Farmer's Market Alternatives

Does anyone know if the guy who sells the locally-grown mussels is there on Saturdays? Or where to get those mussels, if not? There were lots of things I enjoyed about the SAturday farmers market but that was a favorite. ...I don't much like standing in lines and think that being with groups of others is not the best idea and so I've done vegetable shopping at off hours at Tri-County and Sprouts.

Fairvew Gardens also has a subscription box that you can add additional items to- produce, bread, honey, etc. Wed and Friday afternoons Ebby's organic produce stand is open in the Winchester Commons area, basically take a right from Winchester, then go straight to the end of the road, turn right, it is at the dead end. They take cash and Venmo. There is another pop up stand on Hollister right by Winchester Canyon but it is unclear when they open the gate and put out their table.

There are a number of great CSA’s to choose from: Something Good Organics (John Givens), Organic Essentials, Farm Cart Organics, Farmbox Collective etc. Also, love visiting Fairview Gardens (Goleta) and Frecker Farms (Carp) on Wednesday’s when their farms stands are open! For everyday shopping Mesa Produce is also great. We’re so lucky to have such an abundance of epic produce year round!!!

I’ve been very happy with www.farmfreshtoyou.com

The Orange Tree is selling produce in their lobby.. seems like its the same produce that supplies the Crocodile

Back to the Farmer's Market - Since it's where we buy groceries, we went back to the Tuesday FM for the first time yesterday. It was very organized, ropes to delineate lines, space between customers well-defined. Sellers were wearing masks and gloves, as were most people. To restrict ourselves we went to just one seller (Givens), stayed focused and were in and out in very little time. Everyone (sellers & customers) seemed purposeful. The seller noted the Health Dept was apparently out making sure things were proper as well. We felt happy to support the farmers. And it is Wonderful to see fresh colorful produce in our home again!

If you're interested in becoming a neighborhood hub for Roots Organic Farm, email me at kappel@nceas.ucsb.edu. Roots is also selling boxes at Duo Catering on Haley St. on a first come first served basis. I think that's happening on Wednesdays.

Pepe's Restaurant Goleta-- (805) 967-0313-- has a sign out front on the sidewalk saying they have grocery items. You call ahead and they put into your car (I'm assuming). They have carpark spaces for pickups in front of the restaurant. This is a family owned restaurant trying to stay in business. Open 11 am daily.

Somebody come up with something for singletons. Fresh produce goes bad for one, as s/he doesn't eat in bulk.

Plow to Porch is another option. I think Tom Shepherd is doing a CSA, and Roots Organic Farm (Jacob Grant) is doing weekly box delivery to neighborhood hubs. Need to get a few families together to create a hub. Tri County Produce is open and they are handling distancing pretty well there, cashiers have plexiglas barriers, staff all wearing gloves and masks.

I went to Lane Farms today. They had lots of fresh produce, and wonderful strawberries. They were very organized in terms of the virus. There was a hand washing station outside; the cashier had a plexiglass barrier, and you did not need to insert your credit card, rather scan. There weren't a lot of people, and it was a very nice experience.

I picked up a produce box from Mesa Produce and everything was incredibly fresh.

lane farms 3 locations are open i think

Farm Cart Organics and The Berry Man have worked well for us.

Talley Farms has a pick up program, where you pick a box of produce on Thursdays at the Calle Real Lemo's among other locations. For an additional fee, it appears you can also have it delivered. Google it, or copy/paste this URL: https://talleyfarmsfreshharvest.com

Farm Cart Organics: https://www.farmcartorganics.com/howitworks