Note: This post is part of an ongoing blog series called #costamesa365 where the author is striving to shop only* in her city of Costa Mesa, for a year.
Yesterday’s post was all about struggle. (And it’s real.)
Today’s is all about… veggies!
Some may be thinking, “Oh great. Two sad-sack posts in a row.”
But no downer here. For me, veggies and fruit are topics of pure, parsnip-pickled perfection!
I love me some produce – almost as much as I heart Costa Mesa. Luckily it’s been easy-breezy to get all my fresh veg here in Costa Mesa since going #costamesa365.
That’s because, I haven’t had to change a single, lychee-lovin’ thing!
I have always shopped for my veg here in Costa Mesa – and, since I just got back with a huge haul from Growers Direct, let’s list a few, local faves:
GROWERS DIRECT
First of all, I feel smarter shopping at Growers Direct on 17th and Superior in Westside Costa Mesa, thanks to their music! They are usually playing classical music which just adds a nice, pleasant cresendo to the whole veg-out experience. The produce is always super fresh, affordable and a big, consistent selection!
SOCO FARMERS’ MARKET
We went out and interviewed the folks behind the SOCO Farmers’ Market and you can read all about it, here. You can find them at SOCO & The OC Mix, corner of South Coast Drive and Hyland Ave, on Saturday mornings. It’s very kid-friendly and feels abundant, yet cozy, at the same time!
SOCO Farmers’ Market, Costa Mesa (Photo: Brandy Young)
GROWERS RANCH
Growers Ranch – off Newport Blvd and 20th street – is like the Growers Direct of Eastside Costa Mesa. (Or “Direct” is the “Ranch” of the Westside?) Either way, both have a similar feel. Big, consistent selection with extremely fresh and well-sourced produce. Bonus for the days they have free popcorn! Rumor has it lots of local chefs source their produce here.
MOTHER’S Market
I confess to not being very organic. I try, but then I slack. (I know, I know… but I’m just being honest with you guys!) But my friends who are super, die-hard, organic shoppers? They can’t get enough of the Mother’s Market organic produce section. If you shop the whole section and still haven’t vegged out enough – you can hit the salad bar as you leave.
Mother’s Market, Costa Mesa (Photo: Brandy Young)
COSTA MESA CERTIFIED FARMERS’ MARKET
Last on our list – but just scratching the surface of all the great places to get veg in Costa Mesa – is the Costa Mesa Farmers’ Market. It goes on every Thursday morning at the OC Fairgrounds, right across from City Hall. This is one of those farmers’ markets where you believe that everything was literally just trucked in from someone’s actual farm. It’s fresh, full of options, great family feel – and don’t pass up all those delicious samples from the local food vendors, too. Yum!
So tell me, fellow veg-heads, what’s missing from my list? Where do you prefer to procure the perfect produce here in Costa Mesa?
Peas and thank you. ♥
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*We will always start by shopping / looking in Costa Mesa, first. But if we really need something and an alternative is nowhere to be found in Costa Mesa, we’ll stray. Also, as parents, we’ve decided that certain kid-related things (mainly educational) will need to remain baked in.
