Alternatives to Everyday Grocery Shopping: the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market

I hate grocery shopping.

No, really. I hate going to grocery stores, pushing a cart around under the fluorescent lights. Going to smaller markets like Bryan's or the Haight Street Whole Foods is a nice compromise, but it is still going to the grocery store. Which is firmly planted on my no fun list.

Which is why today we did our shopping for the food we'll cook and eat this week at the Ferry Plaza Farmers' Saturday market.

We started out with brunch at the underrated Market Bar, where I had a friend egg, cheese and pork sandwich (with chipotle aioli, avocado tomatillo salsa and plantain chips) that was simply amazing. When it arrived I thought to myself there was no possible way I could eat it all. But I was wrong. I only left a crunchy bit of crust on my plate!

Sufficiently fueled up, we spent an hour scouring the market for ingredient's for the week's dinners. Highlights of what we brought home:

• Hand packed pints of Ciao Bella gelato, in bourbon pecan and chocolate malt ball
• Eureka lemons from Brokaw
• Brussels sprouts and artichokes from Iacopi Farm
• Strawberry rhubarb jam from June Taylor
• Peach conserves from Frog Hollow Farm
• Inverness cheese from Cowgirl Creamery
• House-made bratwurst from Golden Gate Meat
• Donut muffins from Downtown Bakery & Creamery

There is just something so inspiring about buying food in the fresh foggy air, often from the people who are growing it. I can't wait to put all our produce and assorted treats to use this week.