In an area 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 weeks when you'd like to avoid the weekend farmers' market crush, or you'd simply like some drama-free shopping at markets that will provide you with many of your necessities, consider one of the Bay Area's neighborhood markets.

The Fillmore Farmers' Market is located on Fillmore a couple blocks south of Geary, in the area that is being revitalized and rebranded as the Fillmore Jazz District. The market is small and mellow, with a jazz band playing that adds a festive background while you are shopping. The market has a small number of booths, but the variety represented would guarantee that you could come home with a basketful of produce to last you a few days.

When I attended the market on September 30, the following vendors were in attendance:

Bennett Valley Bakery (Santa Rosa). Breads and Pastries.
Calderon Organic Farm (Hollister). Various vegetables.
Happy Boy Farms (Freedom). Various vegetables, lettuces.
J & J Farms (Hughson). Stone fruit.
Mellow's Nursery & Farms (Silicon Valley). Peppers, fruits, flowers.
Rainbow Orchards (Camino). Apples.
Sukhi's. Prepared Indian foods.
Terry Farms (Denair). Okra, apples, cucumbers, figs. Various fruits and vegetables..
VB Farms (Watsonville). Berries.


The Fillmore Farmers' Market runs through November 18 this year. The market runs from 9 am to 1 pm on Saturdays, and is located at O'Farrell at Fillmore at the Fillmore Center Plaza. Metered parking on the street, or you can park in the Japantown parking lots.

This post is one in a series covering Bay Area neighborhood farmers' markets.
Temescal Farmers' Market (Sunday)
Berkeley Farmers' Market (Thursday)
Marina Farmers' Market (Saturday)
Fairfax Farmers' Market (Wednesday)

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In other news, this past week I attended a Farmstead Goat Cheesemaking class at the brand new San Francisco Cheese School. The school has a fun list of courses, and the class was informative and well-organized. For more information on the class that I attended, read Jeanne's informative post at World on a Plate.