On opening day of the Coastside Farmer’s Market in Pacifica local “fave” musicians Nancy Hall and Lee Parvin let their music soar through the air. Vendors laughed and old acquaintances waved and chatted.
Buyers loaded up bags with all the things they intended to buy and all those unplanned things that they couldn’t pass by. Erin Tormey, founder and manager of this outdoor market event, greeted shoppers and took care of all behind-the-scenes needs. Strawberry-faced kids, from a prior stop at the Tomatero Farm stand, rode giggling in their parents’ arms, and all the while the sun beamed down on this much-anticipated annual spring event.
What were some of the additional tempters from the Coastside and Bay Area and Bay Area-bordering vendors? Roli Roti Mobile Rotisserie with its offerings of plump whole and half (corn-fed) rotisserie chickens and lovely rosemary roasted potatoes. The newly formed San Mateo County Beekeepers Co-op was represented with Rusty’s Farm golden-toned jars of 100% pure, unheated and untreated honey.
California certified organic farmers Jim and Judy Nofziger of Triple J Farm in Pacifica had plum cider and apple cider vinegars, olive oil, red potatoes, ginger and cured olives. A continued walk uncovered booths of colorful and vitamin C popping fruits, bunched and loose greens, goat cheeses and fresh cherries.
Anita Rees, Executive Director of the Pacifica Resource Center (the PRC receives generous weekly leftover produce from the Coastside Farmer’s Market and in turn gives it away to qualifying families), was on hand at the market to do outreach. Gaia Essentials brimmed with pure botanical skincare and aromatherapy products. Lavon Lavande, a French lavender estate along the coast, brought 100 percent all-natural handmade lavender creations to its tables.
Admittedly the third-generation run Edna’s Success (with the fourth generation, Brian, manning the stands) and its kitchen-excellent cookie selections of pecan crisps, lemon shortbread, snickerdoodles, classic chocolate chip, oatmeal apple, coconut macaroons and more — snagged another nonessential must-have stop from this reporter as did its next door neighbor, The Hummus Guy. The Hummus Guy with his black bean with chipotle harissa hummus, roasted garlic hummus, artichoke hummus, spicy hummus with harissa and naturally way more choices was nearly the last stop heading south and west-side through the market except, of course, for Tamales Place with its chicken Salvadorian tamales and the guy selling wild king salmon — not to mention a turn-around which brought nuts and chocolate sweetened with brown rice, barley and corn into vision.
You could say the problem with the Coastside Farmer’s Market is that Erin Tormey has such a profound eye for what is really, really good that it is nearly impossible to bring a grocery list and stick to it. But hey, what’s the good of a treasure hunt without the thrill of discovery?
Coastside Farmer’s Market in Pacifica runs every Wednesday 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Rockaway Beach. The Market runs Saturdays in Half Moon Bay, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Shoreline Station. For more info visit www.coastsidefarmersmarket.org
