Here's to a Local Farm Fresh Holiday Season!

Celebrate the Holidays with Local Farm Fresh Goodies! 

Support Your Farmers Through the Holidays

Not only is the farmers' market oh-so-lively throughout the holiday season, but our farmers have the best products to get you and your family hooked up with farm fresh goodies just in time for Christmas. Bautista Creek Local Produce has amazing fresh produce to impress your guests with your holiday cooking. They even have the best stocking stuffers around like fresh homemade jams and pickles made with love by Lemon Bird, using Bautista Creek Produce of course! 

Thinking about Christmas morning? Forget the presents and focus on what we really love the most--FOOD! Get your farm fresh goodies to make the most delicious Christmas morning breakfast ever! Fresh applewood smoked bacon from Da-Le Ranch, farm fresh brown eggs from Gaytan Family Farms, fresh berries from Gaytan, fresh baked bread from Homeboy Bakery, all the organic veggies to your hearts' content from Menos Farms, and the best fruit from Nicholas Family Farm and Atkins Nursery! Oh, and don't forget to add some mushrooms from Kane's Family Farm and avocados from Pedro's Organic Avocado Ranch to that breakfast skillet! 

Weekly Fresh Farmers' Basket Free Raffle

Did you know you can sign up each week for your chance at winning our fresh farmers' market basket donated by our wonderful farmers and gourmet food vendors? There's no catch--each week you can sign up onsite at the market in the Information Booth (red tent) and every other week we'll pick a winner! Talk to our previous winners about how good it feels to have your name come up lucky! We love how much you support us each Saturday so we're more than happy to show you the same love right back! You can also play our guess the fruit and veggie game each week by liking us on Facebook or following us on Twitter --be sure to set us as a favorite so you see our posts each week.

Holiday Fun at SoCo Collection this Saturday

Come for the farmers and stay for the kids' activities and live music! After you're done shopping with us and eating from our delicious gourmet food trucks (This weekend: Taco Maria, Seabirds, Piaggio on Wheels, Barcelona On the Go, Ranch A Go Go, Dos Chino, and as always--Front Porch Pops & Pies!), take the kids over to Granola Babies for Winterland. They'll have eco-friendly ornament crafts, letters to Santa, cookies and tea, and free eco-friendly gift wrapping on purchases over $25. After that, head on over to the OC Mart Mix for live music from 4pm-7pm. 

Also, did you know the culinary kitchen mecca otherwise known as Surfas Culinary District, has opened up at SoCo?! If you're DIYing holiday gifts this year (perhaps making your own apple cider?), pop over to Surfas and get your supplies. They've got EVERYTHING! 

Healthy Recipe to Balance Out Holiday Treats

Don't wait until the New Year to start eating healthfully. Start now! Get to the farmers' market this Saturday and pick up enough fresh fruits and veggies to get you through the holiday season. Here's a quick and easy recipe for a yummy kale salad with lemon dressing. 

Ingredients: 

4 cups finely chopped kale

3 tbsp dried cranberries or cherries 

2 tbsp chopped roasted or raw almonds

freshly shaved parmesan to taste

Dressing:

1tsp dijon mustard

1 small lemon, juiced

1 garlic clove, grated (omit if you're not into raw garlic)

1/4 tsp sugar

1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil

pinch of salt and pepper

Directions: 

In a small bowl, add dijon mustard, lemon juice, garlic and sugar, whisk together. Slowly add in olive oil and whisk. Season with salt and pepper. Store leftovers in an airtight container in fridge. 

Combine kale with a few tablespoons of lemon dressing to taste. Combine well and if time allows, let kale "marinate" in dressing for 10 min to help soften leaves. Stir in dried fruit, almonds, and top with shaved parmesan before serving. Enjoy! 

Wishing you and your family the very merriest of holiday wishes! See you Saturday!

-SoCo Certified Farmers' Market

It's Farm to Food Truck Time!

Farm2FoodTruck IV!

On Saturday, November 10th we are hosting a farmers' market feast for you, our friends and fans. 20 local farmers and vendors, 15 gourmet food trucks, 5 challengers and an estimated 2,000 attendees will all come together to celebrate our second birthday and compete in our Farm to Food Truck Challenge IV! You'll be able to taste the market from our challengers and celebrate our two years at SoCo Collection! 

