Laguna Niguel CFM
Posted on 06.29.10
 Located in the parking lot of a busy strip mall in an upscale neighborhood, the setting of the Laguna Niguel certified farmers market seems unlikely. However, the difficult parking and crowded aisles belie the fact that this is by far the best place for area residents to do their weekend produce shopping.
Because of the small space allotment, the layout of this medium-sized market is not the easiest to navigate. Two long rows lie parallel, with vendors crowding either side. Because you can’t really get a quick overview of everything offered, I recommend that unfamiliar visitors plan on walking the whole market twice–first to scope out the vendors and then to make purchases. One of the highlights of visiting a farmer’s market this time of year is the outstanding stone fruit -I love the organic peaches from Sweet Tree Farms. Also don’t miss sampling the raw honey from Honey Pacifica of Long Beach. This may be my favorite local honey.
The OC Register/ Food Frenzy blog also had a great article about this market a few weeks back. Check it out here for more information:
The Laguna Niguel market runs from 9 to 1 every Sunday in the parking lot of Plaza de La Paz near the intersection of La Paz and Pacific Park/ Oso.
Laguna Niguel Certified Farmers Market Stats
Number of vendors: 20
- citrus: yes
- stone fruit: yes
- strawberries: yes
- leafy greens: yes
- fresh veggies: yes
- sprouts: no
- avocados: yes
- mushrooms: no
- bread/ bakery: yes
- cheese: yes
- meat: yes
- fish: yes
- eggs: yes
- honey: yes
- pasta: yes
- tamales: yes
- coffee: no
- juices: no
- prepared foods: yes
- plants: yes
- cut flowers: yes
- crafts: no
Last visit: 6.13.2010. The above information is correct to the best of my knowledge based on a personal visit. If you have updated information please post a comment or send Rachael by email at localoranges at gmail dot com.
Irvine Tuesday CFM
Posted on 05.09.10
 When I first walked up to the Irvine Tuesday market in the Irvine Historical Village, I was honestly underwhelmed. At first glance, it appeared to be so small that it couldn’t possibly offer enough different offerings to satisfy my desire for variety–or provide enough meals for a week. However, a half hour of shopping changed my mind. While this market is smaller than a lot of others, the offerings are diverse with few repeats. Obviously this means that there isn’t much competition among vendors, but I didn’t find prices to be much different than other markets. Because this is a smaller market, it has been overlooked by some of the large market staple vendors, leaving room for other vendors. I particularly enjoyed visiting Ray’s Ranch of Temecula–try the cinnamon infused honey and take home their heavenly goat cheese.
One of the produce vendors had a surprising diversity of exotic fruits. In the interest of trying something new, I picked up a new fruit-a bumpy green cherimoya (pictured with kumquats). A lot of tropical fruits can be an acquired taste, but cherimoya is delicious. Creamy, it reminds me of bananas and papaya, minus any funk. At about $4 (for one fruit) my cherimoya was not cheap, but my family is begging for more.
The Irvine Tuesday market runs from 9 to 1 at the Irvine Ranch Historic Park near the intersection of Irvine Blvd. and Jamboree.
Irvine Tuesday Certified Farmers Market Stats
Number of vendors: 18
- citrus: yes
- stone fruit: yes
- strawberries: yes
- leafy greens: yes
- fresh veggies: yes
- sprouts: no
- avocados: yes
- mushrooms: no
- bread/ bakery: yes
- cheese: no
- meat: no
- fish: yes
- eggs: yes
- honey: yes
- pasta: yes
- tamales: yes
- coffee: no
- juices: no
- prepared foods: yes
- plants: no
- cut flowers: yes
- crafts: no
Last visit: 4.27.2010. The above information is correct to the best of my knowledge based on a personal visit. If you have updated information please post a comment or send Rachael by email at localoranges at gmail dot com.
 As part of their mission to offer holistic health solutions and help patients “thrive”, Kaiser Permanente offers farmers markets in the parking lots of many of their medical centers (find out more about Kaiser Permanente farmers markets Here). One such market is Friday mornings from 10 to 2 in the parking lot of the hospital at 6670 Alton Parkway in Irvine. Although Kaiser’s goal may be commendable, I visited this market last Friday and I wouldn’t necessarily describe it as “thriving”. First of all, I find it ironic that of the 11 vendors there, only 2 actually sell fresh fruits or vegetables. Perhaps the stands selling orchids and honey could also be broadly categorized as “farmers”. All the rest are vendors selling prepared foods. I think that they are mainly catering to the employees and patients who buy lunches and snacks.
