To Market, To Market in San Francisco: Ferry Plaza Farmers Market

I had the good fortune to attend the 2009 Food Buzz Festival, an event for food bloggers from around the country, in San Francisco last weekend.  As I reviewed the schedule, I was beside myself with joy when I realized that attending the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market was slotted for Saturday morning.  The Ferry Plaza Farmers Market!  I can't tell you how many people have suggested I attend that market since I started the blog.   Finally, I was getting my chance.

And, it was heaven!  The market surrounds, and I mean this literally, the Ferry building located at Market and Embarcedero.  There are stalls everywhere, behind the building leading up to the ferry dock, in front of the building edging toward the street curb, on the side bumping up against the park benches.  As I walked up to the market, I was completely overwhelmed - I, who shop at farmers markets every week, had no idea where to start.  I took a deep breath and just dove in.

I wanted to buy EVERYTHING.  I was enticed by the produce that we don't  grow in Austin like the grapes, a strange fruit called a Jelly melon and the sunchokes, but I refrained.  I would have given my eye teeth to be in a hotel room with a kitchen.

            

I decided to focus on the things I could bring home more easily and there was plenty to pick from.  I tasted cheeses, olive oils, vinegars, flavored salts, spices, dried fruits, jams and breads.

The Ferry Plaza building is the home to Cowgirl Creamery (right), a festival sponsor, which makes a variety of delicious cheeses including one of my favorites, Mt. Tam.  Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company also had a booth in the market proper and I did not miss the chance to taste their Point Reyes blue cheese which is creamy, pungent and delicious.

Frog Hollow Farms, one of the sponsors of the Food Buzz event, has a retail shop at the Ferry Building and also has a booth in the market.  Their granolas, dried fruits, jellies and conserves were delicious and I couldn't walk away from the booth without a few jars. I opted for Meyer Lemon Marmalade which was mouth-puckering tart, Cherry Conserve and Nectarine-Plum jelly.  Frog Hollow Farms was also generous enough to give each of the conference participants a package of granola, Cherry Chocolate Chip cookies and dried peaches.  I haven't tried the cookies yet, but the granola and peaches were delicious.

After all the spoonfuls of sweet jam, I realized I needed something of substance for breakfast.  I opted for the ever so healthy choice of an oyster from Hog Island Oyster Company.  After all, you can't get an oyster for breakfast at the Austin market, all due respect to Taco Deli and Dai Due.  I love a freshly shucked oyster and these were perfect - filled with brine of the Pacific ocean - salty and luscious.

I decided to wander the inside of the Ferry building.  The shops inside are equally focused on sustainability and get in on the act for market day with tables and specials for market shoppers.  And that's how I ended up at Boccalone, an artisan salami shop with the motto "Tasty Salted Pig Parts."  Oh my.


Their novelty of the day was a "meat cone" which includes three different types of meat wrapped together and placed in a snow cone wrapper.  No bread.  No vegetables.  Just meat.  Well, of course I had to try it.  It was amazing.  Each of the meats - mortadella, orange and wild fennel salami and prosciutto - complimented each other and had a distinct flavor.  Yum!  These guys love their product and it shows.

And at this point, I still had the vendors in front of the ferry building to visit.  Phew!  I bought Indian spice mixes and mango pickles from Sukhi's Gourmet Indian Foods and dried heirloom beans and pozole from Rancho Gordo.  

After two hours of exploring, tasting, questioning and poking, it was time to head to the Food Buzz panel on Farm to Table issues with Brian Kenny of Hearst Ranch and Chef Paul Arenstam of Americano Restaurant & Bar.  As hard as it was to leave the market, I was glad that I went to the panel.  Brian Kenny shared the business model Hearst Ranch is using for their sustainable beef business and it was refreshing to hear Chef Arenstam's view on why he partners with sustainable farms.

For me, the market was like a big amusement park.  It probably won't surprise you to learn that I see the vendor booths the way someone else sees a roller coaster - a thrill, a challenge, something to discover.  

And, as much fun as I had, I didn't lose site of the bigger picture.  The market was packed.  Yes, a number of the people were tourists like me, but there were plenty of people buying to fill their local fridge.  

As I wandered through San Francisco for three days, I noticed that there were signs in every neighborhood I visited to support local farms.  Whether I was meandering through the Mission District, Union Square or the Financial District, there were signs to buy fresh and local.   You couldn't forget because you were surrounded by it.  

Buy Fresh.  Buy Local.  I like the mantra.  Maybe we should try it on for size in Austin.