Tasting Summer at Orange County’s Farmer’s Markets

Whether you are picking out fresh produce or listening to a country band, these markets are worth the trip.

Berries at a farmers' market in California, in this file photo. The Epoch Times

Nothing quite says summer like strolling through a farmers’ market, although these amazing markets in Orange County, California, are open year-round, with seasonal goodies and fun activities for all ages. In addition to fresh vegetables and fruits, some markets offer great coffees, soups, pastries, artisan crafts, and music from local bands. So, put on your sunscreen and hats and let’s get going!

Orange Home Grown

Orange Home Grown Farmers & Artisans Market, 303 W. Palm Avenue, Orange, [phone], is open Saturdays rain or shine, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. There is street parking on Lemon Street, near Palm Avenue, if you arrive early, or a free parking garage at 130 N. Lemon Street. Therapy dogs are allowed, but if you want to bring your dog, you will be asked to park him or her at the booth, Park Your Paws Dog Sitting, which is free but they ask for a small donation. A nice country band is usually playing, while you shop for vegetables and fruits, jams, jellies, olives, nuts, cheeses, breads, specialty coffees, and other fun items. There are usually cooking demonstrations, activities for the kids, and crafts, clothes, hand-made baskets, and jewelry.

What is unique about this market is every third Saturday, the Orange Home Grown Foundation, a nonprofit that aims for a healthy community through education, has a booth offering information on their seed lending in conjunction with the Orange Public Library Foundation. This is to encourage a community of backyard farmers, so if you ever wanted to start your own vegetable garden, visiting their booth is a great way to begin. For more information, visit orangehomegrown.org

Irvine Farmers’ Market

Irvine Farmers’ Market, Mariners Church in Irvine, 5001 Newport Coast Drive, Irvine, [phone], open Saturdays, from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm. Parking is free in the spacious Mariners Church parking lot, at the corner of Bonita Canyon Drive and Turtle Ridge Road. No pets allowed. In addition to a variety of traditional organic vegetables and fruits, this market also offers Chinese vegetables and fruits, vegan items, and gluten free foods like fresh pasta. There is live music, a guy who makes balloon animals for the kids, and specialty foods like Bolivian meat pies. You can even get your knives sharpened at OC Knife Sharpening, a drop-off service in their self-contained vehicle.

Manassero Farms

The Original Manassero Farms Market, 33 Irvine Valley, Irvine, [phone], is their flagship and event space, open Monday to Saturday, 9:00 to 5:00, and Sunday, from 9:30 to 4:30. They also have other markets in Irvine, Tustin, and Brea. This market offers a very special down-to-earth farming experience in that the Manassero family is a third-generation farming family.