The verdict? If you live or work really close and just want to pick up something simple, like oranges, a loaf of bread, or strawberries, then swing on by. You will still get much better quality than the grocery store. I must warn, though, that if you aren’t already going to the medical center parking can be inconvenient. Otherwise, if you are looking for a true farmers market experience, hop on the 405 freeway and visit the Laguna Hills market a few exits south. For a Friday morning market, it offers far better variety and parking. The Saturday and Tuesday Irvine markets are also other good local options.
Kaiser Permanente Irvine Certified Farmers Market Stats
Number of vendors: 11
- citrus: yes
- stone fruit: yes, limited
- strawberries: yes
- leafy greens: yes, very limited
- fresh veggies: yes, very limited
- sprouts: no
- avocados: yes
- mushrooms: no
- bread/ bakery: yes
- cheese: no
- meat: no
- fish: no
- eggs: no
- honey: yes
- pasta: no
- tamales: yes
- coffee: no
- juices: no
- prepared foods: yes
- plants: yes
- cut flowers: no
- crafts: no
Last visit: 5.7.2010. The above information is correct to the best of my knowledge based on a personal visit. If you have updated information please post a comment or contact Rachael by email at localoranges at gmail dot com.
 Every Saturday morning, thousands of Orange County locals come out to the farmers market near UCI to shop, eat and people-watch. This is not your average market with a few stalls selling fresh produce; it is an event, complete with mariachi band. While there are lots of vendors selling crafts and other frou frou, the food really shines. If you seek the most variety and quality of food Southern California has to offer, this is your place.
The Good: Around 100 vendors means that you can easily get everything you need to eat for a week (a future LocalOranges project for sure!) and then some.
The Bad: Lots of vendors come with lots of crowds–especially for those like me who have to push a stroller. The market is set up such that there are several dead-ends which require backtracking down the same path.
The Ugly: parking can get tricky, with many more cars than spots, especially after 10:00. Prepare to wait a while for a parking place or bring your comfortable shoes for a hike.
You can check out the Irvine Certified Farmers market Saturday mornings from 9 to noon at Campus & Bridge near UCI.
Irvine Certified Farmers Market Stats
Number of vendors: 100+
- citrus: yes
- stone fruit: yes
- strawberries: yes
- leafy greens: yes
- fresh veggies: yes
- sprouts: yes
- avocados: yes
- mushrooms: yes
- bread/ bakery: yes
- cheese: yes
- meat: yes
- fish: yes
- eggs: yes
- honey: yes
- pasta: yes
- tamales: yes
- coffee: yes
- juices: yes
- prepared foods: yes
- plants: yes
- cut flowers: yes
- crafts: yes
Last visit: 4.24.2010. The above information is correct to the best of my knowledge based on a personal visit. If you have updated information please post a comment or send an email to localoranges@gmail.com.
Laguna Hills CFM
Posted on 04.24.10
 Since I am planning on visiting every certified farmers market in Orange County in the next few months, it is natural that I begin with my “home” market, the Laguna Hills Certified Farmers Market. This market happens every Friday morning (except for the weeks surrounding Christmas and New Years), behind the Sears store at the Laguna Hills mall.
I have found the Laguna Hills market to be the perfect size to meet most of my fresh and organic food needs, without being so large as to be overwhelming or overly time consuming. The market is laid out in a square, with nice wide aisles and no backtracking, so that it is easy to navigate the stalls with a stroller–or walker, given its proximity to Leisure World. There are no crafts or frilly stalls here and not a tourist in sight. This market is strictly business–bringing you the freshest food straight from farmer to consumer. There is plenty of easy parking surrounding the market, meaning that you can get in and out with your fresh food without a lot of time or hassle. If you are living in central/south Orange County and are thinking about starting to shop at farmers markets, I would definitely recommend you check this one out as it is the perfect place to get your feet wet.
Laguna Hills Certified Farmers Market Stats
Number of vendors: approx. 37
- citrus: yes
- stone fruit: yes
- strawberries: yes
- leafy greens: yes
- fresh veggies: yes
- sprouts: yes
- avocados: yes
- mushrooms: no
- bread/ bakery: yes
- cheese: no
- meat: yes
- fish: yes
- eggs: yes
- honey: yes
- pasta: no
- tamales: yes
- coffee: no
- juices: yes
- prepared foods: yes
- plants: yes
- cut flowers: yes
- crafts: no
Last visit: 4.16.2010. The above information is correct to the best of my knowledge based on a personal visit. If you have updated information please post a comment or send Rachael by email at localoranges at gmail dot com.
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Located in the parking lot of a busy strip mall in an upscale neighborhood, the setting of the Laguna Niguel certified farmers market seems unlikely. However, the difficult parking and crowded aisles belie the fact that this is by far the best place for area residents to do their weekend produce shopping.
