I heard a lot of great things about this farmer’s market from people and various publications. I read that local chefs go there to shop for fresh local ingredients. Recently I heard that people who have been going to this market for years were unhappy, because big restaurants from the east coast have agents who buy up all the great hard to find ingredients directly from the participating farmers. The locals don’t even get a chance at all the unique and wonderful produce and are upset.
I have been living in the Santa Monica area since 1999, one would guess that I might have been to this market at least once, but I haven’t. Not till today. It’s not because I never had a free Wednesday morning, but it’s more of not remembering that there is farmer’s market on wednesdays, so close to my house. (I thought farmer’s markets only opens on Sundays). This morning, I was ready to participate in the Santa Monica tradition.
In the past, I have been to Beverly Hills farmer’s market, where I tried my first Kettle Corn and fell in love with it, and indulged in crepes and other awsome breakfast items. I drove down to 2nd and Arizona on an empty stomach with high anticipation of beautiful breakfast that would soon fill my belly. When I got there I saw lots of people and numerous parasols that filled the street and was very excited to be part of it. My excitement soon turned into disappointment, when I found out that there were no breakfast food being served there. 90% of all stands there were fresh produce. I had to fill my stomach from one stand where they sold premade food – Rockenwager bakery’s Blueberry Scone. It was yummy, but after such high expectation I was still hungry.
After I partially filled my stomach with the scone, I looked around the market looking for produce that would inspire me to cook. I bought Dill, Cilantro, Arugula, Cage Free Eggs, Chinese Broccoli, Tomato, and the sweetest Strawberries. All of the produce were so fresh and looked very tasty.
If I can remember to go, I would definitely go back and buy my veggies and fruit at this market. But next time, I am having my breakfast before heading over there.
