Have you ever tried, or heard of, purslane? If not, add this green to your shopping list. Its tiny oval leaves and waxy pink stem are succulent, tangy, and crunchy, adding a fun texture to summer salads or stir-fries. It also happens to be one of the most nutritious foods on the planet, with some of the highest levels of calcium, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids. 

Give purslane a try! You can find fresh bunches of this and other nutritious novelty greens at Four Sisters Farm at the Downtown Berkeley Farmers' Market.

Easy Eating: This crop's resiliency and versatility have enabled it to pop up in a lot of different cuisines around the world. In Mexico, it’s common to eat purslane (or verdolagas in Spanish) scrambled with eggs or smothered in salsa verde. You’ll also find it alongside lentils in India and rice in Turkey. To enjoy year-round, pickle it with rich, Southwestern spice just like Andy Renard of Three Stone Hearth.
Verdolagas & Nectarine Summer Salad

From "Decolonize Your Diet" a cookbook available at the Ecology Center Store
Ingredients
  • 2 heads butter lettuce
  • Zest of 1 lime
  • 1 tbsp lime juice
  • 5 tbsp avocado oil
  • ⅛ tsp sea salt
  • 2 crisp nectarines, cut in thin wedges
  • ¼ red onion, very thinly sliced
  • 2 red radishes, very thinly sliced
  • ¼ cup fresh purslane leaves
  • Freshly ground pepper (optional)
  • 2 oz fresh goat cheese (optional)

Instructions
Gently tear lettuce into bite sized pieces. In a jar, shake to combine lime zest, lime juice, oil, and salt. Toss lettuce, nectarine, onions, and radishes, and a few pinches of salt. Dress salad with just enough dressing to lightly coat. Divide salad onto serving plates and scatter purslane leaves on top of each salad. Season with pepper and goat cheese if desired.
This Week's Vendors
Saturday Downtown Berkeley

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
Orchard X
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
Peach Jamboree
Tuesday South Berkeley

Kaki Farms
Avalos Farm
Massa Organics
Oya Organics
Blue Heron Farm
Brokaw Ranch
Blossom Bluff Orchard
Lifefood Gardens
Full Belly Farm
Flying Disc Ranch
Good Faith Farm
(every other week)
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
Andy's Thai
Donna's Tamales
Peach Jamboree
Three Stone Hearth
(they're back!)
Thursday North Berkeley

Little Fish
Massa Organics
Golden Rule Organics
E&H Mushroom Farm
Riverdog Farm
Frog Hollow Farm
Happy Boy Farms
Phoenix Pastificio
Big Little Bowl
Donna's Tamales
Morell's Bread
Upland Apiary
Crane Creek Growers
Vendors Out
Tuesday
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Thursday
Morell's Bread: July 28th return
All Things Sharp: August 4th return
Saturday
Morell's Bread: July 30th return
All Things Sharp: July 30th return
Wild West Ferments: TBD
Welcome Back, Three Stone Hearth!
Gather your glass jars and bottles! After a yearlong hiatus, beloved vendor Three Stone Hearth will be back at the South Berkeley Farmers' Market. Come find your favorite nutrient-dense snacks and fermented treats every Tuesday beginning July 19.
The EcoStore is popping up!
Plastic Free July is in full swing! The Ecology Center Help Desk will be popping-up at two markets to shed some light on what recycling looks like in Berkeley and support you on your zero waste journey.

Stop by our booth at the South Berkeley Farmers’ Market on July 19 for a recycling crash course and waste sorting game. Or catch us at the Downtown Berkeley Farmers’ Market on July 30 to get creative about cutting back on plastics at mealtime.
Learn More About CalFresh at the Market
Have questions about the CalFresh program benefits? Wondering how you can apply, or if you even qualify? The Alameda County Community Food Bank is joining us at the farmers' market to help folks answer these very questions!

Find them at the South Berkeley Market on Tuesday July 26 and August 8, or the Downtown Berkeley Market on August 13.
To learn how to use (and even double!) CalFresh at the three Berkeley Farmers' Markets, ask at the market information booth just next door.
Join the Berkeley Farmers' Market
We're always on the hunt for new and unique vendors who share our vision of sustainability. If you or someone you know is a local farmer or food producer, click on the link to find out more and apply!

BIPOC, immigrants, LBGTQ, and formerly incarcerated folks are strongly encouraged to apply.
Upcoming Events at the Berkeley Farmer's Markets
Saturday, July 16: Berkeley Public Library Story Time, 10:30–11am
Tuesday July 19: EcoStore Pop Up
Saturday July 23: AC Master Gardeners Tabling
Saturday July 23: Berkeley Public Library Story Time, 10:30–11am
Tuesday July 26: CalFresh Info Tabling with the ACCFB
Saturday July 30: EcoStore Pop Up
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]