In Los Angeles, there is nothing we like to do more than talk about the gluten-free, organic and/or locally-grown ways we are nourishing our Lululemon-wearing bodies.
The Farmers Market is the one place you can unabashedly do this without looking completely bougie and basic… Not that there’s anything wrong with that. But we can put the lemon back in Lululemon with a date at the Farmers Market.
Mama’s got a brand new bag. Perfect for sustainable shopping! Love it?
Guys, let me tell you. If you’re thinking “Uh, isn’t the Farmers Market like going shopping at the grocery store?” Yea, I guess… if the grocery store was outside under the beautiful, sunny sky surrounded by endless amounts of free samples and the smell of juicy, ripe, seasonal fruits and veggies.
Puh-lease.
You don’t get that enviable, Farmers Market Couple glow without a bit of hydration.
As a woman who has been to many a farmer’s market alone, solemnly sampling pestos and popcorn, I watched the gorgeous LA couples graze by. Holding hands. Laughing. Looking deeply into each other’s over-sized sunglasses.
God, all that organic food really does make their skin glow…
I longed for someone to whisk me away to this fruit-filled paradise. Together we’d stroll down the street, moseying from stand to stand. Maybe even stop and smell the roses for a bit.
Seriously, stop and smell the roses. And buy one while you’re at it, they’re only a dollar!
And I guarantee, plenty of other women and men are drooling over this same thing. (And if you’re single, I’d venture to bet this is not a bad place to meet other health food obsessed singles.)
Ladies love the Farmers Market for many reasons. One being it is a totally excusable place to don your workout gear without ever having to actually break a sweat. Sunnies, leggings and a T are the uniform of choice on 80% of chicks at the market. Casual comfort at it’s finest.
Think about it, bros. What other date is your girl almost guaranteed to show up in yoga pants that doesn’t actually end up with you in a yoga class? You’re welcome.
You know you want a taste.
Personally, one of my favorite parts of the Farmers Market are the free samples. As an OG Costco lover, my sample game is on par with professional eaters. I get my daily recommendations of the entire food pyramid just by waltzing from station to station.
But if you can resist filling up on samples, there’s plenty of affordable food and drink to indulge in. From the divinely deep-fried to the crispness of kale salads, grab something to graze on. You can even get your caffeine fix in with a cup of organic Yerba Mate.
Who needs a date when you’ve got amazing vendors to chat with week to week like my new friends at Erva?
At a Farmers Market, you’ll never lack for a conversation starter. Or a friendly face to start a conversation with!
Many of the vendors are new up and coming entrepreneurs looking to introduce new people to their product, like the team at Erva. Others will feel like friends you’ve known forever, like Brian from Angeleno Farms, who sells the absolute tastiest eggs on this side of the Mississippi. You’ll even find vendors working to support a cause, like the guys at Homeboy Bakery.
Brian is a bad ass guy who sells some bad ass eggs.
Wherever you go, there you are with a Farmers Market somewhere in town. From Brentwood to Hollywood, there’s a Farmers Market every day of the week and a date there makes the perfect prequel to a home-cooked date-night in.
Here are a few Farmer’s Markets I love. Go forth and sample with glee!
Brentwood Village Farmers Market
741 Gretna Green Way, Brentwood
Sundays, 9am to 2:30pm
$20 Date suggests going for produce shopping, light snacks and celeb sightings, like Naomi Watts and Liev Schriever.
Main Street Farmer’s Market
2640 Main St, Santa Monica, CA 90405
Sundays, 9:30am to 1pm
$20 Date suggests going for the live music, free bike valet, and complete meals to eat made by local restaurants.
Santa Monica Farmer’s Market
Arizona Avenue between 2nd and 4th streets.
Wednesdays, 8:30 am to 1:30 pm, Saturdays 8:30 am to 1 pm
$20 Date suggests going for proximity to the beach, shopping, bars and restaurants. Best market to purchase plants.
The Original Farmer’s Market
6333 W. Third St. Los Angeles, CA 90036
Open daily, hours vary (basically all day)
$20 Date suggests going because this wouldn’t be a Farmer’s Market list without it. More of a county fair feel than an outdoor market. Beware braving the traffic, it’s by The Grove.
Obsessed with your Farmers Market finds? Let me know your faves in the comments below!
