Every Sunday, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Marin County Civic Center, the Sunday Marin Farmers Market transforms a large parking lot into a community experience. The market is accessible with plenty of parking, just off Highway 101. Offering live music, fresh produce, artwork, jewelry, and various prepared foods, the Sunday Marin Farmers Market provides small businesses the opportunity to showcase their material, and customers the ability to shop locally.
The Sunday Marin Farmers Market is the third-largest farmers market in California and is a part of the Agricultural Institute of Marin (AIM). AIM is an institution that works to connect and educate communities and farmers as a part of a local and regional food system that is healthy, and kind to the environment. Established in 1987, the Sunday Marin Farmers Market has a long history in Marin. Known for its wide variety of fresh produce, the market exudes craftsmanship and artistry with over 200 local vendors and a wide range of products from handmade art and jewelry to fresh cheeses and juices.
Vendors and local businesses alike take pride in their work and are willing to answer questions about their products. When shopping at each of the stands in the market, it allows you to be face to face with the farmers that your produce is directly grown by, creating a tight community between the shoppers and vendors. The prices at the farmers market are modest and many vendors accept credit cards or Venmo, but bring some cash in case. If you forget cash the market conveniently has accessible ATMs.
One unique stand JQIN Branches, owned by Jade Qin, displays numerous beautiful handmade jewelry. JQIN presents a variety of earrings, rings, bracelets, and necklaces all made with either sterling silver or 14-carat gold. Accompanied by an arrangement of adjustable beaded bracelets, JQIN’s high-quality jewelry offers a piece for everyone.
Alongside produce and art, the farmers market offers a variety of prepared food for purchase. Rows of food trucks showcase numerous options, ranging from buttery warm crepes to savory empanadas. Other stands boast refreshing drinks, including smoothies, kombuchas, and freshly squeezed juices to quench your thirst.
Brittany Crepes, a stand located in the eatery row, offers both sweet and savory crepes. Featuring the perfect ratio of filling to crepe batter, the crepes are handmade right in front of you. The sweet crepe with fresh strawberries and raspberry sauce was the perfect combination of warm filling and cold creamy whipped cream, and the large crepe justified the 13-dollar cost.
Different kinds of live music, including jazz and classical, add a lovely ambiance to the experience of wandering the market. A diverse collection of different flowers are also on display, completing the market’s beautiful scenery. All of these flowers are available for purchase, and at certain vendors, you can mix and match to make your own arrangements, including vendors Cypress Flower Farm and Neve Bros. Inc.
Whether you visit to purchase your weekly groceries or just to have a look at handmade jewelry, the Sunday Marin Farmers Market market has it all. The market prohibits pets but is family-friendly and a great place to spend your Sunday. Earning a four and a half out of five feathers, The Sunday Marin Farmers Market excels in its outstanding selection of produce but could improve with the implementation of a cohesive form of payment from all vendors.
