Fashion View
Keepin’ It Local
By Shasta Boss
Autumn’s leaves are falling and winter is peeking out from right around the corner. With a new year approaching, celebrations are always in the works. When gift shopping we should make the choice of doing it all locally. The Farmers Market is an easy weekly routine and it goes on through mid December (Saturdays only until it ends on the 17th). If you think that all the Farmers Market has to offer is food type items, you are in for a treat. You can find Bre’s Floral arrangements, plants, unique jewelry pieces, glimmering Swarovski crystal items, candles from Desert Garden, Inland Fog’s natural vegan homemade bath soap, wood works, crafts, and more. The downtown street market supplies the community with a huge variety of the freshest food products including baked goods, nuts, and dairy products. So many taste testings can be found throughout the market from hummus, to clam chowder, handmade caramels, jams, salsas, fruits, nuts, kettle corn, Bolani breads and spreads, Murphy’s Mustard, Edith’s Bread treats, and much more.
One of my favorite food items are the butter toffee glazed almonds from Four K Farms. They sell all kinds of sweet and savory flavoredalmonds and some seasoned walnuts (honey sesame are delish too), plain almonds, dried fruit, and pistachios. My family loves to mix the butter toffee almonds with Dale’s Kettle Corn for an easy and delicious movie or dessert snack. Bava Farms has great prices on tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, and peppers. John, the owner or “The Pepper Guy” as I like to refer to him, has a nice variety of habaneros, Anaheims, bells, and other different varieties of peppers. Jammin’ Jams have a good variety of jams and pickled items. Taste a bunch and pick up a few for gifts since they are jarred up with a cute piece of fabric to top it off. Edith’s chocolate zucchini bread, peasant bread, and ciabatta rolls are scrumptious. Sciabica Olive Oil offers flavored oils that can be a perfect gift for any chef or food lover. Jer M Designs makes painted wooden banks, toy cars, and other quality made items. Everyone has to eat, so don’t be shy giving out these delicious treats as gifts.
Recently, I have came across a few new boutique style booths. Ultimate Elegance carries elegant and unique items made with Swarovski crystals and other jewelry products. Donna’s Designs also displays beautiful jewelry items handmade and uniquely designed. Silk Bloomers create handmadecraft items and wreaths focusing on the seasons and upcoming holidays. Cosmic Popsicle is a new and emerging company based in Turlock. They sell handmadebath, body, and skin care items, whipped body butters, and mineral makeup. These are all upscale gift items that are made locally and that will work within the budget.
The Dickens Victorian Faire takes place December 3rd on 15th Street where the usual market will be combined with morelocal craft booths aimed at holiday gifts.
Support our local farmers and artists by stocking up on goodies at The Farmers Market. Fill up a few gift baskets for your loved ones of locally made and grown quality items.
