It’s peak season at Sonoma County farmers markets, and the stalls are overflowing with crisp cucumbers, juicy melons, and summer squash picked just hours ago. Whether you’re escaping the heat or looking for the freshest ingredients, July is a perfect time to visit your local market.
Hydration Starts with What You Eat
When it’s hot out, hydration isn’t just about water, it’s also about eating water-rich fruits and vegetables that naturally replenish your body. July harvest brings some of the most hydrating foods of the year:
Melons — Expected to arrive by Fourth of July weekend at many markets. These summer staples are over 90 percent water and naturally packed with electrolytes.
Cucumbers — Coming very soon. Cool, crisp and perfect in salads or infused water.
Tomatoes – Already at markets now! Juicy and full of flavor, they’re great raw, grilled, or tossed into anything from bruschetta to pasta.
Berries — In full swing, especially strawberries. Raspberries, blueberries and local varieties like mulberries and boysenberries are starting to appear next. All are high in water and antioxidants.
Zucchini and Summer Squash — At markets now! These summertime classic veggies are easy to grill, “zoodle” or sauté.
Don’t forget stone fruit season — Plums, Peaches, Nectarines, Pluots and the famous Santa Rosa Plums just hit the markets this week. They’re like sweet water bombs with every bite, juicy, hydrating and full of summer flavor.
All of them are available fresh and in abundance at your local Sonoma County farmers markets throughout the summer. And don’t forget, if you use CalFresh, many farmers markets double your produce spending with Market Match. That means $10 in benefits turns into $20 worth of juicy tomatoes, sweet berries, and more.
Tips for Summer Market Shopping
A few easy steps can help you make the most of your market trips during the hot season:
- Go early and beat the heat and the crowds by shopping when the market opens.
- Bring a cooler bag and keep delicate produce (and yourself) cool on the way home. (Scroll to the bottom of this blog post to learn about a FREE cooler bag giveaway with online/curbside farmers market purchase.)
- Hydrate before you go. Bring a refillable water bottle or try a vendor’s refreshing herbal iced tea or drink.
- Talk to the farmers on how they recommend storing or using this season’s produce to keep it the freshest.
Visit a Market Near You this Summer!
Whether you’re planning a picnic, restocking your kitchen, or looking for a cool weekend outing, there’s a farmers market open near you.
Check out OurFarmersMarkets.org to find current hours, locations, and which markets take CalFresh and have Market Match.
Free Cooler Bag with Online/Curbside Order
Right now, there is a promotion going on where you can get a FREE cooler bag if you make an online purchase of $50 or more from farmers markets offering curbside pick up service..
Markets offering the online/curbside service are Petaluma East Side (Tuesdays) and Santa Rosa Community Farmers Markets (Wednesdays and Saturdays). Place an order by 5 p.m. the day prior and pick up curbside during market hours.
The handsome cooler bag normally goes for $25 so now is your chance. Click here for the online farmers market storefront. Giveaway while supplies last.
