Holiday cookie demonstration and recipe exchange ~ December 9

On December 9 at 10:30 am, learn how to make three different seasonal and sustainable holiday cookies using farmers' market ingredients. CUESA’s Market Chef, Shanti Wilson, and long-time volunteer and baker Keri Keifer will lead this fun and mouthwatering demonstration. Samples will be provided! Bring your favorite cookie recipe that features seasonal ingredients and leave with a new set of recipes for the holiday season. This free event will take place in CUESA's Dacor teaching kitchen in the arcades north of the Ferry Building's clocktower.

David Kamp in Conversation with Clark Wolf, benefitting CUESA ~ Thursday, November 30

In his new book, United States of Arugula, David Kamp, a writer and editor for GQ and Vanity Fair, chronicles the amazing transformation from the overcooked vegetables and scary gelatin salads of yore to the current heyday of free-range chickens, extra-virgin olive oil, Whole Foods, Starbucks, and that breed of human known as the “foodie.” This special event will benefit CUESA. Learn more >

Double K Christmas Tree Farm back tomorrow!

Every Saturday from tomorrow until December 9, you can buy long-lasting, old-fashioned, Silver Tip trees at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market. Double K Christmas Tree Farm will be located on the far North side of the market along the Embarcadero, and there will be a Christmas tree loading zone curbside. The farm will bring mostly small (5 feet and under) trees to the market, but you can special order larger trees in advance by calling 707.773.4702 and asking for Bill or Nan. They will also be selling pine cones and swag for your holiday decorations.

East Bay Food Tour on Wednesday, December 13

Join CUESA from 10 am to 3 pm for a midweek tour of three local businesses that sell their food products at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market. The first stop will be Blue Bottle Coffee in Emeryville, microroasters of organic and shade grown coffee. Next we will visit June Taylor Company in Berkeley, where June makes preserves the traditional way, using fruits from local family farms. Finally we will tour the facility where the Pasta Shop makes its fresh ravioli and other pastas. The tour is $20 per person and requires your own transportation. The group will be limited to 15 people. To reserve your spot, e-mail julie@cuesa.org or call Julie at 415-291-3276 x106.

November 25 and 26 ~ Fungus Festival

On Saturday, November 25 and Sunday, November 26, the Ferry Building Marketplace, Far West Fungi and Ferry Plaza Farmers Market will celebrate culinary mushrooms! Festivities begin on Saturday at 10 am with a range of free events including Mushroom Growing Tables, Meet the Mushroom Farmer Talk with John Garrone of Far West Fungi, Mushroom Cooking Demo with Chef Bryan Waites of Medicine Restaurant, Music, Mushroom Displays and Children’s Coloring Table. The weekend event will benefit the Mycological Society of San Francisco.

Saturday, December 2 ~ Market to Table events

10 am - Meet the farmer

10:30 am - Seasonal cooking demonstration
Jeffrey Axell of Hyatt Regency San Francisco

11:30 am - Talk and book signing
Join us for a talk and book signing with Sandor Katz featuring his new book, The Revolution Will Not Be Microwaved: Inside America's Underground Food Movements. Sandor will also lead a demonstration on making fermented foods with farmers' market vegetables.

location: CUESA's Dacor teaching kitchen in the arcades north of the Ferry Building's clocktower

CUESA is happy to announce that you might not need to go to the mall this gift-giving season. Just in time for one of the biggest shopping weekends of the year come enough farmers’ market present ideas to satisfy almost any friend or relative. Instead of sitting around on shelves for ages or getting one wear before they head to thrift store, these presents are sure to be loved, used and eaten!

Ferry Plaza Farmers Market gift coins - This year, packages of 20 or 50 $1 wooden gift coins are available! All Ferry Plaza Farmers Market farmers and vendors will accept them in lieu of cash, so they work just like a gift certificate. These make a great gift for both die-hard shoppers and those who have never visited the market before. To purchase gift coins, call 415.291.3276 x103 or email christine@cuesa.org.

Nuts and beans – Shelled and unshelled nuts are a tradition at the holiday table. At the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market, you'll also find lots of flavored nuts and nut butters. Also consider giving bags of beautiful heirloom beans—they make a great gift that can be enjoyed after the holidays are over and winter settles in.

Ferry Plaza Farmers Market aprons and totes – Merchandise adorned with our colorful market logo is available at Bay Crossings inside the Ferry Building. Fill a tote with goodies from the market, or wrap an apron around a bottle of olive oil.

Oils and vinegars – Many varieties of olive oil and several types of vinegar are available at the market and make practical gifts that can easily be shipped.

Oranges – Revive the tradition of stuffing oranges in stockings! Clementine and Satsuma mandarins and navel oranges make sweet, sustainable stocking stuffers. So do fruits like persimmons and pomegranates.

A CSA membership – A season of fresh food from one of the farms in our market is truly a gift that will keep giving! Visit these websites to learn more:
www.eatwell.com
www.farmfreshtoyou.com
www.mariquita.com
www.tierravegetables.com
www.froghollow.com

Cakes and cookies – At the market you’ll find lots of baked sweets to bring to parties, stuff in baskets, or serve at your holiday gathering.

Sachets, hydrosols, and essential oils – Winter is the time of year when we spend the most hours indoors. Earthy scents like lavender, sage, douglas fir, bay, and rose are great gifts for the home.

Knife sharpening – A knife sharpening gift certificate is a wonderful present for the home cook. Visit Critical Edge at the Tuesday or Saturday market.

Charcuterie and smoked salmon – Salamis, terrines, sausages, pates, jerky and confits are great presents for party hosts and will undoubtedly be devoured at any holiday gathering. Smoked salmon also makes a delicious, traditional and shippable gift.

Preserves – Dried fruit, jams, fruit butters, marmalades, syrups, sauces, and pickles all make wonderful additions to gift baskets. Make your own preserves from what's available at the market right now, or buy from the many farmers and artisans who preserve fruits and vegetables at the height of their seasons.

Cheeses – Aged and fresh cheeses are abundant at the farmers’ market. Choose a combination of cow’s and goat’s milk cheeses made in the French, Peruvian and American traditions.

Bee products – At the market you'll find Peninsula, San Francisco, East Bay, Marin and other wildflower honeys as well as bee pollen and sweetly scented beeswax candles.

Donate in someone’s name – For the person who has it all, click here to donate to CUESA in their name! CUESA will send an acknowledgement card to the person in whose name you've donated, and since CUESA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, all contributions are tax deductible.

Happy shopping!

Please note that due to the Thanksgiving holiday, this week's market update only includes the information we had as of Friday, November 17. Please check with the friendly folks at our Information Booth for an update!

Saturday, November 25

In: Double K Christmas Tree Farm!!
Out: Balakian Farm, Fatted Calf, Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese, Knoll Farms, Mariquita Farm