I love to cook vegetarian dishes. I like to buy produce that is free of pesticides, artificial dyes, or chemicals. Naturally, organically grown produce that is fresh from the farm enriches the taste of each meal. As a result, I frequently shop at local farmers markets and grocery chains that sell farm fresh produce. I’ve compiled a small list of some of these stores.
Farmers Markets:
Capay Valley
Downtown Palo Alto at Lytton Plaza
University at Emerson on Stanford Campus
The Bay Area has a farmers market for each suburb. Hence, Palo Alto has Capay Valley Farm Shop which meets on Wednesdays from 3:30 – 6:30 pm in downtown Palo Alto on Stanford Campus. A collaboration of family farms and ranches brings a mixture of 11 fresh, local produce from Capay Valley Growers. In season now are Lettuce, Carrots, Greens, Apples, Potatoes and Leeks. I love their locally grown strawberries here, though this is smaller than the other farmers’ markets.
Urban Village
Caltrain Station
121 W. Evelyn Ave
Urban Village meets on Saturdays at the Sunnyvale Caltrain Station on Saturdays 9am – 1pm and on Sundays from 9 am – 1pm in Palo Alto on California at El Camino. They also meet in Campbell on Sundays from 9am – 1pm. I buy most of my veggies here and find the food very good in quality and taste. Their prices are also reasonable. They are sponsored by the California Avenue Area Development Association (CAADA). Most farmers here are “Certified” and will display their “Growers Certificate”, issued by County Agriculture Association, hanging at their stand. They meet at multiple locations throughout the South Bay so check the listings at their website for updates.
Major Grocery Stores:
Whole Foods Market
4800 El Camino Real
Los Altos, CA 94022
(650) 559-0300
This is the best place to get organic veggies, international delicacies, and farm fresh produce, Whole Foods has a large selection of fruits, exotic spices, and bulk quantities! Most products are claimed to be free of hormones, pesticides, herbicides, and environmentally friendly.
Sprouts Farmers Market
111 East El Camino Real
Sunnyvale, CA 94087
(408) 702-1172
Started by Henry Boney in 1943 in San Diego, Sprouts Farmers Markets today has over hundreds of locations. Farm Fresh Produce like roma tomatoes, potatoes, and fruits are available at comparable prices.
World Market
4050 Stevens Creek Boulevard
San Jose, CA 95129
(408) 247-3333
Though this is primarily a home decoration store, this place claims the best organic, farm fresh produce. I find the prices here a little exorbitant. This store has multiple locations throughout the greater San Jose metropolis.
Country Farm Produce
712 S Wolfe Rd
Sunnyvale, CA 94086
(408) 736-8377
I love this store! Not only do their tomatoes taste the best in the Bay Area, but they have the best prices. Started by Jay Waters in 1946, this chain now encompasses most of the West Coast, including Arizona and Washington states. This is the best place to buy a crate of mangoes and other citrus fruits.
Though this is a partial list of some of what the local farms have to offer, it’s best to check out each location to learn their selections. Remember that the best way to learn about locations of local farms and what they grow is to ask the farmers themselves!