While living in San Diego we made it a point to visit at least every other week the Little Italy farmer's market, it was so much fun and a great way to support local business' in addition to finding unique products that were absolutely fabulous! When we moved to Costa Rica I knew we would enjoy their farmer's markets. What I didn't know was when it was held or where, turns out that each City has their own farmer's markets and not just one, several of them and on different days of the week.
The farmer's market we love is in Santa Ana in West San Jose and it is held every Sunday from 5:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. in the downtown area near the Church. Yes that early! The street is shut down to traffic and local farmers and business' set up.
You can find fresh cut fruit and vegetables, herbs, spices, snacks such as plantain chips and tortilla chips, fish, seafood, freshly made to order "pupusas", "chorreadas", coffee grains, fresh juices and more including lottery tickets! The possibilities are endless, all you have to is bring your own bags or shopping carts. Don't have any? don't worry they are well equipped with plastic bags. You will see people leaving with so much. The time I walked to the farmers market my shoulders gave out because of all the papaya, watermelon, pineapple that were so heavy! :)
You can find fresh cut fruit and vegetables, herbs, spices, snacks such as plantain chips and tortilla chips, fish, seafood, freshly made to order "pupusas", "chorreadas", coffee grains, fresh juices and more including lottery tickets! The possibilities are endless, all you have to is bring your own bags or shopping carts. Don't have any? don't worry they are well equipped with plastic bags. You will see people leaving with so much. The time I walked to the farmers market my shoulders gave out because of all the papaya, watermelon, pineapple that were so heavy! :)
Shopping at the farmers market means you are going green, something I had no idea I was. You may ask how is it that you are going green, simple you are supporting the local economy and they have a law for farmers market: It has to be local product. That means no imported fruits or items, so you will not find apples, oranges, grapes, nectarines, peaches.
For ¢450 colones you can get a 10 oz freshly squeezed juice! My personal favorites are soursop and tamarind. They also have "resbaladera" which is similar to "horchata" except it also has other grains like barley and it is called "resbaladera" because it is suggested for digestion. For ¢500 Colones you get a large sized drink. Remember ¢500 Colones = $1.00 USD. ;)
For ¢450 colones you can get a 10 oz freshly squeezed juice! My personal favorites are soursop and tamarind. They also have "resbaladera" which is similar to "horchata" except it also has other grains like barley and it is called "resbaladera" because it is suggested for digestion. For ¢500 Colones you get a large sized drink. Remember ¢500 Colones = $1.00 USD. ;)
Pricing is a lot less than at the local super market, for example 3 heads of garlic are ¢200 colones which equals to $0.40 USD that is great pricing versus the ¢400 colones that a local supermarket charges for the same amount of garlic. We have managed to save by shopping at the farmers market, where else can you get all this for ¢10,000 colones? {That would be $20.00 USD}
The first time we went was a week after we moved into our new home, the kids loved going and we didn't want to leave because of everything we got to see and listen:
At the farmers market is where I found these super large zucchini you liked so much on Instagram. They were larger than my hand! I had enough with 2 zucchini's for 4 dinners! :D
Do you shop at your local farmers market?
Try it and you'll find great quality and price, I guarantee! :D
How fun!! Love that you captured so many Instagram videos of your trip.
ReplyDeleteThank you Melissa, yes I am loving Instagram videos. They are short and to the point :D plus you can add filters :D
DeleteAmazing. How much fun! Farmer's Markets are the best!
ReplyDeleteYes they are the best and super fun! :D
DeleteThat sounds like an amazing experience! What a cool way to get to know the local culture and produce.
ReplyDeleteI agree, it is a way to learn so much about the country you are in. I had no idea they did not grow apples, nectarines, pears or peaches. They are all imported from South America mostly Chile and Argentina or from the U.S.
DeleteI shop at the farmers market but I will say that there are several vendors that sell fruit & veggies that are not home grown. I usually avoid those because to me the whole point is getting farm fresh fruits & veggies.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean, I think each City/town has their own regulations as far as farmers markets here but for the whole country it is only local produce they allow.
DeleteI generally love farmer's markets. The one we have in our city is just so-so. I much prefer going to ones that I've never been to - they are so much fun.
ReplyDeleteIt is also an adventure getting there right? ;) We used to love Little Italy's one in San Diego even though we had one just a block away, but jumping in the car and walking around and then enjoying a freshly made cafe au lait... Yummy! :D
DeleteThank you for sharing all these pictures and showing me what it is like in Costa Rica! I have nominated you for the Sunshine Blog Award because you bring sunshine to my life! Check out my blog for the deets.
ReplyDeleteOh you always know how to make the sun shine for me! Thank you! That is very sweet of you. <3
DeleteI LOVE Farmers Markets! If I am somewhere visiting & see one, I pull off like a dork cuz its such a great way to do something like a local, not your usual tourist-y things!
ReplyDeleteExactly! It shares about the local culture so much and you support local business' :D
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