Fifteen gourmet food trucks will serve food during the market, with five of our gourmet food truck chefs competing in an epic challenge. Chefs will source farm fresh ingredients from our certified farmers. A $30.00 donation to our non-profit gets you a sampling plate from each of our five competition trucks! Friends, fans, and previous Top Chop Judges will join together to feast at our long communal tables in the middle of the market to vote with their forks and choose the next Top Chop Truck!

Buy your Tasting Tix now before they're all gone!

 

Best Of Award-- Best Farmers' Market 2012

Thank you Costa Mesa for making us the BEST farmers' market in Orange County! And special thanks to Dave Leiberman for giving us an honorable mention in the OC Weekly. Your support makes our market great! Our farmers grow fresh certified California produce, our rancher raises grass-fed beef, free range chicken, and pastured pork, and our food trucks and vendors make delicious gourmet foods just for you!  And, of course, we have the very best shoppers--YOU! Vote with your forks and the family and friends on over to eat and shop local with us. Read OC Weekly article. 

Tools to Sharpen?

With all that cooking you'll be doing for the holidays, you'll definitely need your culinary tools in tip top shape! Strangely we're saying this sentence: Yes, please bring your knives and sharp objects to the market! Arnie will be there to get your tools chef-ready. You can check out his prices here.

Flavor of the Week

Find your perfect pear with Nicholas Family Farms. We've picked a few pear recipes on our Pinterest Board for you to play with, and shared some perfect pear facts from WHFoods that you'll be sure to find interesting. If you're looking for a few creative ideas and love living the farmers' market lifestyle, click through our Pinterest Board for lots of pictures, or leave a post and ask us! Whether it's about recipes, health, or wellness--we have an amazing network of chefs, health and wellness experts, and certified growers and producers on hand to be your resource! 

See you Saturday!

-SoCo Farmers' Market Staff

SoCo Farmers' Market Newsletter 09-28-12

Dragon Fruit

Tis the Season to Eat Farm Fresh!

Fall is creeping up on us, bringing with it a change in our farmers’ market offerings and our farmers. The change in season is bittersweet, as we say good bye to our beloved Sweet Tree Farms, yet say hello to Pedro’s Farms. 

Last Saturday we welcomed our new Certified Organic, local farmer, featuring organic avocados, butternut squash, and dragon fruit. This Saturday you’ll fall for our organic apples and pomegranates from Atkins Nursery and Fruita del Sol, and Blackberries and raspberries from Gaytan Family Farms. Taste the Season, isn’t it yummy?

Best Farmers Market - 3rd place!
We think we are hot stuff after being voted one of The BEST Farmers Market in Orange County! And we are happy to dedicate our win to you, our farmers’ market fans. Read the article by Lou Ponsi. And what does he list as our “Claim to Fame”? ”Open since 2010, the SoCo Farmers Market is a certified farmers market – meaning the farmers grow the produce and sell it directly to consumers”. SoCo is where the foodies go, and where you Shop. Eat. Local.

Family Fitness Day at the Market This Saturday!
As part of our National Family Fit Day, Dr. Linda Clinard returns to the Kiddie Corner with her Family Time Reading Fun! She offers free story time for kids this Saturday at the farmers' market with reading and activities at 11am and 12pm that focus on fitness and action. 

Living Fit OC will also be sharing tips and doing demos on living fit, and the info booth will be sharing recipes! "National Family Fit Days' purpose is to promote family involvement in physical activity and healthy eating habits, one the goals of our non-profit, Sprouts of Promise. 

                              

Get to Know Menos Farms 

Recently Mark Anderson our Sprouts of Promise Founder, and Elle Mari, the manager of our sister market in Newport Beach headed to the city of Riverside to visit organic farmers, Manuel and Lupe Flores, owners and operators of Menos Farms. Lupe and Manuel grow on a beautiful 4 acre property in a residential area of Riverside with the San Bernardino mountains providing a magnificent backdrop to their rows of organic veggies. 

