By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
TO MARKET, TO MARKET ...
Living In San Joaquin Valley Gives You Great Access To Fresh Produce
FARM MAIN
Scenes showing vendors at farmers markets last year in Manteca, Ripon, Stockton, and Pleasanton. DENNIS WYATT/209 Living

Finding fresh produce isn’t hard in the 209.

That’s a given considering the San Joaquin Valley produces nearly half of this nation’s domestically grown fruits, vegetables and nuts according to the United States Department of Agriculture. Essentially no one else in this country — or perhaps the world — has access to such a variety of locally grown farm fresh produce.

Besides seasonal and year-round produce stands dotting country roads as well as major highways such as East Highway 120 between Manteca and Escalon you will find a host of farmers markets often complete with fresh bread, flowers, entertainment, jams, and items such humus and olive oils.

And if you want a change of scenery, the farmers markets just over the hill in Pleasanton and Livermore can be a pleasant diversion.

For example, if you want a half day excursion, the market Saturday morning in Pleasanton may be the perfect destination. It literally livens up Pleasanton’s downtown thanks to it being one of the largest around and the fact that within a block are restaurants with large expansive outdoor seating under stately trees as well as nearby specialty shops.

While most people stick close to home, heading out of town can make a trip to a farmers market more than just a fresh produce shopping trip.

And if you take an ice chest using recycled plastic water bottles and drink bottles with frozen water to keep the produce fresh, you can easily explore a different town and any boutique or culinary offerings they have near the farmers market.

Suggestions include the Dust Bowl Brewery combined with a visit to the Turlock Farmers Market, stopping by the old-fashioned Ice Cream Emporium on a Tuesday trip to the Ripon farmers market or breakfast/lunch at Frank’s on Maple Avenue at the Saturday Manteca market.

It’s a great way to explore the area, try a different dining experience, and mix up your farmers market shopping.

A quick rundown of 19 farmers markets are as follows:

 

WEDNESDAY

ESCALON: Third Wednesdays from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on May 17, June 21, July 19, and Aug. 16 at the Main Street Park.

 

THURSDAY

MODESTO: The Modesto farmers market is from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. through Nov. 16 alongside the Stanislaus County Library on 16th Street between H and I streets in downtown Modesto.

LIVERMORE: The Livermore farmers market is from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. through Oct. 13 at Carnegie Park at Third & J Streets in downtown Livermore.

RIPON: The Ripon Farmers Market is on Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. through September in the parking lot of Studio Joy, 929 W. Main St.

LODI: Lodi Farmers Market is from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. through August at 35 S. School St. in downtown.

STOCKTON: Weberstown Mall farmers market is open Thursdays through November from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the corner of March Lane and Pacific Avenue in front of Dillard’s.

 

SATURDAY

MANTECA: Market on Maple is Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. through the end of October. It is in the 100 block of Maple Avenue between Yosemite Avenue and Center Street.

TURLOCK: The Turlock certified farmers’ market is from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. through October along East Main Street in Turlock.

TRACY: The Saturday Tracy farmers market is from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 10th Street between Central and B Street operates year-round.

MODESTO: The Modesto farmers market is from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. through Dec. 16 alongside the Stanislaus County Library on 16th Street between H and I streets in downtown Modesto.

STOCKTON: The Stockton farmers market is from 6:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. under the Crosstown Freeway between El Dorado and San Joaquin streets across from St. Mary’s Catholic Church and is open year-round.

PLEASANTON: The Pleasanton farmers market is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Main and West Angela Street in downtown Pleasanton year-round.

RIVER ISLANDS AT LATHROP: At the River Islands Ballpark 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. June through December.

 

SUNDAY

LIVERMORE: The Livermore farmers market is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the historic Train Depot at 206 S. J St. in downtown Livermore is open year-round.

STOCKTON: The Park West Place farmers market is open every Sunday through Oct. 29 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Park West Shopping Center in front of the Lowe’s garden center.

STOCKTON: Weberstown Mall farmers market is open every Sunday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. year-round at the corner of March Lane and Pacific Avenue in front of Dillard’s.

MANTECA: Orchard Valley farmers market is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Lifestyle Street at the shopping complex at Union Road and the 120 Bypass.

MOUNTAIN HOUSE: The Mountain House farmers market is at 251 E. Main St. year-round from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

DISCOVERY BAY: The Discovery Bay farmers market is Sundays from 8 a.m. through 1 p.m. through November at the Discovery Bay Marina, 5871 Marina Road.

FARM 2
FARM 3