451 Main Street, Unit 5, Placerville, 530-333-5443, lanalanegourmetgoods.com

This COVID-19 craziness has made me forget how much I enjoy cruising around shops in the “Old Town” district of any city that has one: Folsom, Sacramento, Roseville, and—one of my favorites—Placerville. But the real joy in these historic California landmarks is ducking off Main Street into an alley and finding a hidden gem that only locals and informed food writers know exists. Fortunately, I belong to the latter. So my excursion on this day included a visit to Lana Lane Gourmet Goods—a treasure trove of tantalizing treats, teas, coffees, decadent baked goods (some gluten-free and vegan!), jams, tapenades, olive oils, and other epicurean delights. I sampled several of Lana’s jams and brought home the Strawberry Balsamic: a tough choice over the Raspberry Jalapeño. I also grabbed a Jalapeño Whiskey Mustard (sensing a theme here?) and a Cherry Turnover, because how could I resist? I also couldn’t leave without a bag of her Rockin’ Spiced Nuts, because they caught my eye and because I also know that Lana Lane is an accomplished rock vocalist with multiple albums to her credit (and she’s a lot of fun to talk to). Stop by for a cup of coffee and a pastry, sample some jams (great for gifts), and take home some of her other goodies. You’ll be glad you did!

MORE ARTISAN-MADE FOODS WE LOVE…

Pistachio Butter, $18.85 from Fiddyment Farms, 563 Second Street, Suite 210, Lincoln, 916-645-7244, fiddymentfarms.com

Meyer Lemon Flavored Extra Virgin Olive Oil, $18 from High-Hand Olive Oil Company, 3750 Taylor Road, Loomis, 916-652-7003 x.3, highhandnursery.com/shop-the-fruit-shed/high-hand-olive-oil-company

Halloumi-Style Cheese, $8.50 from Long Dream Farm, 4053 Wilson Town Road, Lincoln, 916-432-3316, longdreamfarm.org

Local Wildflower Honey, $10 from Moore Natural Ranch, 7250 Sierra Ponds Lane, Granite Bay, 916-277-4561, moorenaturalranch.com

Birthday Cake Popcorn, starts at $5.95 from Nibblers Popcorn Company, 4420 Town Center Boulevard, El Dorado Hills, Suite 100, 916-235-2400, nibblerspopcorn.com

Tomato Basil Jam, $8.50 from Smokey Ridge Ranch, 2160 Carson Road, Placerville, 530-626-5077, smokeyridgeranch.com

Mandarin Orange Mustard Dressing, $8 from Snow’s Citrus, 9860 Powerhouse Road, Newcastle, 916-663-1884, snowscitrus.com

Habanero Salsa, $5 from The Crazy Gringo Taco Wagon Salsa Co., 3300 Coach Lane, A15 and A14, Cameron Park, 530-305-3675, thecrazygringotacowagonsalsaco.com