The Alemany Farmer's Market - San Francisco

Established 1943
Alemany Farmers Market,100 Alemany Blvd, 101 Saturdays, 6AM-6PM



Mountain Grown Blueberries from Rainbow Orchards, Camino, Ca.




Because I was on the South side of town, doing some breakfast research for my Be Rachael Ray for the Day Challenge, I asked my Bernal Heights friend, Penny, if she would guide me on my first visit to San Francisco's oldest farmers market, established in 1943, in nearby Alemany.

The Farmer's Market is generally recognized as the greatest single contribution to the betterment of the relationship between the City of San Francisco and rural areas.

You can read more here about the history of Alemany Farmers Market. Although the emphasis at Alemany is not on organic, sustainable agriculture like at the Ferry Building Market, you can be sure that Alemany is supporting small, local farms. I would guess that only about 20%, or less, of the stalls were selling organic produce, but there was a wide variety of both common and unusual vegetables for sale nonetheless. I even bought some rice paddy plant leaves! Sorrel was only 50 cents a bunch ($2 at the Ferry Buidling). Alemany definitely seems to be a cheap, lively and interesting place to shop.



Banana Dates. Taste just like their name would suggest. Full of Fibre, and less sweet when eaten before they are totally ripe. They pucker your mouth up. Our conclusion: "Interesting".



After trying a few Indian nibbles at this East & West Gourmet Foods stall coming from the Concord area, I had to make a few purchases. Now I am the proud owner of some spicy, delicious chilli jam, garlic mint cheese and spinach bolani. Somehow, I don't think they will last too long.



Want to see where your eggs are coming from? Here is the evidence. I spotted this truck, next to an egg stand, just outside of the regular market. The chickens don't look like they have quite the same freedom as Marin Sun Farms...




PS - I liked the Alemany market, but not as much as the Ferry Building Market. Sure, most of the produce is much cheaper, but a lot of it isn't organically grown. The advantage of the Ferry Building is also that I can get everything I need in one place: meat, charcuterie, cheese, dairy, chocolate, etc. After a morning at Alemany I would still need journey elsewhere for fresh meat and dairy produce.

Archive Alert! On this date in 2004 we were in the midst of the Olympic Games, do you remember? In honour of the event I hosted a Greek Feast for 19 friends.

posted in Food and Eat Local and Farmers Market and San Francisco

The Alemany Farmer's Market - San Francisco