Downtown Berkeley Farmers' Market

See my most recent review from 2019 and it's pretty much the same. All of my faves are gone. It used to be that I would come here with a bounce in my step - looking for my favorite food finds, running into an old friend or relative, talking with the vendors, and pursuing the goods. But now, it's a shell of what it used to be and the food is stuff I can find in other places. Old standards such as Phoenix Pastifico is there, the fish people are there, the raw chocolate people are there. The Thai food place is there, but one of the two owners doesn't like black people (my experience - see my review).Another issue is that the meh market has no parking. Is that their fault? No it isn't, but spending up to 45 minutes going up and down streets for parking isn't cool. You'd think that they'd try to find a solution, but they don't care because they just want people on bikes riding around.I would not go out of my way to this market for anything! There are plenty of other good markets around them in Oakland, Alameda, Ferry Building and so on. Just go to one of those and leave this one alone!

Poke, pickled goods, local meats and seafood, fresh vegetables and fruit produce, and food stands!What they were lacking were some benches, but I guess the grass on the park near this market, will do!Spot on and great for the stroll while in Berkeley!

Great Farmer's Market in the Bay Area. I went here recently after not visiting here for quite awhile. I have been frequenting the Ferry Building Farmer's Market in Downtown SF. Both are great yet really liked Downtown Berkeley having wild Chanterelle mushrooms. These are rare and they are expensive yet haven't seen them at the farmer's markets in SF. My friend used to forage them when I lived in the Pacific NW so nice to see them here.I picked up lots of seasonal fruit. Persimmons, apples, pears, plums, and pluots. I am a huge fan of persimmons and love that they are available during the Autumn season in CA when they are in season. Ripe mangoes are probably my favorite fruit with ripe persimmons being a close second. Pomegranate are also in season.If you are in the Bay Area or East Bay hop over to the Downtown Berkeley Farmer's Market to pick up some fresh produce. You can do no better than to visit here.

We were on our way to a Berkeley eatery for breakfast when we passed this Saturday Berkeley Farmers Market. So we had to stop on the way back. It is a small spread, but relaxing and eventful to be at this Farmers Market. As expected, the accent is on fresh, organic and local products, farms and foods. Many choices. We bought pupusas from La Oaxaquena (they were raw, dough needed to be cooked, threw almost all of it when I decided to eat it a few hours later). And bought several fresh baked goods from Frog Hollow Farm Kitchen (see separate review). I also tasted several unique and creamy craft hummus products from Abour foods. If I had more time, I would have bought more. Overall, a very pleasant experience of novel samples, discovery of new tastes and friendly vendors.

This is a small market. You can find veggies fruits and hot food. It was good to check out if you have 20 minutes to spare.

I think the Ecology Center puts on a really well organized and safe farmer's market! They have chalk marks on the ground directing where lines should wrap and how far apart to stand. People do a great job of wearing masks, the vendors included. Every vendor I've bought from has been nice and informative, but special shout out to Four Sisters Organic for the most beautiful organic wildflower bouquets. I got there early on Valentine's weekend to get one!It is a smaller market - it spans one street during the winter time and another half of a street during the warmer months. Personally I feel overwhelmed in gigantic, crowded markets so this is a better pace for those like me. I'm not deducting a star for something the market can't help but do want to let people know - the area is typical Berkeley. Do NOT leave anything visible in your car, and stash valuables away in your trunk before you leave your house. There's usually broken glass on the street where I can see cars were broken into. The grassy expanse next to the market has its fair share of what looks like transients, with their belongings and generally maskless. I just walk far away and enter the market from another area. Also plan your restroom trips ahead of time!

This is not a very big farmers' market compared with a lot of farmers' markets I have been visited. But it is in the heart of Berkeley. Downtown Berkeley Farmers' Market is right in the middle of the downtown financial area. The city blocked out the street and turn it into a farmers' market on the weekend. They have the COVID notice posted right at the entrance of the market. Most of the customers are following the instructions with face masks on their faces. The market has a coffee stand and a couple of food stands for the customers who wanted food or drink when you're shopping at the market. It seems they're the busiest spots of the whole farmers' market. Trying to get street parking is not easy and the parking meters are still enforced on Saturday. Sunday is no charge for parking at Downtown Berkeley.

Make no mistake that Berkeley is a foodie's paradise. After all, not every city has a Gourmet Ghetto, so it would have to be de riguer for a city like Berkeley to have a constant supply of fresh organic produce to its discriminating residents. I actually wasn't aware that the Ecology Center sponsors a farmers' market three times a week in three different locations. I'm usually in Berkeley only on the weekends, so the Saturday market on Center Street between Milvia and MLK Way is the one I most frequent. Over fifty vendors sell not only produce but also prepared foods, baked goods, and flowers (photo: http://bit.ly/2pEIsfU).Unlike the Kensington Farmers' Market (review: http://bit.ly/2INZn8g), this one has width (photo: http://bit.ly/2DNOTlT), so the chances of getting elbowed by an aggressive vegetarian are greatly diminished. It's open from 10AM to 3PM, and it never feels overly crowded. The selections here are always robust as mounds of carrots (photo: http://bit.ly/2pxW39j) and crates of sweet peppers (photo: http://bit.ly/2udmYw3) are common sights. Sure, it's no Union Square Greenmarket (review: http://bit.ly/2HY0Uri) or even a Ferry Plaza Farmers' Market (review: http://bit.ly/2FZvynu), but it is more than adequate for the ratatouille you want to make tonight.

Farmers market in small open space. Good offerings and friendly vendors. Easy in and out.

This is my favorite farmers market in the Bay Area. There are usually a good range of food stands, some excellent bread, and fun stuff like chocolates and pastries, but the real reason to go is for the veggies and fruit. There is more organic produce here than any other market (except maybe the other Berkeley Ecology markets on Tuesday and Thursday), the variety is excellent and the quality is always top notch. I am very spoiled by it. Yes, you can get the same kinds of produce cheaper in the grocery store, but the freshness and quality are not the same there - even at a place like Berkeley Bowl. And I love the social element, talking to the farmers and seeing neighbors. Visiting this market always makes me happy, regardless of how tough the rest of the world is.