With all due respect to the fine offerings at grocery stores everywhere, there’s something about farm fresh fruits and vegetables that just makes them, well, better.

There are nearly a dozen farmers’ markets operating from Folsom to Placerville and from Roseville to Auburn, featuring anything you can think of that comes from a farm. Fresh made breads, pies, preserves and sauces complement an array of herbs, flowers, eggs, wines, honey, beeswax candles, and, of course, fruits and vegetables. Almost everything is locally grown, much of it is organic, and there are plenty of free samples.

Farmers’ markets provide us with an obviously more healthful venue and variety from which to sustain our minds and bodies. Not only do we get the freshest of the fresh in nutrition – as opposed to what you find at other outlets from mass-distributors and processors – but we also benefit in other ways, such as developing a sense of community. The “wholeness” aspect of farmers’ markets is not only in the food, but also a nice perk of meandering through rows of goods-for-sale and chatting to neighbors…it’s a whole-body experience. Style has dug up a list of local markets to delight all of the senses.

Granite Bay

Sundays: Quarry Ponds Town Center – Beginning June 6, come to the Foothill Farmers’ Market at Quarry Ponds, 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Sunday through December 2010. quarryponds.com

Folsom

Fridays: Briggs Ranch Plaza – Starting June 4, and running through October, this open-air market is held from 8-noon. eldoradofarmersmarket.com

Sundays: Sutter Street – The Sutter Street market kicks off June 13, on the 900 block, in front of the Folsom Lake Bank Building, and runs from 8 a.m.-noon. In addition to fruits and vegetables, you can usually find fresh flowers. downtownfolsom.com

El Dorado Hills

Thursdays: EDH CSD – From 8 a.m. to noon, stop by the parking lot of the El Dorado Hills Community Services Center at El Dorado Hills Boulevard and Harvard Way. eldoradofarmersmarket.com

Sundays: Town Center – The parking lot at Town Center is closed to traffic and becomes home to one of the larger farmers’ markets around, featuring almost a full spectrum of fresh foods and accompaniments, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. eldoradofarmersmarket.com

Cameron Park

Wednesdays: Burke Junction – Stop by the corner of Coach Lane and Strolling Hills Road, Wednesday from 8 a.m. to noon, for a healthy variety of ripe and ready-to-eat options.

Placerville

Saturdays: Historic Main Street – Visit the Ivy House parking area at the corner of Main Street and Cedar Ravine to find several booths with locally grown produce. eldoradofarmersmarket.com

South Lake Tahoe


Tuesdays: American Legion Hall Parking Lot
 2732 – Beginning June 1, and continuing through October 5 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., find fresh fare, produce, local art and more.

Finally, if you’re heading out of town and can’t resist locally grown produce, visit cafarmersmarkets.com where you can search local farmers’ markets by city. Just don’t be too disappointed if nothing else compares to the quality and variety you can find right here at home.

And don't forget to check out our “10 Reasons to Buy Local.”