Even though it's almost always citrus season in the Bay, nothing screams spring like a bright, lemony dish. 

Lemons are a powerful ingredient. A few squeezes can tenderize your meat and seafood, retain your chopped fruits and veggies’ vibrant colors, and remedy an over-salted meal – all while subtly enhancing and balancing the flavors of your dish. Their natural disinfecting properties also make lemons a natural alternative to the harsh products in your cupboard, just in time for spring cleaning. Slimy surfaces? Dip a halved lemon into salt and scrub to make counters, stovetops, and cutting boards shine. Stinky sink? Run a few lemon rinds through the garbage disposal to deodorize the drain. Funky fridge? Place a sliced lemon in your fridge for an hour to freshen it up. 

Right now at the Berkeley Farmers Market you’ll find three lemon varieties: classic, tart Eurekas, floral and slightly sweet Meyers, and pink, variegated lemons. Just head to Brokaw Ranch Company, Blossom Bluff Orchard and Kaki Farm. 

Quick Tip: Firmly roll a lemon around on the counter before squeezing to maximize your juice yield!

Easy Eating: Zhuj up your morning yogurt or pancakes with Homemade Lemon Curd. For a filling dinner, whip up a citrusy Spring Couscous Bowl and a tall glass of chef Bryant Terry’s famous Lavender Lemonade. You can find this Oakland-based chef’s book, “Vegan Soul Kitchen”, at the Ecology Center Store. Impress your pals with a Meyer Lemon Cake for dessert, a la Frog Hollow Farm.
Lemon Tahini Dressing
From the Orchard X kitchen
Ingredients
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp tahini
  • 1/4 cup liquid aminos (Braggs) or soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup cold-pressed oil (sesame oil preferred)
  • 1/3 green bell pepper
  • 1 stalk celery
  • Pinch black pepper


Instructions
Blend all ingredient and drizzle over greens, white beans, or ancient grains.

This Week's Vendors
Saturday Downtown Berkeley

All Things Sharp
Blue Heron
Brokaw Ranch
Avalos Farm
Kaki Farm
Good Faith Farm
Golden Rule Organics
Lifefood Gardens
Flying Disc Ranch
Achadinha Cheese Co.
Little Fish
Kashiwase Farm
Stepladder Creamery
Happy Boy Farms
True Grass Farm
Solano Mushroom
Riverdog Farm
Smit Farms
Gattonelli
Frog Hollow Farm
Higher Land Coffee
Tony's Kettle Corn + Crepes
Andy's Thai
Tamales La Oaxaqueña 
Cafe Zambala
Beber Almond Milk
Big Little Bowl
Your Granola Garden 
Laguna Garden Bakery
Morell's Bread
Obour Hummus
Phoenix Pastificio
Bolani
Coracao
Primavera Tamales
Bun Bao
Wild West Ferments
Sika Ethiopian Specialties
Tuesday South Berkeley

Kaki Farms
Massa Organics
Oya Organics
Dancing Crow Vineyards NEW!
Brokaw Ranch
Blossom Bluff Orchard
Lifefood Gardens
Avalos Farm
Full Belly Farm
Flying Disc Ranch
Good Faith Farm
Lucero Organics
Solano Mushroom
Dirty Girl Produce
Kashiwase Farm
Stepladder Creamery
Riverdog Farm
Smit Farms
Frog Hollow Farm
Little Fish Co.
Queen of Sheeba Honey
Phoenix Pastificio
Bolani
The Fruit Tree
Tamales La Oaxaqueña (every other week)
Sika Ethiopian Specialties
(every other week)
Andy's Thai
Donna's Tamales
Thursday North Berkeley

All Things Sharp
Little Fish
Happy Boy Farms
Green Thumb Organics
Massa Organics
Chinchiolo Family Farms
Golden Rule Organics
E&H Mushroom Farm
Riverdog Farm
Frog Hollow Farm
Phoenix Pastificio
Big Little Bowl
Donna's Tamales
All Things Sharp
Morell's Bread
Upland Apiary
Crane Creek Growers
Sika Ethiopian Specialties
Good Faith Farm
(every other week)
Seasonal Vendors Mosey Back Into The Berkeley Farmer's Market
It's that glorious time of year! Here's a quick guide to when and where our seasonal vendors will return.

Blue Heron: Already back at the downtown market, Jesse and the crew will be slinging produce and flowers in South Berkeley some time in early May.

