Farmer's markets abound in valley

NUTS! I missed Sheep-Shearing Day at the San Ramon Farmers Market! I was out of town for the opening day festivities, but luckily, the new gift shop was open the next weekend when I visited. While a gift shop at a farmers market may be a first, the fact that it's there characterizes farmers markets. You never know what you'll find at one of our local farm-fresh food festivals that sprout up like sunflowers in this sunny season. I frequent the San Ramon and Danville farmers markets because they're close by. But I've also dropped in on the Pleasanton and Livermore markets, to see what they have to offer.

And so far I've found everything from that irresistible kettle corn to special jewelry by local artisans such as Camille Thompson. Part of the fun of going to farmers markets is the surprise factor. Naturally all the markets have the standard farm-grown fruits and veggies — some I can't even identify. But each market has its own personality.

Not only do I find what's new in vegetables, but what else under the sun, so to speak, I can buy to add to my table.

For example, the Pleasanton market offers a program where patrons can donate extra purchases to a food program called Open Heart. The San Ramon market has its own gift shop, housed in a restored foreman's house, where locals can buy retro penny candy for the kids, old-fashioned Victorian hats for the ladies and tiny tractors for boys of all ages. I bought a

Proceeds go to the restoration of the Forest Home Farms, which includes an 1877 Victorian home that's listed on the Register of Historic Place, and a museum that will someday showcase life as it was in old San Ramon.

But the best part of a farmers market is simply wandering the aisles in search of a new find. Last week, I saw a real bee hive and watched bees create locally made honey. I sampled free mini donuts and dunked them in a fresh cup of coffee. I tried a taste of Afghan vegetarian food, local olives, handmade cheeses and a mouth-watering, made-to-order crepe.

Once my tummy was satisfied, I checked out the fresh flowers for my table, scented soaps that look like fluffy cupcakes and a beautiful necklace I'd never find in a department store. I could even sign up for an old-time hoedown and barn dance, a talk on local history, a Victorian tea and an ice cream social. All this while enjoying music, chatting with friends, and drinking up the beautiful weather.

While Sheep-Shearing Day may be over, there's plenty left for me and my grandchildren to enjoy — face painting, tractor rides, arts and crafts. And someday, the historic 16-acre Forest Home Farms, donated to the city by the Boone Family, will be much more than a farmers market. It will be a dream come true for local residents.

Reach Penny Warner at pennywarner.com.