Menos Farms has been in operation for 4 years and they grow a variety of vegetables including: tomatoes, peppers, several varieties of kale and lettuces, herbs, corn, beets, carrots, strawberries, squash, cucumbers, onions, and so much more. They are certified organic and take great care and pride in choosing only the best organic seeds and starts to grow their delicious fresh food. 

When they asked Manuel and Lupe what influenced them to grow organically, they said health was at the forefront of their minds. They regularly listen to a nutritionist who airs a local program on Spanish radio and took her advice to heart on the benefits of eating a chemical-free, vegetable rich diet. They started juicing their freshly grown fruits and veggies for breakfast each morning and Manuel lost a whopping 20lbs from his new found commitment to healthy eating! They even have all four of their kids drinking some of their favorite juice recipes like: beets, black kale, celery, and pineapple. 

Menos Farms is committed to providing you with fresh and natural produce to help you maintain (or start!) your healthy eating habits just as they do. Trust us, with the planting, picking, and weeding they do by hand each week--there's definitely something to that fresh food to give them so much energy! 

 After walking the fields with Lupe and Manuel and picking a few of our own fresh cherry tomatoes to take home with us, we asked them why you--our loyal Farmers’ Market shoppers, should choose to buy from them. Lupe said, "We grow organic food for health." Enough said! 

Celebrate Health & Wellness

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

Join Living Fit OC every month for "Health & WellnessDay" at the Market; a truly unique experience where we bring together local and organic farmers, fitness trainers, yoga instructors, healthy chefs plus much more. We will be conducting all sorts of cooking demos as well as yoga sessions, kid’s activities and giveaways! We also set up exclusive QR Codes -- the little square bar codes you can scan with your smartphone -- on all the stands, so you can scan and find out unique recipes for your favorite produce, as well as how long that particular whole food will be in season. Rain or shine meet us at SoCo Farmers' Market the first Saturday of the month, and at the Newport BeachFarmers' Market the last Sunday of the month. Want to be a vendor? Click here. 

THIS SATURDAY’s SCHEDULE
10:00 Sprouts Demo by Heinz from Around the World Herbs

10:30 Yoga Demo by CorePower- Various yoga techniques to strengthen and relax the mind, body, and spirit. 
11:00 Cooking Demo by Dave Lieberman food writer of OC Weekly
12:00 Cooking Demo by Anais Tangie of Anais+Raya at Picnics Kitchen

1:00 Fitness Demo by Stroller Stride-Various strength training exercises using the stroller and resistance bands. 

ACTIVITIES
Face-painting
Live Music

CELEBRATE OUR BIRTHDAY!

On November 10th we will be 2 years old, and we have quite the surprise waiting for you. So mark that day in your calendar, as we would love nothing more than having you to celebrate with us. We love the way you make us feel and we love this video by Rebel Studios who capture the magic of our market. Take a moment to watch this Farmers' Market Video then share with a friend, and help our market grow!

RECIPES OF THE WEEK

MASH IT UP!

Mash it up with our Mashed Millet and Cauliflower Cake! Millet is an ancient grain, full of protein, nutrients, and fiber too. Add to it cauliflower from Jeronimo at Gaytan Farms, coconut oil, and Alderwood Sea Salt form Savory Spice. This is a kid tested recipe with similar flavors like mashed potatoes, that can be made in advance. There’s 100 and 1 ways for you to mash it up and add SoCo Farmers Market toppings, including an almond meal crust from Hopkins AG. Come to the market to see Anais Tangie demo this dish at 12:00 this Saturday. We will give you a recipe. You just get the veggies.

KNOW (WHAT'S IN) YOUR FOOD

We always encourage you to ask questions and know where your food is coming from. When you get produce and meats at our market you know that it is Certified California Grown produce, and that it is clearly labeled Certified Organic when appropriate. This November California voters will make a decision that could have broad implications for food producers throughout the country: whether or not to require labeling of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in food.  Ask questions when it involves what you put in your body, you can choose.  Learn more about Proposition 37.

Newsletter 08-22-12

Taste the Season
Preserve that farm fresh flavor in a jar so you can taste the Season past its peak. Get a preserving cookbook, or ask Master Food Preservers about pickling, preserving, fermenting, and even dehydrating too! You can also stop by Bautista Creek to find striped green zucchini pickles, heirloom sun dried tomatoes & specialty jams.

