Alemany Farmers’ Market, San Francisco, in autumn

Alemany Farmers' Market

We’ve finally made it to the Alemany Farmers’ Market and for the life of me I cannot figure out why we waited for so long. Perhaps we’ve been lazy, as we’re quite familiar with the UN Plaza and Ferry Plaza farmers’ markets? Or maybe it’s the confusing location of the Alemany market? It’s hard to find, nestled between highway 101 and Interstate 280. Plus the name is confusing. It’s on 100 Alemany Blvd. but you don’t actually enter from Alemany. And we’re silly about dates. This market is only open on Saturdays. In the past, we’ve thought of going at the last minute but always on Sundays, which doesn’t ever work.

The market has a long history according to the San Francisco government web site. It was opened in the 1940’s on Market and Duboce Streets but was eventually moved to the present location through a lot of political wrangling between the “will of the people,” the Board of Supervisors and “the opponents, masquerading under the apron strings of the officials at the Retail Grocers Association” until the current location and design of the market was developed. That sounds like a lot of exciting drama!

pumpkins

There were many yummy things on display at fairly cheap prices. Many of the market stalls offer organic produce and I saw numerous signs testifying that a lot of the marketers are CCOF or California Certified Organic Farmers. We’ve seen some of these folks at the UN Plaza market on Sundays, so I guess that we’re not totally out of the loop! The place is crowded with a lot of trendy Bernal Heights and Mission types, which makes people watching fun. Unfortunately, they allow cars to drive inside the market area. I was so distracted by the sights, smells, sounds and tastes that I worried that I might get run over! There are marvelous murals painted simply everywhere! That was one of the many distractions almost leading to my premature demise. It was a lot of fun shopping here.

heavy vehicular traffic at Alemany Farmers' Market

We bought two kinds of beets, various greens, some white guava, Persian limes (which I despise because to me they smell like cleaning products but Hegui loves), the ingredients for homemade kimchi and staples like garlic.

many vendors are CCOF California Certified Organic Farmers

they've got the beets at Alemany!

cool mural at Alemany

Aside from the fresh produce, there are a series of tents selling prepared products for lunch and some things like hummus, breads and olive oil that you can take home. I can’t wait to go back here. If you haven’t been already, you have to immediately, on a Saturday!

you look so hot!