Foodwise | May 2, 2025 | View as Webpage

Berry Smart: A Farmers Market Guide to Berries

What do strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries have in common? Besides having “berry” in the name and making a delicious base for pies and jams, not a whole lot, at least on paper. Many of these fruits are readily available at grocery stores year-round, either frozen or imported. But as anyone who has bit into a bland and watery strawberry knows, berries are best enjoyed freshly harvested at their seasonal peak.

Here’s a guide to some of the locally grown berries you’ll find at the farmers market in the spring and summer. Due to their delicate flesh and short shelf life, some of these berries can only be found at the farmers market, so savor them in their juicy glory while you can. Stop by the orange Seasonal Spotlight tent this month for samples, recipes, and cooking tips on creative ways to enjoy berries, and be sure to celebrate the bounty of berries with us at the Berry Bash on Saturday, May 31.

This Week's Picks

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Tomorrow's Demo: Vina Thakkar Patel

Tomorrow at 11 am, join us at the Foodwise Classroom for a free cooking demo and book signing with Vina Thakkar Patel, author of The Spice Collector's Cookbook. As always, recipes and free samples will be available for all.

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Become a Foodwise Sustainer and Receive a Special Invite

Join our group of monthly donors who are committed to sustainable family farms, food access, and youth education. Become a Foodwise Sustainer by May 22 (the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market’s 32nd birthday) and you’ll be invited to a special gathering on May 31!

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Take Action to Protect AmeriCorps

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is making deep cuts to AmeriCorps, which provides critical support that nonprofits rely on to deliver services in local communities. Foodwise depends on AmeriCorps' Sustainability Service Corps to help staff our youth education programs. Call and email your representatives now to urge them to protect AmeriCorps.

Act now

Work with Us! Job and Internship Opportunities

We're currently hiring for an experienced Youth Education Manager for our Foodwise Kids and Foodwise Teens programs; apply by May 11. We're also seeking a paid Culinary Program Intern to support our Seasonal Spotlight program.

Learn more

Strawberry Vinaigrette

Every week, Culinary Program Manager Naomi Webb prepares a new recipe to sample at the Seasonal Spotlight tent. Try this sweet and tart vinaigrette as a topping on salads or a marinade for grilled chicken.

Try the recipe

Ferry Plaza Farmers Market: Featured Vendors

Mandela Partners Pop-Up: Tutuli Mexican Bakery

Sofia's signature coyotas are stuffed with seasonal fillings sourced from local farms. Visit Tutuli on Saturdays at the Ferry Plaza through June and discover why they named one of the best bakeries in the Bay Area.

Meet Tutuli Mexican Bakery

New! Stock Up on Leafy Greens at RHJ Farms

Rafael Garcia harvests leafy greens, onions, strawberries, and more on the same land where he once planted fruit as a farmworker. Visit RHJ Farms on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market.

Meet RHJ Farms

Mission Community Market: Featured Vendors

Artichokes and More at Avila Farms

On 23 acres in Hollister, the Avila family grows all of the spring greens you can imagine, including large artichokes and green onions. Visit Avila Farms on Thursdays at the Mission Community Market.

Meet Avila Farms

Pasture-Raised Eggs at Winters Fruit Tree

Phil’s grandparents started their family farm in the 1920s in the Santa Clara Valley, growing cherries and apricots. Now, Winters Fruit Tree offers nuts, jams, pasture-raised eggs, and more in the Mission and at the Ferry Plaza.

Meet Winters Fruit Tree

Community Happenings

Santa Cruz Mountain Mushroom Festival | May 3-4 | Felton

Small Business Fest | May 7 | SF

Foreign Cinema Guest Chef Dinner with Bruce Hill (proceeds support Foodwise) | May 8 | SF

Foodwise Volunteer Orientation | May 10 | SF

Mother's Day Tea & Social at In The Black | May 10 | SF

Mother's Day Concert at Eatwell Farm | May 11 | Dixon

Foodwise Demo: Chris Yang, Piglet & Co | May 17 | SF

Foodwise Demo: Rick Martinez, Salsa Daddy | May 17 | SF

Setting a Place for Us Author Talk: Hawa Hassan in Conversation with Shakirah Simley | May 21 | SF

Foodwise Demo: Reina Montenegro, Chef Reina | May 31 | SF

Berry Bash | May 31 | SF

Salt & Straw Ice Cream Samples and Book Signing | June 5 | SF

Pop-Ups on the Plaza: Juneteenth on the Waterfront | June 7 | SF

Foodwise Demo: Fernay McPherson, Minnie Bell’s Soul Movement | June 7 | SF

Market Updates

This is the most up-to-date info about this week's seller attendance at the time of publication. Please check in at the Foodwise Info Booth for any last-minute changes.

Ferry Plaza Farmers Market: Saturday, 8am-2pm | May 3

New! Painted Leopard, Papa's Dumpling

La Cocina Pop-Up: Dulce Maná

Mandela Partners Pop-Up: Tutuli Mexican Bakery

Returning: K&J Farms, Kashiwase Farms, Little Moon Bakehouse, Old Dog Ranch

Out: Baby Bean Pie, Bariani Olive Oil, Far West Fungi, Gumbo Social, Hodo

Ferry Plaza Farmers Market: Tuesday, 10am-2pm | May 6

New! Asúkar Palestinian-Cuban Fusion, Crane Creek Growers,Papa's Dumpling, RHJ Farms

En2Action/Ujamaa Kitchen: Remy Creations

Community Tent: SFE Bee Campaign

Ferry Plaza Farmers Market: Thursday, 10am-2pm | May 8

New! Nusa, RHJ Farms