Kadota 

Peakaboo, I see new!
The Kadota Fig light, with a green color and delicate skin and flesh can be found at Nicholas Family Farms now. You’ll also find its darker counterpart, the Mission Fig snuggled up beside it. Both varieties are deep, dark wells of flavor that can be enjoyed tossed in salads made with red leaf romaine from Menos Farms, served with cheese from The Cheese shop in The Mix, and honeycomb from Bee Ladies Honey, with almonds from Hopkins AG. Add did you know Bautista Creek has rainbow colored beans?

Guess who's back? 

Heinz from Around the World Herbs returns after a two week absence because of lost crops from the hot heat of Hemet. They and all our farmers are taking a hit due to the heat, with lost crops and wilted produce. Your purchase supports their livelihood, it makes a difference. We appreciate all you do for our farmers.

Anais+Raya feature farmers!
Come Farmers Market Feast with Anais+Raya as we feature SoCo and Newport Beach Farmers Market vendors, with a Community style, five course feast based on seasonal ingredients. Unpretentious, home cooked meals says the OC Weekly.

Will work for food? Come volunteer!
Spend the day volunteering at our farmers' stand for the day. You’ll be getting to know our farmers, learning about their produce, and helping them share their produce with your fellow shoppers. Or you can come volunteer at our kiddie corner and help host a fun activity. We will give you a bag of fresh fruits & veggies as our way of saying thank you. For more info, email us at socoCFM@gmail.com

Let Us Lunchbox!
Back to school typically means the lunchbox laments as you try to keep your little one nourished. This Saturday we will have print out's with some tricks of the trade, a lunchbox menu, shopping list, and a snack pack guide that’ll save even the hungriest bellies. The SoCo Farmers’ Market has got you covered Supermom.

Newsletter 07-24-12

Sprouts of Promise brings sprouts of flavor!

This Saturday we welcome Heinz and Julie from Around the World Herbs, with their vibrant wheatgrass, delicate arugula sprouts, and nutty sunflower sprouts. Their color is vibrant, and they are jam packed with nutrients that are alive with flavor and health benefits. Pick these living plants right before you toss them into your favorite salad, grain, or protein, they will add color and flavor to just about anything. Come get sprout recipes at the market this Saturday, now that’s nutritious+delicious!

Sprout it Up!
Sprouts can add nutrients and flavor to your life, so use some imagination & sprout it up! Add the radish sprout to an almond crusted, seared scallop or the sunflower sprouts to an orange and almond salad. Top grilled chicken with a handful of sprouts for a colorful change to a boring garnish, or you can toss spicy sprouts with tomatoes and a little blood orange olive oil. Our harvest grain, kumquat, & spicy sprout recipe is a simply satisfying side, and a simple recipe from Anais Tangie. Need tricks of the cooking trade? You can always ask at the info booth, we're happy to help guide you to living the farmers' market lifestyle. This Saturday we are adding more nutrients, more flavors, and more farmers’ to our market. Come enjoy!

Farmers' Market Feast 

Anais+Raya have created a culinary collective at Picnics Kitchen and are hosting Farmer's market feasts to highlight our local chefs, farmers and businesses. Every Sunday we open our doors and kitchen to the Costa Mesa community for a feast prepared in an open kitchen using fresh produce from the SoCo Farmers’ Market and Newport Beach Farmers’ Market. We blend vegan, gluten-free, free-range, grass-fed, organic and raw foods together, and serve our guests family style at a communal table. See what Greer’s OC has to say! Reserve your ticket and join us in creating community through food.  XOXO, Anais + Raya.

Health and Wellness Fair

Join Living FitOC every month for "Health & Wellness Day" at the Market; for a truly unique experience where we bring together local farmers, fitness trainers, yoga instructors, healthy chefs for a SoCo Saturday filled with cooking demos, wellness consultations, and kids activities. All for you to learn more about locally grown produce, easy exercise moves, and nourishing cooking tips.

