To Market, To Market

Farm-fresh shopping options abound in the Sacramento region

 

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Spring is in the air in the Sacramento region, bringing beautiful weather, blooming plants and one of the largest farmers market scenes in the nation. While Sacramento shoppers can likely find a local market open for business year-round, rain or shine, the spring season signals the return of many popular spots that open in May.

The Sacramento region is home to more than 40 farmers markets - including the largest California Certified Farmers' Market in the state - where shoppers can find seasonal produce, meats, fish, breads, cheeses and countless other products. The Sacramento area's markets serve as prime locations to snag favorite items made or grown right in the region. Many markets also double as entertainment venues, featuring live music, food trucks, family activities, dog parks and more.

"When it comes to farmers markets, the options are endless in the Sacramento region," said Mike Testa, senior vice president of the Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau. "The vast array of locations and products available are truly reflective of the Sacramento farm-to-fork culture and are the perfect place for visitors to experience the flavors of the region."

Sacramento's chefs can often be spotted at area farmers markets picking up items for their evening menus, ensuring that diners are enjoying the freshest seasonal ingredients. One popular program will even allow shoppers to shadow a local chef while visiting the market, and to taste the fruits of their labor. Grange Restaurant's "Follow the Chef" invites participants to travel to downtown Sacramento's Cesar Chavez Park Farmers Market to talk about seasonal products with Chef Oliver Ridgeway. The tour ends with a Grange lunch made from the discussed ingredients. Tours begin in the spring and are led each Wednesday from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. For reservations and event dates, call 916-492-4450.

To find a farmers market near you, click here, here or here (Map sources: The Sacramento Bee and Sacramento County Agricultural Commissioner's Office). For more information on restaurants, farms and other activities in America's Farm-to-Fork Capital, visit farmtoforkcapital.com.

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About America's Farm-to-Fork Capital

Sacramento is the capital city to the largest producing state of agriculture in the nation. Locally, 70 percent of the region's land is agricultural, forest or other open space. The region also contains more than 1.5 million acres of active farmland and more than 40 regional farmers markets-including the largest Certified Farmers Market in California. Diners across the country enjoy meals containing ingredients produced in the Sacramento region. Led by the Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau, the farm-to-fork initiative is a year-round endeavor and collaborative process with the area's farmers and growers, chefs and restaurants, regional elected officials, and the people and organizations who are dedicated to the region's collective food system. More information can be found at farmtoforkcapital.com.