Frog Hollow Fruit: We saw (and devoured) the first mulberries this past Tuesday! You can expect fruit at all three markets from here on out.

Lucero Organics: Curtis, Pricilla, and their renowned strawberries graced us with their presence just this week. Their first downtown Berkeley market of the year is tomorrow, April 23rd.

Lou Vue: They are officially back for the season in South Berkeley! Look out for the tall, hearty stacks of fresh greens, herbs, fava beans, sugar snap peas, and more.

Triple Delight Blueberries: This multigenerational family farm will be back in the swing of things starting next Tuesday, April 26th. Find them at all three markets.
Vang Family Farm: The ever abundant Vang harvest will reappear on Saturday April 23rd. Good news, they will be returning as a year-round vendor!

*Please keep in mind that as weather is subject to change, so are farmers' return dates. Stay tuned for the return of Peach Jamboree and Sierra Cascade Blueberries!
New Vendor: Welcome, Dancing Crow Vineyards!
Dancing Crow Vineyard is joining our South Berkeley Farmer's Market from mountainous Lake County.

The vineyard's central belief is that quality and sustainability go hand in hand. Healthy soil, essential to growing the best grapes, is achieved through mulching, the use of cover crop, and aeration.
Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet, and more. There's something for everyone, at a very reasonable price. Pick up a bottle while shopping for dinner any Tuesday from 2-6:30pm.
Berkeley Public Library Story Time Returns to the Farmer's Market
Join the Berkeley Public Library at the Downtown Berkeley Farmers Market every Saturday for stories, songs, rhymes, and fun! This 30-minute story time is geared towards children ages 2-5. 
*Weather permitting. Social distancing practices are in place and masks are encouraged.
Save 20% at the Bi-annual Member’s Sale!
Join us for our bi-annual member's sale, when member's receive 20% off their entire in-store purchase! For 3 days, members enjoy 3 days of savings, April 22nd, 23rd, and 24th, from 11a to 6p. This is a great opportunity to stock up on your everyday essentials, and goodies for everyone in your life. We can sign up new members and renew current members during check out!
We are continually grateful to our community. Shopping locally is critical, and we thank you for your support.
*Valid for in-store purchases only, offers and other discounts can not be combined.
2022 Berkeley Farmers' Market Salsa Festival
Come join us at the Farmers’ Market Salsa Festival, an outdoor live Latin Music event on May 21, 2022 at Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Park in Berkeley for an afternoon of environmental and cultural experiences delivered through music, dance and food in tandem with the Saturday Downtown Farmers Market. 

Stop by this free event on your way to the farmers market and enjoy a vibrant array of programming:
  • Cooking demonstrations: Chefs from Berkeley’s Kitchen on Fire and CHICA, a woman and POC-led Oakland restaurant will demonstrate and sample out their favorite salsa recipes using ingredients sourced from the adjacent Farmers Market.
  • People-powered smoothies: Attendees can hop on a stationary bike and make their own healthy smoothies made with fresh fruits and juices from farmers market vendors.
  • Locally sourced and sustainably made craft beer, wine and mojitos!
  • The Fashion Trashion Selfie Booth: Haute Trash Artists Collaborative will host the Trashion Fashion Selfie Booth where attendees can try on “Haute Couture” fashion made of up-cycled materials.
  • Crafts, a kid eco zone, and much more!
Masks Strongly Encouraged at Market
The Berkeley Farmers' Markets will continue to adhere to the City of Berkeley Public Health, CDPH, and the CDC's recommendations, for our mask requirements and policies. Given the current recommendations, masks are not required for attendees to enter the Berkeley Farmers' Market.

While it is not required, we respectfully ask those who are unvaccinated, or partially vaccinated to continue to wear a mask for the ongoing safety of our community.
Farmers' Market Hours & Locations
EBT and WIC Fruit & Vegetable checks gladly accepted and Market Match incentives distributed at all markets.
South Berkeley
Tuesdays, 2 - 6:30 pm
Adeline St. at 63rd St., 
Berkeley
North Berkeley
Thursdays, 3 - 7 pm 
Shattuck Ave. at Rose St., Berkeley
Downtown Berkeley
Saturdays, 10 am - 3 pm
Center St. at MLK Jr. Way, Berkeley
 
[Photo credit: Berkeley Farmers' Market Staff]