Find our QR Codes -- the little square bar codes you can scan with your smartphone -- on our stands, so you can scan and find out unique recipes for your favorite produce, as well as how long that particular whole food will be in season. Rain or shine meet us at SoCo Farmers' Market from 9-2, on the first Saturday of the month, and at the Newport Beach Farmers’ Market from 9-2, on the last Sunday of the month.

SoCo News

The SoCo Collection + The OC Mart Mix + Friday Night Foodies are collaborating with Eat | See | Hear, to create an outdoor entertainment experience with music, food, art, and a viewing of the award-winning movie "The Artist" for a SoCo Outdoor Cinema. Do the SoCo Stroll through The OC Mart Mix and settle at the courtyard, where you'll enjoy all the beauty SoCo Collection has to offer, along with food and drink from some of our amazing vendors. We'll also have our Gourmet Food Trucks and a Buy Local Art Walk featuring some of our favorite local artists, along with our resident photographer, Anne Watson Photography. Details at theocmartmix.com.

SoCo Farmers Market Newsletter 05-25-12

Peakaboo...I see NEW!

Here comes the sun...in the form of vibrant squash blossoms! Bringing their bright color and delicate flowers farm fresh to you from Bautista Farms. We also spied gigantic bulbs of garlic, a rainbow of red, purple, and white fingerling potatoes, and purple plums at their booth, which were perfect dipped in their meyer lemon chocolate sauce. Right next door you’ll find Atkins Farms produce pick, which includes Rainier and Brook cherries, and luscious varieties of peaches, plums, and nectarines, oh my! What’s on the menu at Menos? Organic, colorful kale, and so much more! See video

Non-Profit, Sprouts of Promise
Our non-profit, Sprouts of Promise, and our farmers are so thankful that you choose our Certified Farmers Market as your Saturday destination. We want to make our Costa Mesa Community better, and partner with fellow non-profits, schools, and you! You can help by sharing, visiting, volunteering, sponsoring and donating! Donate, we’d sure appreciate it.

May 26th (12pm), Flash Mob

Flashing fashion at the market, with a Fashion Flash Mob with a cause. OC Fashion Association joins SoCo Farmers’ Market, and The OC Mart Mix for a walking display of all things local.

Summer at the Market is the fashion  theme, and SoCo Collection is the place, for a runway show that tours through an eclectic array of offerings & stores. From fashion, to farmers, to businesses, it is all about buying local, and it’s all right here a SoCo Collection. Check out OC Fashion Association last Flash Mob, and Greer’s OC write up!

June 8th, BUY LOCAL-ART WALK!

Friday Night Foodies brings local artists & gourmet food trucks under the twinkling stars every second Friday of the month, to enjoy a feast of the senses. Stomp the yard at SoCo to enjoy lots of indoor and outdoor seating, and a variety of truly gourmet foods. Gourmet food trucks, We Olive Wine Bar, Portola Coffee, The Iron Press, The Cheese Shop, N’Ice Cream, Christopher Garren's, Savory Spice & every foodie find to leave you full of flavor.Then add a live band to The Mix, and it’s Friday Night Foodies! Buy Local art, eat gourmet food, be a Friday Night foodie.

Farm to Food Truck Challenge III - June 9th (9am-2pm)

Want to be a Top Chop Judge? Share this post, get your friends to “like” it, the one with the most likes wins! Our Farm to Food Truck Challenge III has more than 

• 15 Gourmet Food Trucks: Dos Chinos, Rancho a Go Go, Lobsta Truck, Panfiniti, The Flip Truck, Calbi, Tailgate, Bakery Truck, Tropical Shave Ice. 
• Six Challengers: Bacon Mania, Seabirds, Taco Maria, Tamarindo, Barcelona On the Go, and Chomp Chomp in an epic challenge to win Top Chop Truck! 
• Six Top Chop Judges, Mona Shah Anderson, O.C restaurant publicist, Chef Andrew Gruel, Winner of Farm2GFTII, and Owner of SlapFish, Chef Santanna Salas from Haven Gastropub, Kim Glen, representing the City of Costa Mesa, and Priscilla Willis, She’s Cookin’, (and maybe you!) who choose 
• 5 mystery ingredients, and
• 1 Food Blogger Bobby Navarro who will act as MC.

