Farmers markets in my neighborhood are open year-round, but I hear that in colder parts of the country, these temporary local produce heavens take a break during the colder months. If you live in a white winter town, I hope you’re now enjoying the warmer weather at your newly reopened farmers markets! These markets are where I get some of my favorite things: Peaches, plums and — pecan pie.

Yes, pecan pie — from Urban Green Cuisine’s booth at the Mar Vista Farmers’ Market,** to be exact. This market has a huge prepped food section, with a whole bunch of booths selling everything from kettle corn to burritos to barbecue, making the farmers market a weekly international food fest too!

Now, I usually can’t buy pecan pie, simply because they’re too big for a girl who lives alone. But Urban Green Cuisine sold little mini pecan tarts — yummy local organic delicacies for the farmers’ market shopper on the go. I nabbed one for $4 before browsing the aisles for healthier fare –

Why am I talking about a farmers market that’s probably nowhere near where you are? (Unless you’re a fellow Angelno — in which case, see you at the market!) I guess I’m curious what your particular farmers market is like too. What I love about these markets is that each one’s so different — and each one is also constantly morphing and changing, transforming itself with the seasons.

In fact, my “home” farmers market is actually the Santa Monica farmers market — which has the unfortunate distinction of having made national news due to an errant driver who sped through the market** a few years back. We’ve got much better barricades flanking the market now — and many more shoppers who come by for locavorian fare. In any case, this market’s very much a produce-centric affair, with most booths selling just fruits, veggies, and raw proteins (from free range eggs to grass-fed bison!) and just a couple stands offering hot eats.

At the Mar Vista market, in contrast, the prepped food stands get the bulk of the attention — or at least certainly have the longest lines, with people lined up eagerly awaiting chorizos, crepes, and cookies. A live DJ kept people entertained — and a green booth run by the Mar Vista Neighborhood Council’s Green Committee let people know about an upcoming green gardens tour that would show how pretty drought tolerant front yards could look!

I’ll actually be back at the Mar Vista market as a guest speaker at this Green Committee booth. If you’re in the neighborhood, stop by during market hours on Sun., July 11 to learn about green fashions — and see some of the latest eco-friendly styles!

In the meantime, support your local farmers market — especially if you’ve got a neighborhood pecan pie baker! Remember to take your reusable bag and reusable bottle to quench your hot weather thirst — and share what makes your farmers market unique in the comments.

Photos by Siel

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