San Francisco's Farmers' Markets: Where and When

Buongiorno.
Not everyone can get their sleepy selves to Alemany at 8 am on a Saturday. Trust me: I understand that. There are less painful options — but wherever you go, try and go early. Foodies know the good stuff, and always get to it first.

Here's a list of where and when to buy local and seasonal goods from the farmers themselves in our beloved (except when house-shopping) San Francisco. Go and grace your table with Northern California's bounty. Organic produce, grass-fed meats (including the extra-lean bison), wild-caught salmon and artisanal chocolate. Yes, you are correct: We're the lucky ones, and we're a little smug about it.

So get out to your local farmer's market and meet the farmers — they're the ones who can tell you definitively what's good and what's outstanding on any given week. You'll appreciate the difference, and so will your guests. Ask to sample, figure out what you like, and snap it up. Get acquainted with your food, and look forward to its return every season, like a long-lost friend.

Now if only life was always that reliable...

A presto,
Marco Flavio

Alemany
The first (and my very favorite) San Francisco farmers' market with over 50 stands, including local cheeses, baked goods, mushrooms, honey, and locally produced extra-virgin olive oils. Look for me with friends and Cook Here and Now group members on Saturday mornings.

Location: 100 Alemany Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94110 (Mission/Bernal Heights)

Year round/Seasonal: Year round, rain or shine

Days/Times: Sat. 6am-5pm

Ferry Plaza Farmers Market
This is the well-known one, where you bring your family from out-of-town or go to see and be seen with boutique produce. It features eclectic vendors, great vegetables, and excellent meat, but you'll pay dearly for all those adjectives. You'll also find chocolate, bison steaks, delightful chantrelle mushrooms and much more than produce. I admit it: This market is a guilty but often necessary pleasure. They also offer nutrition and cooking classes. See cuesa.org for a list of informative programs and local and seasonal food resources.

Year round/Seasonal:
Tuesday and Saturday markets are open year-round, rain or shine. Saturday is the big market day, with almost 100 vendors.
Sunday and Thursday markets are open May-December, rain or shine.

Days/Times:
Tuesdays: 10:00am-2:00pm — in front of the Ferry Building. Rain or shine.
Thursdays: 4:00pm-8:00pm  — ditto.
Saturdays: 8:00am-2:00pm — in front of the Ferry Building and in the back plaza. Rain or shine.
Sundays: 10:00am-2:00pm — in front of the Ferry Building. Rain or shine.

Location
The Ferry Building, where Market Street meets the Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94111

Fillmore San Francisco Certified Farmers' Market
This one has a great friendly neighborhood feel to it, with live jazz and hot coffee.

Year round/Seasonal:
Seasonal: April through November 18, every Saturday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.

Location
O'Farrell at Fillmore, and Fillmore Center Plaza

Marina California Certified Farmers' Market
Another excellent resource, all from California Certified Producers. Also a happening scene.

Year round/Seasonal:
Seasonal: Every Saturday, May 20th through October 29th; 10am to 2pm.

Location:
Marina Middle School, on Fillmore between Chestnut and Bay Streets
Parking behind school $5.00

Civic Center
A viable alternative, but not the one to take the visiting in-laws to see — the neighborhood can get sketchy. Do stop by, especially on a Sunday morning, and afterwards head to lunch at the Asian Art Museum (restaurant open to the public, no admission required).

Year round/Seasonal:
Year round: Every Wednesday and Sunday, 7am to 4pm

Location
Market St and Hyde St.
San Francisco, CA

Crocker Galleria
A welcome addition for all of us working stiffs downtown, this market is a chance to have a picnic lunch and bring home some California-grown seasonal fruit and produce from about 20 vendors.

Year round/Seasonal:
Year round: Every Thursday, 11am to 3pm

Location
50 Post Street at Montgomery
San Francisco, CA 94104

San Francisco Kaiser Market
A nice range of vendors, and kudos to Kaiser for bringing it to us.

Year round/Seasonal:
Year round: Every Wednesday, 10am to 2pm

Location
Kaiser Medical Center, 2425 Geary Blvd. (at Divisadero)
San Francisco, CA 94118

Noe Valley farmers' Market

Year round/Seasonal:
Year round: Open every Saturday, 8 am - 1pm
Open 8 am - 5 p.m. October 21 for the Noe Valley Harvest Festival.

Location
In the Noe Valley Ministry’s new parking lot on 24th Street between Sanchez and Vicksburg.
San Francisco, CA

Bayview Farmers' Market
The latest and most welcome addition, added in 2005.

Year round/Seasonal:
Seasonal: May through mid-December. Every Saturday, 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Location
Third and Galvez streets
San Francisco, CA

Comments

[Eric Cohen]

M,
We met at Ritual a week or 2 ago-- wanted to let you know that we are holding our guided tour of the Alemany Market on Sept 23-- I know you are hip to the market already, but we hope to provide a bit more insight than usual... For more info-- slowfoodsanfrancisco.com >> events...
Hope to see you around--

Love what you are doing--
Cheers,
E