CFM Los Angeles

Orchids Aplenty
Originally uploaded by kardinalsin.

What does everyone think of the Farmers Market? Well, not the Los Angeles Farmers Market, but any fresh and local produce market in general? Some would like to think that it's a local phenomenon, but they're becoming more common now than they were in the past. A lot of it, I think, has to do with consumers wanting higher quality ingredients for reasonable prices, but a lot of it may also come with people being more willing to grow their own foods. While the convenience of a supermarket cannot be argued with, there's something to be said about the freshness and quality of a homegrown tomato. Thing is, not every Farmers Market is about the produce.

Case in point, the Calabasas Farmers Market, which like many other cities, has its own fair on the weekends. You do see the usual tomatoes, peaches, nectarines, grapes, and strawberries, but you also see other homemade goods, like the wasabi peanuts we grabbed (they pack a wallop) and the handmade tamales. You'll also find clothing, art, and jewelry among the piles of broccoli and cauliflower. I usually like to take a walk around and peek at each booth, especially because most of the times the food is delicious enough when just looking at it.

So, while it's pretty darn healthy to shop in the outer aisles of your local grocery, there's much more to shopping at your local Market than pretty apples. Here's a complete list of a few in the area one may want to frequent.