A Stroll Through Davis' Farmers Market

I don’t know if it’s because I’m a girl or because I wasn’t exposed enough to them as a kid, but I absolutely LOVE farmers markets. Luckily for us, we live in the middle of nowhere, which means we have plenty of local farmers bringing their goods to us from 8am to 1pm on Saturdays at Central Park in downtown Davis. While the vendors do sell slightly overpriced food, there’s something to satisfy everyone’s palate. And I promise you, the pros outweigh the cons.

Whenever I hit the farmers market, I make sure to bring an empty stomach, and if you plan on making the most of your trip, so should you. Naturally, the first thing I go for are the vendors, as poor a college student as I am. My typical brunch may consist of a hotdog from The Hotdogger, followed by a popsicle from Fat Face. There are a variety of other cuisines, and one of these days I plan on getting something from Kathmandu Kitchen or Raja’s for Indian food.

The main attraction, of course, is the fresh produce. These fruits and vegetables are always what’s in season, and that means it won’t wring your wallet dry. Unlike most grocery stores, most farmers will provide samples for readily eaten produce, so feel free to help yourself. And the best part? You can count on quality.

One thing I almost always get is raw apple juice. Believe me, you will never go back to regular bottled apple juice once you get a taste of this drink. At least, I haven’t. My boyfriend and I are such fans that we often go for the half gallon jug, not only because it’s more worth it (price per unit), but because a pint each isn’t enough to satisfy us.

I can never pass up on East & West Gourmet Afghan Food, known for their generous handouts of samples. Their specialty lays in their bolani, a flat baked bread with a vegetable filling, which they top with a variety of flavorful sauces. Their food is not only low-calorie but high in nutritional value, great in taste, and vegetarian, so there is no excuse not to give them a try. A warning to those who have yet to visit them: they may hand out more samples than you are able to eat.

There are a variety of other edible delights sold, including baked goods, nuts, cheese, and olive oil. You will also find people selling hand-made items as you near the end of your stroll under the roof, such as framed photography, jewelry, candles, or hand-spun yarn. The sweet aroma of corn will also hit your nose before you even see the kettle corn stand. Their popcorn is popped in a huge cauldron right there on the spot. It takes a lot of willpower not to cave in to buying a bag.

It’s getting colder and rainier in Davis, but a trip to the Davis farmers market never fails to brighten up my day. With delicious hot food, refreshing drinks and popsicles, an enormous variety of fruits and vegetables, tables of baked goods, hand-crafted creations, and free samples everywhere, the farmers market will leave your taste buds satisfied and your tummy full.