Going Local: San Ramon Farmer's Market Opens

It's back!

The fourth annual San Ramon Farmers Market opens Saturday, offering San Ramon residents the perfect alternative to mundane grocery store shopping.

"It's true to me, if you go a grocery store and you have a list, you are in the mentality that this is a chore," said Farmer's Market Manager Alisha Meloy. "If you go to the farmers market, you are buying food with a more positive attitude, it's very peaceful and relaxing and it's a lot of fun."

The benefits extend beyond the shopper and into the community, said Meloy. Buying locally grown food helps encourage environmental sustainability and puts money into the pockets of neighborhood farmers, which in turn helps stimulate the local economy.

"The more money you put into your community, the better off we will be at the end of the day," Meloy said.

Shoppers can find more than just locally grown produce. This year's Farmer's Market showcases local vendors, artisans, even live music. (Tomorrow soulful singer and songwriter Kerry Wing performs).

Also new this year is farm fresh eggs from Great Valley Poultry, Nuernberger's German Sausage, Elegant Brie, and  French Vignette, which is selling lavender soaps and wine from the Sterling Albert Winery.

And you can't get more local than San Ramon-based Gourmet Butters and Green Lantern Catering, both featured vendors this month.

The San Ramon Farmers Market also puts shoppers in touch with a piece of San Ramon's own history: The Farmers Market is located at the Forest Homes Farm historical park, just off of San Ramon Valley Blvd.

"Most people really, really enjoy it," Meloy said. "And that's kind of the sense that people get once they actually go, they don't want to go to any other market."

At a Glance

San Ramon Farmer's Market, located at 19953 San Ramon Valley Blvd., is open every Saturday, May 15 through the end of October, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Find out more by visiting the Farmer's Market Web site.