy up the rest of the market. The two guys are out there on Wednesdays and if you missed them, they are in South Pasadena Farmer's Mkt. on Thursday and Hollywood on Sunday.

I've saved my favorite for last and that is Patty from Achadinha Cheese Company. Here Kefir spreads and churned butter were so delicious that I wanted to skip work and just veg out on bread, butter and cheese. My favorite Kefir is the Fig flavor. I am sure that I will make this Farmer's market a part of my weekly routine. Tips: Make sure you bring plenty of bags, cash (some people do accept debit cards) and a wagon or shopping basket on wheels. I have more vendors to review so look for another post on the sweetest oranges, apricots that taste like peaches, dates that remind you of hot butterscotch and hand-crafted body scrubs, lotions...

I think this may be one of the best Farmer's markets in Los Angeles. First off, it's very large - spanning over 3 blocks long. It also features mostly produce from farmer-vendors - with very few (if any) selling non-produce tchotchkes like candles and dried flowers. But, there is a fresh-cut flower seller, an herb potted-plant seller, a cured olive seller, and a few sellers with organic meat and poultry in huge white coolers decorated with signs informing the curious what's inside and the cost per pound of their hidden wares. There are at least 4 or 5 sellers of fresh eggs, one of which has eggs as her sole offering.

Most notable, informing the importance and quality of this market are the bevy of workers pushing freight-handling carts and hand trucks, picking up their weekly orders for the top-chef helmed famous restaurants they're employed by. Their menus touting the farms like high-fashion brands: Harry's Berries, Weiser Family Farms, Kenter Canyon, Peads & Barnett and Valdivia Farms. During the coronavirus pandemic, they do limit attendance so you have to wait in line and if course, wear a mask. Other than that, it's a great...