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March 11, 2007
A Quick Look at the Toluca Lake Farmer's Market
It's certainly not the biggest farmer's market around--in fact it's pretty close to fledgling. Operational since last fall, the Toluca Lake Certified Farmer's Market takes over just one tiny block on Sancola, north of Riverside Drive. There are a few produce stands featuring excellent, although somewhat limited, selections of fresh local fruits and veggies, as well as at least one floral stand, craftsmakers with wares from soy candles to jewelry, tamales, baked goods, and a live band. The produce vendors are eager to offer up samples of their wares; today we bit into three different kinds of strawberries all hailing from Oxnard, and nabbed a modest basket to take home for ourselves. What we like best about this market, in addition to it being more handy to our home and less chaotic than the more established Studio City Farmer's Market, is that by stopping by we're doing our own small part to support local growers and culinary artisans, and getting to chat with the vendors about their endeavors. A great review ran awhile back by the Vegetarians in Paradise (although we admit we favor the piece because it makes mention of someone oh-so-near-and-dear to this LAist's heart) and we thought we'd finally get around to getting some pics up to spread the word about this little farmer's market that could. Or does. Or... you get the idea. Now get the pictures--after the jump.
Toluca Lake Certified Farmer's Market
Sundays, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Sancola at Riverside Drive
All photos by Lindsay William-Ross
Tulips are some of our favorite flowers, and we found plenty of gorgeous ones here
More beautiful spring tulips!
Some of the strawberries coming into season and ready for eating. They were delish!
One of the main produce setups in the market
We had to resist buying any of these treats, but we couldn't resist ogling them
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I really, really want this market to succeed, because like you, it's much more convenient (for me, the competition is the Hollywood farmers market). But man, every time I've gone to the one in Toluca Lake the produce stands have been bare. And by bare, I mean a couple stalks of celery and some soft carrots.
That said, the non-produce stands offer some pretty good grub. The tamales are decent, as are the handmade sweet Italian sausages that are sold close by.
My favorite stand is the one which sells olive oil and other related items. Unfortunately, I can't remember the name, but the folks there are always helpful and I love the marinated beans that they offer.
So overall, yea it's a Real Good Thing. I just hope it can last through the summer.