By Jennie Haug*
While many visit the Napa Valley in pursuit of fine wine to stock their cellar with, for those more hungry than thirsty, the Napa Valley offers a plethora of places to load up on gourmet goodies.
Our day begins with an early start at the Napa Farmer’s Market, where we’ll mingle with well-known chefs scoping out produce for tonight’s specials, winemakers and their families eagerly awaiting tomato season, students from the Culinary Institute, teenagers grabbing a scone on the way to school, and the passionate people who sell what they’ve raised, produced, caught or created.
Napa Valley Farmer’s Markets are held in many locations and offer a fantastic array of locally grown produce, still warm bread and pastries, artisanal cheeses, tempting ready-to-eat foods, organic meats, fresh and smoked fish, colorful fresh flowers, unusual handcrafts, and depending on the time of day, a cup of coffee or a glass of wine. Here is a list of markets
Napa Farmer’s Market
500 First Street in the Copia South parking lot, Napa
Season: May - October
Days & hours: Tuesdays and Saturdays 7:30am – 12 noon
(707) 252-7142
http://www.commongreens.com
Napa Chef’s Market
Downtown Napa on First Street
Season: Memorial Day – August
Day & hours: Friday 5pm – 9pm
http://www.commongreens.com
Yountville Farmer’s Market
6539 Washington Street, Compadre’s Restaurant parking lot
Season: June – September
Day & hours: Wednesday 4pm – 8pm
(707) 944-0904
No web address
St. Helena Farmer’s Market
Crane Park on Grayson Avenue, St. Helena
Season: May – October
Day & hours: Friday 7:30am – 12 noon
www.sthelenafarmersmkt.org
Calistoga Farmer’s Market
1546 Lincoln Avenue, Calistoga (at the former Gliderport)
(707) 942-4343
Season: June – September
Day & hours: Saturdays 8:30am – 12:30pm
No web address
* Jennie Haug has lived in the Napa Valley for over a decade and works in the wine industry.
Continue our Gourmet Napa Adventure with stops at Shackfords Kitchen Store and Annette’s Chocolates