Big thanks to StopFoodWaste.org for sharing favorite farmers markets and excellent food storage tips. Let’s buy local and eat it all up! This post is sponsored.
Farmers Markets are a great (admission-free) destination for the whole family to get some fresh air, while also gathering fruits and veggies for the week — and supporting local farmers!
Covid-19 Update: Most of these fresh food markets are back up and running but with some of our favorite family-friendly amenities like fruit sampling, live music, and splash pads on hold or only slowly returning.
The list of family-friendly markets | Produce storage guidelines to keep it all fresher longer
Kids’ Favorite East Bay Farmers Markets
A few of our favorite local farmers’ markets go beyond the freshest of fresh food to offer entertainment for the littles. Here are our children’s favorite weekly food-centered festivals:
Grand Lake Farmers Market (Saturdays 9-2)
Splash Pad Park sits at the nexus of Grand and Lakeshore Avenues, and this overflowing market often offers a bouncy house and a chance for little ones to get wet if they want to step into the fountain and live music. Sources tell us on a really sunny weekend, there’s face painting and balloon guy, too. Find out more about the Grand Lake Farmers Market.
Website >>
Downtown Berkeley Farmers’ Market (Saturdays 10-3)
Location (Center Street @ M. L. King, Jr. Way) is king with this market. Besides the local produce, live music, fresh pretzels, and apple cider, it’s adjacent to the Berkeley Public Library and the YMCA with more room to run on the lawns at the Cal Campus.
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Jack London Square Farmers’ Market (Sundays 9-2)
Kids love the proximity to boats and the train tracks, plus big kids will want to stop in at Plank for a round of skeeball. Stop by the kids’ corner for crafts and other fun activities for the whole family. There’s so much to do at Jack London Square for kids.
Website >>
Temescal Farmers’ Market (Sundays 9-1)
Rain or shine, the parking lot of the Claremont Ave DMV transforms on Sunday mornings to an urban village with a creek running through it. Kids love messing around in the creek, water or not, and parents love the coffee cart. Bring your wheels because a bike path takes you one block from the Market to Frog Park. There’s also a ton to do in Rockridge with your family.
Website >>
Kensington Farmers’ Market (Sundays 9-2)
Colusa Circle shuts down Oak View Ave and fills up with vendors on Sunday mornings and live musicians. Camp chairs invite you to sit and watch a while. This market isn’t usually overly crowded, yet is still well attended. Grab some fresh flowers along with your treats to eat.
Website >>
Up for a bigger adventure? Take the ferry to San Francisco’s Ferry Building Farmer’s Market on Saturdays from 8-2. There’s a lot to do in and around the Ferry Building with kids.
Lots More East Bay Farmers Market locations
On a mild weather day, pushing a stroller around any Farmers Market can be a pleasant enough experience. Here are a few more to add to your rotation.
Community Produce Stand (Various Roving Locations!)
Mandela Partners’ mobile markets bring fresh, high-quality, and sustainably grown fruits and vegetables to communities that are under-served by more established farmers market programs. See the map to find one near you. SNAP saves half.
Alameda Farmers’ Market
Haight Ave & Webster Street, Alameda
Tuesdays & Saturdays 9 am – 1 pm
Akoma Outdoor Market, East Oakland
Foothill & 73rd Ave in East Oakland
1st & Third Sundays of the month, 10 am – 3 pm
Berkeley, Downtown
Center Street @ M. L. King, Jr. Way
Saturdays 10 am – 3 pm
Berkeley, North
Shattuck & Vine
Thursdays 3 pm – 7 pm
Berkeley, South
Adeline Street & 63rd (near Sweet Adeline Bakery)
Tuesdays 2 pm – 6:30 pm
Castro Valley Farmers Market
Corner of Redwood Rd. & Norbridge Ave (Castro Valley BART)
Saturdays 9 am – 1 pm
El Cerrito Plaza Farmers’ Market
El Cerrito Plaza
Tuesdays & Saturdays 9 am – 1 pm
Grand Lake Farmer’s Market
Grand Ave. & Lake Park Ave.
