Farmers Market at the Ferry Building

by Tokyo Terrace on June 19, 2009

One of my favorite ways to spend a Saturday morning in the summer is meandering through farmers markets. I love watching the people who sell produce that they have grown and taken care of with their own two hands. Seeing the proud look on their faces as they present their offerings to passersby gives me a sense of peace. It is clear that they have put all that they are into something some would carelessly toss into their grocery cart at the store.

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From what I have seen, at the farmers market, this is not the case. Those who shop at the farmers market take just as much pride and joy in the food as those who grew or made it.

When Brad and I went to San Francisco, we were lucky enough to be there on a Saturday. This meant we could attend the farmers market at the Ferry Building. Heaven!

The bright colored poppies…

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Perfectly stacked onions…

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Deep green and bright red Swiss chard…

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Every table we passed had its own special presentation and showed a love for food that gets lost in the convenience of fast food and microwave meals.

On this particular day, with the warm sun soaking into my back, I gazed at many foods I have longed for while living in Japan. After making a pass through the entire market, I knew exactly what we should have for lunch. Something simple and representative of the freshness and uncomplicated appeal of natural food.

We stopped to buy some Meyer lemon and rosemary bread…

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Then for some goat cheese that was made only the day before…

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Then for the creme de la creme: an heirloom tomato.

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And so, while listening to a folk band playing just behind us, we took our fresh finds and put together sandwiches with torn pieces of bread, juicy, red tomatoes and light, tangy goat cheese. Paired with some refreshing iced tea, this was the perfect meal to enjoy while sitting on a bench overlooking the bay.

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It was a Saturday that reminded why I love farmers markets the way I do.

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  • http://oysterfoodandculture.com/ oysterculture

    Yup, we’re spoiled here in San Francisco. So it sounds like you had a wonderful time on your trip to SF.

  • http://oysterfoodandculture.com oysterculture

    Yup, we’re spoiled here in San Francisco. So it sounds like you had a wonderful time on your trip to SF.

  • http://kennychiceats.blogspot.com/ KennyT

    What a relaxing Saturday! This is how I would like to spend a Saturday with the one I love. Thanks for sharing.

  • http://kennychiceats.blogspot.com/ KennyT

    What a relaxing Saturday! This is how I would like to spend a Saturday with the one I love. Thanks for sharing.

  • kissmyspatula

    oh, i’m so glad you were able to hit such a haven on such a glorious day! your photos took me right back there!

  • kissmyspatula

    oh, i’m so glad you were able to hit such a haven on such a glorious day! your photos took me right back there!

  • http://fivestarfoodie.blogspot.com/ Natasha – 5 Star Foodie

    The farmer’s market looks wonderful and those heirlooms are gorgeous!

  • http://fivestarfoodie.blogspot.com Natasha – 5 Star Foodie

    The farmer’s market looks wonderful and those heirlooms are gorgeous!

  • http://dragonlife.wordpress.com/ dragonlife

    Dear rachael!
    Greetings!
    We seem to share a common feeling: whenever I leave Shizuoka, or japan for that matter, the first thing or place I want to visit is the locla markets!
    You just can beat them! And you lean so much from them! And it is such a great social occasion!
    Thanks for sharing!
    Cheers,
    Robert-Gilles

  • http://dragonlife.wordpress.com/ dragonlife

    Dear rachael!
    Greetings!
    We seem to share a common feeling: whenever I leave Shizuoka, or japan for that matter, the first thing or place I want to visit is the locla markets!
    You just can beat them! And you lean so much from them! And it is such a great social occasion!
    Thanks for sharing!
    Cheers,
    Robert-Gilles

  • tokyoterrace

    You are totally spoiled! I am going to be longing for that farmers market for a very long time…

  • tokyoterrace

    You are totally spoiled! I am going to be longing for that farmers market for a very long time…

  • tokyoterrace

    It was the perfect day. Nothing better!

  • tokyoterrace

    It truly was wonderful. I bet you miss that farmers market being away from SF!

  • tokyoterrace

    It was the perfect day. Nothing better!

  • tokyoterrace

    It truly was wonderful. I bet you miss that farmers market being away from SF!

  • tokyoterrace

    Robert-Gilles: Have you ever seen anything similar to a farmers market in Japan?

  • tokyoterrace

    Robert-Gilles: Have you ever seen anything similar to a farmers market in Japan?

  • tokyoterrace

    The heirlooms were absolute perfection. So juicy and delicious! I could have eaten 5 of them all by myself…

  • tokyoterrace

    The heirlooms were absolute perfection. So juicy and delicious! I could have eaten 5 of them all by myself…

  • http://dragonlife.wordpress.com/ dragonlife

    Actually yes! In a different manner, maybe but plenty!
    Now, Tokyo is the wrong place, I’m afraid!
    If you come to country side in Shizuoka, You will have a hard time going back to Tokyo!LOL

  • http://dragonlife.wordpress.com/ dragonlife

    Actually yes! In a different manner, maybe but plenty!
    Now, Tokyo is the wrong place, I’m afraid!
    If you come to country side in Shizuoka, You will have a hard time going back to Tokyo!LOL

  • Aunt J in Hendersonville

    Loved this post (wanted to frame the pics and hang them in my kitchen for inspiration – especially the onion display)!
    Beautiful post – just beautiful!

  • Aunt J in Hendersonville

    Loved this post (wanted to frame the pics and hang them in my kitchen for inspiration – especially the onion display)!
    Beautiful post – just beautiful!

  • vicariousmom

    When you were a toddler, I took you to the Minneapolis Farmer’s Market in your red wagon. You were always content and made room for the wonderful food we selected. Those were sweet days.

    This post is beautiful. It reminds me of so many early mornings with two little girls and a red wagon.

  • vicariousmom

    When you were a toddler, I took you to the Minneapolis Farmer’s Market in your red wagon. You were always content and made room for the wonderful food we selected. Those were sweet days.

    This post is beautiful. It reminds me of so many early mornings with two little girls and a red wagon.

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