Great Certified Farmer's Markets in East County, San Diego, CA

Why Shopping At Farmers Markets is Good For Your Health? I love farmers markets. I don't shop super markets for fruit, vegetables and special foods. I buy all my fruit, vegetables, nuts, and eggs fresh every week at either the Ramona or Santee Farmer's Markets.

At the supermarket, you never know where your produce is coming from, how long it's been stored, or if pesticides have been used on it. Many of the commercial vegetables and fruits have little taste. As a writer, who spends a lot of time at the computer, I use it as a social outing as well. It's fun to meet people, talk to the vendors, get growing and cooking tips, and just relax. We meet friends there and chat while we are eating some wonderful, great food there. It is the highlight of my week, other than church. I feel good going home with quality, fresh food.

How Shopping At The Local Farmer's Markets Helps Our Neighborhood Economy?

I love knowing I am supporting local farming families and local food businesses. There are craft vendors that make their living there as well. When I shop at the farmers market, I know that my vegetables were not trucked hundreds or thousands of miles, then stored in a cooler for weeks. I know my purchase is supporting America and local families. Since we live in Alpine, Ca which does not have its own farmers market, we head for the nearest one, which is Santee. We have friends at the Ramona, Ca Farmers Market as well. Some weeks, we visit both. It is so much more enjoyable than a supermarket.

Lakeside Certified Farmers Market: My husband and I drove down there to take some pictures for this article. It had been a long time since we had visited this one. We thought we would check out what changes had taken place over the past few months. We were shocked to learn from the locals, that this one had closed down. Most of the articles I had read on the web gave the impression it was still going on. The locals told us that there were not enough vendors to keep it going. We were really saddened at that news. The struggling economy has taken a severe toll on many businesses and this farmers market one was of the casualties.

Ramona Certified Farmers Market:

The Ramona Certified Farmers' Market is held every Saturday from 8:30 am - 12:30 pm at Collier Park in Ramona. The exact address is 626 E. Street, Ramona, CA. The zip is 92065 if you want to get directions from Yahoo or Google maps. [ get directions ]. The director of the market in Ramona is Summer Hardesty who can be reached for more questions at 760-788-1924.

In the Ramona Farmer's market you will find local vendors that provide local organic fruits, vegetables, fresh honey and bee pollen, fresh eggs, and herbs. You can get great food, fresh squeezed lemon aide, and there are pony rides for the kids. It's a great time to stroll through and just enjoy your self. Ramona has some of the nicest vendors and really great products. I feel that each market is different in atmosphere and products. If you can shop at more than one, to benefit from the diversity that each market offers.

Santee Farmers Market: It is open on Wednesdays from 3pm until 7pm. The official address is 10445 Mission Gorge Rd in Santee, CA. If you need more information, call Adrea Hankins at 619-449-8427 who manages this market. This one is big and gets lot of visitors. This includes folks who used to visit the Lakeside one. If you get there late or missed lunch, you can eat tamales, smoked fish, fish tacos, authentic chili, and other great food. There is a huge variety of organic, fresh dates, nuts, jam, honey, fruit, and vegetables. Looking for fresh flowers? You can find some beautiful ones there. Have a sweet tooth or crave delicious bakery goods, then satisfy all your cravings while roaming through the market. When our own chickens are on strike, we buy organic eggs there as well.

Farmer's Markets are wonderful and support the people who live in your community. If you have never visited one, this is your week to start. There are other farmer's markets outside of the East County area. Visit Little Italy, City Heights, Hillcrest, La Jolla, North Park, or the Ocean Beach farmer's markets, if they are nearer to your home. North County has them too. I do hope you will visit one soon.

References:

http://santee.sandiegocountybuzz.com/farmersmarket

http://ramonafarmersmarket.ning.com/