Saturdays 9 am – 2 pm
Hayward Farmers Market
City Hall Plaza
Saturday 9 am –1 pm
Irvington Farmer’s Market, Fremont
Bay St & Trimboli Way, Fremont
Sundays 9 am – 2 pm
Jack London Square Farmer’s Market, Oakland
Jack London Square
Sundays 9 am – 2 pm
Kensington Farmers’ Market
Colusa Circle, Kensington
Sundays 9 am – 2 pm
Livermore Farmers Market
Second St between J and L Streets, Livermore
Sundays 9 am – 1 pm
Montclair Village, Oakland
La Salle Ave & Moraga Ave
Sundays 9 am – 1 pm
Newark Farmers Market @ New Park Mall
2086 Newpark Mall, Newark
Sundays 9 am – 1 pm
Old Oakland
9th St between Broadway & Clay
Fridays 8 am – 2 pm
Pinole Farmers Market
798 Fernandez Ave., Pinole
Saturdays 9 am – 1 pm
Pleasanton Farmers’ Market
46 W Angela Street, Pleasanton
Saturdays 9 am – 1 pm
Richmond Farmers Market
24th Street & Barrett Ave., Richmond
Fridays 8 am – 5 pm
San Leandro Farmers’ Market @ Bayfair
Bayfair Center, E 14th St.urbanvillageonline.com/markets/temescal
Saturdays 9 am – 1 pm
San Leandro Farmers’ Market, Downtown
1 Parrott Street @ E. 14th, San Leandro
Wednesdays 3 pm – 8:30 pm (Seasonal, May through October)
Temescal Farmer’s Market, Oakland
5300 Claremont Ave (DMV)
Sundays 9 am – 1 pm
Union City Farmers Market
30940 Watkins St., Union City
Saturdays 9 am – 1 pm
Summer Farmers Market Food Storage Tips
Best Produce Food Storage Tips via StopFoodWaste
Storing (Some) Food Outside of the Fridge: Some food items just taste better and last longer when stored outside of the fridge. A simple rule of thumb is that if something still needs to ripen, don’t put it in the refrigerator right away, keep it on the counter. Once ripe, these items can be moved into the refrigerator to prolong shelf life.
Berries: Everyone’s favorite! If you store berries correctly, they can last for over a week!
Tomatoes: Wondering when to store tomatoes in the fridge or on the counter? It depends on how ripe they are. Learning when to move them saves flavor (and food!).
Kids Favorites: Our kid-favorite fruits are Apples, Oranges, and Pears. Learn how to store them right so you don’t waste any.
Melons: Ever left the farmer’s market carrying a five-pound melon? Melons aren’t as hardy as they look. And the storage rules for watermelon and cantaloupe are different. Store them properly to ensure you get the most out of this summer fruit (because it is a serious bummer when you don’t)!
Carrots: Carrots are champions. Make sure you know to store carrots, revive them, and even make pesto from the greens!
Salad Greens & Lettuce: Delicate salad greens and lettuce have more in common with berries than you might think. Why do they both like to be nestled in a bed of clean paper towels?
Herbs: Store fresh herbs just like cut flowers in a jar with 1-2 inches of water and covered with a plastic bag in the fridge to maintain moisture. (Believe it or not, we’ve been able to use it for weeks this way).
Hearty Greens: – Keep sturdy, winter greens, such as chard, kale, collards, and bok choy, in a sealed container in the fridge and don’t wash until ready to cook.
Other tips on keeping produce fresh and eating it in time
Always shop with a list. Part of the joy of shopping at the farmers market is discovering new and seasonal produce, but using a list will keep you on track and reduce the temptation to take home a purple cauliflower if you already have a regular one in the crisper. More shopping tips >>
FIFO – First In First Out: When bringing home fresh produce, rotate the older stuff to the front or top. Use this Eat This First sign to let everyone know what food is a priority.
StopFoodWaste Fruit & Veggie Storage Guide: – Learn which fruits and vegetables stay fresh longer inside or outside the fridge with this storage guide. Post the guide on your fridge for quick reference (Available in Spanish and Chinese, too).
Need to use up a lot of produce – fast and easy!
- Roast it. Wilted veggies? Get in here.
- Soup it. Use up limp vegetables, leftover pasta, cheese ends, and even old ketchup.
- Freeze it. Prep now. Eat later. Thank yourself.
- Pickle it! You’d be surprised at how many things can become quick and easy refrigerator pickles.
- Popsicle it! Ugly fruit? No problem!
Thanks again to StopFoodWaste.org for sharing favorite farmers markets and excellent food storage tips. Let’s buy local and eat it all up! This post is sponsored.
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