The Archives of My Mind

How about picking up some fresh produce from a local farmers market this Sunday? Well if you’re in the San Francisco Bay Area, the farmers market locations listed below are worthy of checking out in Santa Clara County.

These local farmers markets are year-round and the list below is a collection of about ten that operate only on Sundays..

Los Gatos

For you early birds, head out to Los Gatos Farmers Market. The market’s hours of operation are every Sunday from 8 am-1:30 pm on Montebello Way at Broadway.

This market features organic and non-organic produce, fresh fish, cheese, dried fruits, nuts, beans, herbs, specialty spreads and dressings, preserves, juice, fresh cut flowers, and freeze-dried flower arrangements and wreaths in season. Last but not least an oyster bar. For more info call 408-353-4293.

Japantown

From 8:30 am – noon rain or shine go to San Jose’s Japantown Farmers Market on Jackson Street at North 7th Street. This is an independent and certified market near the heart of downtown San Jose.

Volunteer opportunities are available at this market. Go to their website for more info japantownsanjose.org/market.html.

Milpitas

As of April 1, the Milpitas Farmers Market has reopened. This market is located at 525 Los Coches Street at Hillview in the side lot of the Indian Community Center.

Featured farmers can be found here: pcfma.com/marketproducer.php?market_id=8. Thanks to a City of Milpitas and Indian Community Center partnership, this market will be an ongoing year-round Sunday happening.

Palo Alto

Palo Alto Farmers Market also showcases locally grown produce from 9 am – 1 pm on Sundays. Most of their stands feature organic produce, but some comments on Yelp claim that their prices are higher than other local farmers markets.

If you don’t mind spending a buck or two more, check out this Sunday Peninsula market on California Avenue at El Camino Real in Palo Alto. For more info about this market call 510-745-7100.

Stay posted for part two of this Sunday farmers market report.

One thing is certain about these farmers markets, their produce is California grown and less expensive than store bought produce. Some farmers travel all the way from Sacramento to deliver their farms fresh picks. So go out and support these local growers.

I’ve search far and wide, high and low for every single Sunday farmers market in Santa Clara County. This article will complete my thorough investigation. Take the following places into consideration next time you head out for fresh produce.

Santana Row

Feel like taking a nice stroll, perhaps checking out a new Gucci bag before shopping for produce? Santana Row’s year-round Sunday Market is perfectly suited for the shopaholic Sunday lounger.

Hours of operation are from 11 am – 3 pm between and it’s located on Olin Avenue and Tatum Lane in Piazza di Valencia. Items on showcase include fruit, seasonal vegetables, oven fresh breads, giant prawns, cheeses, salad dressings, sauces, Indian foods, hot soups and olive oils.

It’s smaller than most of the local markets with only ten or eleven vendors, but it’s a nice addition to the already existing attractions at Santana Row.

Blossom Hill

For those in the southern most part of the South Bay, visit the Blossom Hill Farmers Market in the Princeton Plaza Mall at Kooser and Meridian Avenue. Hours of operation are from 10 am – 2 pm.

This certified farmers market features approximately forty growers mostly from the San Joaquin Valley with some local vendors. Shopping hint: 1:30 pm till their 2 pm closing time, vendors are allowed to negotiate prices.

This market is a meat, poultry and dairy free zone. For more information about this farmers market, you can go to cafarmersmkts.com/blossom.html.

Campbell Urban Village

For you large farmers market lovers, Campbell’s Urban Village Market offers a local favorite – Greenlees Cinnamon Bread. A famed Artichoke Hummus maker from Petaluma with car salesmen antics sets up shop here as well. Buy into his sales, te dip is to die for.

This certified market was voted Best of South Bay Farmers Markets by San Jose Mercury News and Wave Magazine. Yelper’s also claim this market to the best in the South Bay.

It’s located at Campbell Avenue and Second Street and its hours of operation are from 9 am – 1 pm. For more information about this market go to urbanvillageonline.com.

Alum Rock

Alum Rock Village Farmers Market features, the cheapest produce in comparison to the rest of the other markets. According to massive amounts of reviews, this is not a trendy Sunday afternoon place to hang.

This is however the best place for deals. It’s hours of operation are from 9 am to 1 pm and is located on White Road in San Jose.

Mountain View

Last on the hunt, is the Mountain View Farmers Market located at Hope Street at W Evelyn outside of the Cal Train Station. This market averages about seventy parishioners says cafarmersmkts.com.

It rates average on the price meter according to comments I’ve collected. However this market is located at the beginning of Castro Street in Mt. View which is a cool downtown area strip of shops and cool restaurants. It’s a nice break from Santana Row, with an old school but nice Bay Area vibe worth checking out during a lazy Sunday stroll.

The real inspiration for this investigation is the fact that April is earth month. So what better way to celebrate your tree hugging inner-child than by checking out one of these neighborhood markets.