what the hills y’all: a trip to alemany farmers market

What the Hills Y’all: Adventures of a Texas girl living in San Francisco

Grocery shopping is different here than it was for me in Texas. Back home there was an HEB or a Kroger where I could get all my produce, deodorant, batteries and canned goods in one place. I’ve found the Safeway supermarkets here to be disgusting. Dirty, crowded, old produce and prices that make me cringe. So now I do my shopping 3 ways and make a day of it: produce at the local farmers market, everyday items at Trader Joe’s, and anything else I can’t find at Safeway. This Saturday I took a trip to the Alemany Farmers Market in Bernal Heights with Justin and loved it.

First off, prices were awesome. We’re talking fresh celery for $1 a stock, oranges for $.50 and a basket of strawberries for $4. When I was looking at the reviews on Yelp they described it as the “locals” farmers market, as opposed to the Ferry Building one catered more to tourists and I can totally see why.

It’s a no no-nonsense farmers market with fresh produce and food. No food trucks here but instead homemade pupusas being made, chilaquiles for breakfast, tamales, coffee, hummus and even a guy making balloon animals for the kiddos.

Justin and I got there around 11am (they go until 2:30 on Saturdays) and it was packed, We were a bit overwhelmed but after getting much-needed starter fuel (coffee and breakfast), we perused the premises for good finds. As always we split up (I handle veggies and Justin the fruit) and made our way through the huge market.

After getting all of our produce, we had to get some flowers (which for this huge bouquet of lilies, sunflowers, hydrangea and others cost us only $15) before we left.

Overall, you need to check out this farmers market on a lazy Saturday. You’re supporting local farmers and buying fresh and in season produce while being nice to your wallet.