Farm fresh ingredients are transformed in 60 minutes, with dishes judged on creativity, taste and presentation. The Challenge kicks off at 12 pm, judging begins at 1pm and the winner will be announced at 1:30 pm. RSVP’ing for Farm to Food Truck Challenge III, and you’ll be entered to win a slew of prizes, and you’ll be kept up to date on all the details.

Costa Mesa Cheer will be cheering on our Challengers and their epic Clash of the Titans!

Proud Supporters

We love our proud supporters! Including our Event Partner Granola Babies, and our Farmers' Market Sponsors! Thank you for making our event possible, our farmers and our food trucks thank you!
Media Sponsors
OC Foodies
OC Executive Magazine

Non-Profit Sponsors
BAMGAM
Share Our Selves


Event Sponsors
Foodie in Disguise
Plum Organics
We Olive
The OC Mart Mix
Frame My Art
Blossom
Seabirds

Want to be a sponsor? Learn how with our Sponsorship Package

Farm to Food Truck Challenge III Sponsorship Card

SoCo Farmers' Market Newsletter 04-25-12

Da-Le Ranch - Grass fed meats!

One of our newest additions to the market, Dave of Da-Le Ranch from Lake Elsinore will now be at the market every Saturday (he had been rotating every other Saturday). Da-Le Ranch brings FARM-FRESH pork, chicken, lamb, beef, rabbit & turkey, by the individual cut, or sides. Full, half and quarter sides available for the freezer. All meats are U.S.D.A. inspected, where required. You can't beat the quality of the locally raised, pastured, grass-fed meats (as well as free range eggs). Come stop by and chat with Dave to find out all about the health benefits of non-factory farmed meats. And come early for the eggs....they go quickly!



The Secrets Behind Store Bought Orange Juice
The package says 100% Fresh Juice. Think that means it is simply squeezed, packaged and sent to the store? Wrong! De-oxygenation and flavor packs are part of it. Read about the behind the scenes manufacturing process of store bought OJ. But have no fear, Bautista Creek Ranch from Hemet is now squeezing fresh orange juice at the market from their amazing local navel and valencia oranges. Come experience the taste of pure orange goodness. 



OC Pregnancy & Beyond (Sat, May 5th, 11-3pm)
Granola Babies, a proud sponsor of our market and SoCo tenant, is hosting the 2nd Annual OC Pregnancy & Beyond Event. The event will feature great workshops led by pregnancy and baby experts, nutritional advice, live music and an introduction to the best of OC's mother-baby services and products to help you celebrate the journey of pregnancy, birth and beyond! Visit this great event going on right next door to the farmers' market that day. Buy $50 worth of produce that day and you’ll get a FREE Farmers Market reusable tote (while supplies last) and be entered to win a convenient Hook N' Go shopping cart to drape your bags from when you stroll the market.

Buy Local Art Walk! (Friday, May 11th, 5-8pm) 

Friday Night Foodies (held every Friday 5-8pm at SoCo) brings gourmet food trucks to The Mix for a feast of the senses. Starting May 11th, local artists will be on display the 2nd Friday of each month for a Buy Local Art Walk. Now you can stomp the yard at SoCo Collection to enjoy quality gourmet food trucks, local artists, as well as beverages, restaurants & bars! Lots of indoor & outdoor seating available. Add a live band to The Mix & you’ve got Friday Night Foodies! New restaurants and boutique stores opening each week around here, so you're sure to find something new! 

Bacon Mania
Past F2FTC Champion

Farm to Food Truck Challenge Returns (June 9th)
It's back! Join us for a Clash of the Titans, as we bring the farm to the food trucks in an epic challenge to win Top Chop Truck! Third time is a charm for SoCoFM as we host our third F2FTC. Haven’t been? Here is what you have missed (pics/video). 20+ farmers' market vendors, 15 food trucks, 6 judges. Who will compete? Who will be the judge? All will be revealed as the June 9th date charges closer. Prepare for battle by RSVP’ing and you’ll be entered to win a slew of prizes, and you’ll be kept up to date on all the details - including a chance to be a judge! 



See you Saturday!