In a city where we have one of the world's renowned farmers' markets, it is easy to overlook neighborhood markets. But the truth is that often we don't have the time or the will to elbow through the crowds at the Ferry Building. On the days when you wake too late to avoid the Ferry Plaza crush, or you'd simply like some drama-free shopping at markets that will provide you with many of your necessities, consider one of San Francisco's neighborhood markets.

The Marina Farmers' Market had a contentious beginning. After starting on Steiner street two years ago, the market was forced to close and put in jeopardy altogether due to disagreements between the farmers' market and local merchants. Now it's two years later, and the market has settled into a quiet location along Fillmore street next to Marina Middle School.

The market has approximately twenty booths, and you can pick up vegetables, fruits, prepared foods, fish, bread and flowers here. I did not see any egg sellers or meat sellers. I was happy to see Tory Farms at the market -- Tory Farms is a well-known stone fruit vendor who is adored by June Taylor and others in the Bay Area. Happy Boy Farms is a great farm near Santa Cruz, and they have a booth at the Marina Farmers' Market. Happy Boy is a polycultural farm and you can rest assured that whenever Happy Boy is at a market, most of your fruit and vegetable needs will be taken care of.

You can visit the Marina Farmers' Market on Saturdays from 10 am to 2 pm. It is located at Marina Middle School, on Fillmore between Chestnut and Bay Streets. There is parking behind the school for $5. The market runs between May 20 and October 29 this year.

Vendors at the market on July 15 when I went included:

Emporio Rulli. Pastries

Swank Farms (Hollister).

Calderon Organic Farm (Hollister). Artichokes, carrots, greens, cauliflower.

Rainbow Orchards. Blueberries

Kashiwase Farm (Winton). Stone fruit.

GL Alfieri (Ripon). Dried Fruit.

Happy Boy Farms (Freedom). Greens, corn, melon, tomatoes.

Rhodes Family Farm (Visalia). Tomatoes, zucchini, eggplant, peppers.

Tory Farms (Dinuba). Stone fruit.

Ferry Farms. Oranges, orange juice.

Brookside Fish Company (Palo Alto).

East & West Gourmet Food (Martinez). Prepared Afghan food.

Bay Bread (San Francisco). Breads and pastries.

Greg Young Fish. Wild Pacific Salmon.

Western Sun Floral. Cut flower bouquets.