Farmers Markets in Western Contra Costa County

Somewhere in the midst of a typical case of winter doldrums is a meal routine that has become as dull and grey as the skies.

When spring finally comes, and then summer, there is a tendency to clean up, spruce up, and make changes. Those changes extend to food. Instead of relying on frozen concoctions in little black plastic trays, a cornucopia of fresh fruits and vegetables is readily available.

So even if you haven't really done your spring cleaning, even if your back yard looks more like back to nature, a visit to a farmers' market is sure to restore freshness to your senses and reinvigorate your palate.

And when you visit a farmers' market in Western Contra Costa County, you know you will be dealing with the growers themselves. Each of the following markets is part of the California Federation of Certified Farmers' Markets, ensuring fruits and vegetables are sold by the farmers who raise them.

Additional items are also available at many of these markets, including baked goods, fresh flowers, and artwork. Whether for your stomach or your soul, the emphasis, again, is on unique, fresh items sold by the very people who made it.

In most cases, these markets are located within shopping centers or central shopping districts, too, allowing customers to do a wide variety of shopping without making multiple stops.

So delve into the best of summer and enjoy one of these local farmers' markets today:

*El Cerrito has farmers' markets every Tuesday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the El Cerrito Plaza, located at the corner of San Pablo Avenue and Fairmont Avenue. No ordinary farmers' market, these two markets also offer art, live music, and the opportunity to win prizes.

*Richmond has a farmers' market every Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the corner of Civic Center Plaza Drive and McDonald Avenue.

*Pinole's farmers' market takes place every Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at its new location at the corner of Fernandez Avenue and Pear Street. Recent additions to the market include baked goods and work by local artists.

To keep up with changes and learn of new West County markets as they begin, keep these web sites handy: