Well, apparently a lot of people. Last Saturday was the second one in two weeks that I visited the surprisingly robust Farmer’s Market at Sunrise Mall, along with several hundred other people – just in the time frame I was there, about 20 minutes.
Both times, I treated myself to some garlic and cheese bread sticks from the Sacramento Baking Company, but last Saturday I added a loaf of the garlic-cheese bread so I’d have some throughout the week; really good stuff and at $3.75 for a very fresh loaf, a bargain and half.
Toss in a half dozen tomatoes, six or seven beautiful mottled plums I didn’t catch the name of, three white peaches, cucumbers (three for a dollar), red onions, yellow squash and red potatoes and I walked away with two paper bags of fresh groceries for under $20 and a great feeling about the area in which I live.
I haven’t incorporated this much wholesome food into my diet since I had a garden years ago.
The market is much more than fruits and vegetables though, with offerings from olive oils to entertainment to cheeses. Both weeks there were musicians playing, and this time I especially enjoyed a wonderful rendition of the Peter, Paul and Mary song “Where Have All The Flowers Gone?” You can stop and smell the roses – or should I say the flowers? There are a couple of vendors with a wide array of blossoms. Peruse the petals with a cup of java in one hand, if you want, because the coffee lady at one end offers Americano to lattes.
You can’t miss the marketplace. It’s located on the southeast side of the mall and from 8 a.m. to noon is intensely populated with white tent tops. There’s plenty of parking nearby, but it’s busy with children running around, so drive slowly and carefully. Be sure to bring your own bags to carry all your goodies.
See you Saturday!
