Get your gifts (and get them wrapped!) at the farmers' market

Every gift-giving season, we encourage readers to do their holiday shopping at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market. Starting next Saturday, we're providing an extra motivation--we'll wrap farmers' market gifts for you at no cost! Our gift-wrapping station will be set up in the South Driveway, near Eatwell Farm, on December 8, 15 and 22. Volunteers will be available to wrap your farmers' market purchases of $30 or more in baskets, bags or boxes. Taste Catering generously donated 50 baskets, which will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Ferry Plaza Farmers Market tote bags and gift certificate coins will also be available for purchase, and we will have holiday-themed wrapping paper and ribbon. Check out the Holiday Gifts section of our website for ideas for farm fresh presents >

Festival of Roots! ~ December 15

Do you know a daikon from a rutabaga? Stop by the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market from 10 am to 1 pm on Saturday, December 15 for root kebabs, both roasted and raw, complete with a key that will walk you through each bite. Check out our root display table and pick up some recipes. From 10:30 to 11 am, meet farmer Grant Brians of Heirloom Organics, who grows carrots, turnips, radishes, rutabagas, and more. All programs take place in front of the Ferry Building, north of the clock tower. Get back to your roots!

Local waters are open for fishing

The state of California has lifted a fishing ban put in place after 58,000 gallons of bunker fuel spilled in the San Francisco Bay on November 7. Testing of more than 1,000 fish and crabs showed no contamination from the spill. However, consumers are advised against eating oysters and mussels from the Bay (Hog Island's are safe--their sheltered location left them unaffected by the spill). You can expect to see Dungeness crab at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market beginning tomorrow! Click here to read a San Francisco Chronicle article about the lifting of the ban >

Book signing ~ December 4

Patricia Klindienst, author of The Earth Knows My Name: Food, Culture, and Sustainability in the Gardens of Ethnic Americans, will give a talk and sign copies of her book on Tuesday, December 4 at 6 pm at Book Passage in the Ferry Building.

Saturday, December 1 ~ Market to Table programs

10:30 am - Meet the producer
Douglas Hernandez of Paradez Farms

11 am - Seasonal cooking demonstration
Laura Stec, Chef and Owner of Laura Stec - Innovative Cuisine and Author of The Global Warming Diet

Saturday, December 8 ~ Market to Table programs

10:30 am - Meet the producer

11 am - Seasonal cooking demonstration
Leland Jung of Alive! Restaurant

All events take place in our Dacor teaching kitchen in the arcade north of the Ferry Building's clock tower unless otherwise noted.

CUESA’s culinary intern, Julia Allenby, wrote this week’s e-letter.

The holiday season is in full swing, and that means parties. Whether you’re planning an elaborate soiree or just want to make sure you’re prepared for inevitable drop-in guests, you can find plenty of options at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market. Local fields and waters yield everything you might need to nourish (and impress) your visitors.

What could be easier than a bowl of nuts? At the market, you’ll find roasted and seasoned almonds and walnuts, and several vendors offer chestnuts, ready for roasting, and walnuts and pistachios in the shell.

Ready-made dips like hummus and flavored goat cheeses make a perfect pair with fresh-baked bread or crackers from one of several bakeries. Mix together fresh goat cheese and yogurt and add some fresh minced herbs for a delicious dip. Your crudités platter can include perennial favorites like thick carrot slices, celery stalks, and blanched snow peas.

It’s easy to put together a cheese tray using the selections available from the market’s cheesemakers. A well-balanced plate includes a soft or triple cream cheese (like Andante’s Picolo), a semi-soft cheese (such as Point Reyes Original Blue), and a firm cheese (try Achadinha’s Capricious). Pair your selections with marmalade from June Taylor, like Meyer Lemon and Rosemary, or drizzle a generous wedge of cheese with Snyders or Marshall’s honey.

A charcuterie tray is another simple party option. Ready-to-eat sausages and salumi can be garnished with pickled vegetables from Happy Girl Kitchen, like spicy carrots and bread-and-butter squash.

Oyster lovers can get a variety of treats at Hog Island’s stand. The “extra smalls” and Kumamoto varieties are best for eating raw on the half shell. Pick up a shallot or two, and mix up a quick mignonette sauce of diced shallots, olive oil and wine vinegar.

Cap’n Mike made a great suggestion as we passed his stand the other day: a half salmon, smoked and cured. Arranged on your best platter, surrounded with fresh dill and lemon wedges, it’s an easy and elegant party starter.

If you’d like to spend a little time in the kitchen before your guests arrive, you can whip up some deviled eggs, stuffed mushrooms, or a quick quiche. Our website has some great recipes provided by local chefs, like Sherry Glazed Figs Stuffed with Toasted Walnuts and Cheese, and Kale, Sun-dried Tomato & Goat Cheese Pesto.

You can also satisfy the dessert lovers in your crowd during your farmers’ market visit. Several bakeries offer pies, pastries and cookies in addition to their crusty loaves. Or fill a bowl with nut brittle or chocolate-covered dried fruits and almonds. Create a simple, edible centerpiece by filling a bowl with luscious apples, persimmons and Satsuma mandarins.

To help you with your decorating, many flower vendors offer wreaths and holiday-themed bouquets. You can even select your Christmas tree (with a loading zone located conveniently nearby).

You’ll find the beginnings of some classic holiday beverages at the market, as well: crisp apple cider and creamy eggnog. And don’t forget the freshly roasted coffee beans.

See you at the market!

This is the most up-to-date information about which sellers will and won't be attending the market as of Friday, when we send this letter. If there are no changes to a seller's status, they will not be listed. To find out which farmers regularly attend each market, click here. Please understand that there are often last minute changes--it's the nature of farming!

Saturday, December 1

In/returning: Shogun Fish Company, Short Night Farms, Everything Under the Sun, Brokaw Nursery, The Fatted Calf, Hodo Soy, McGinnis Ranch, Glashoff Farms, Redwood Hill Farm, Point Reyes Blue Cheese, Apple Farm, Capay Canyon Ranch, Knoll Farms, Happy Quail Farm, Bernard Ranches, Lagier Ranches
New seller: Marin Roots Farm! (they will be located in the front south near Blue Bottle Coffee and Marshall's Honey)
Out for the season: Balakian Farms, Flatland Flower Farm, The Peach Farm, Madison Growers, Lucero Organic Farm

Tuesday, December 4

In: Allstar Organics
Out: Happy Quail Farm

Please note: The Tuesday Ferry Plaza Farmers Market will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Otherwise, we will be open through the holiday season.