Given the possible urgency of some folks trying to find various food items for home (after the insane raiding we’ve had on our local supermarkets / Costco, etc.), it might be helpful to surface some nice finds at our local Farmers Markets to help each other out. 
There are some really nice salt of the earth people farming and delivering great produce and meats to us every week at our local farmers markets; for those that are able to, it’s great to show support and purchase food supplies from them for making delicious meals at home.
Hollywood Farmers Market
Today's visit had a lighter crowd, but still various folks stopping by to pick up items for the week and beyond.The Garden Of
For those that have never stopped by this little stand, The Garden Of… is a Certified Organic Farm out of Santa Ynez, California, run by Shu Takikawa and his family. You’ll oftentimes see generations of family helping out.
The biggest draw of The Garden Of… are the incredible Organic Lettuces that Shu-san and his family grow.
Organic Heirloom Lettuces:
Just look at how beautiful and stunning they are! 
And they taste even better: Vibrant, truly bright, super fresh Salads can be made with The Garden Of’s Organic Lettuces. They are so good that many of L.A.'s top restaurants buy from The Garden Of, including Chef Walter Manzke’s fantastic Republique.
And as always, they are sold for $2 / head, or 3 heads for $5! That’s an incredible bargain for the best Organic Heirloom Lettuces we’ve tried locally.
Organic Chidori Kale:
(Pic from last year, I forgot to snap a photo today.)
And their stunning Organic Chidori Kale is back in season! For those that haven’t tried it before, besides looking gorgeous, we like to saute them with some Garlic and Olive Oil and the results are some soft, almost “creamy” and lush fragrant Vegetables, tasting better than standard Kale offerings. We love them! 
(@foodshutterbug @hanhgry @TheCookie @J_L @Dommy and others)
The Garden Of… (Organic Farm)
(@ Hollywood Farmers Market (Sunday)) (North of the Arclight Cinemas)
1600 Ivar Ave.
Hollywood, CA 90028
Day: Sunday
Hours: 8:00AM - 1:00PM
(Also @ Santa Monica Farmers Market (Wednesday))
155 Arizona Ave.
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Day: Wednesday
Hours: 8:00AM - 1:00PM
Autonomy Farms
Out of Bakersfield, California, this is an excellent source for various meats you might be looking for. Speaking with the founder of Autonomy Farms, the animals are humanely raised, Organic, No Hormones, No Antibiotics (@TheCookie) .
Organic Bone-In Pork Loin Chops:
Autonomy Farms has some of the most flavorful Pork Chops we’ve bought locally. We prefer the flavor of these over the Organic ones at Whole Foods and a few other purveyors.
Organic Whole Chicken / Quarters / Ground Chicken:
Autonomy Farms also had plenty of Organic Whole Chickens, Quarters (Leg & Thigh, Breast) and Ground Chicken available. (By comparison many supermarkets are totally sold out of Chicken and other meats currently.)
They also had a nice selection of Organic Beef cuts and Lamb cuts as well.
Autonomy Farms
(@ Hollywood Farmers Market (Sunday)) (North of the Arclight Cinemas)
1600 Ivar Ave.
Hollywood, CA 90028
Day: Sunday
Hours: 8:00AM - 1:00PM
Thao Family Farms
I remember first visiting Thao Family Farms after reading about them in one of the nice Farmers Market Reports in the L.A. Times years ago. Based out of Fresno, California, while not officially Certified Organic, they are Pesticide-Free and grow some excellent Vegetables used in Asian cuisine.
I’ve enjoyed their Bok Choy, Bittermelon and Napa Cabbage offerings over the past few years. For today’s visit…
Yu Choy:
Absolutely pristine and beautiful. I’ll let our Chinese cooking experts like @beefnoguy @J_L @JeetKuneBao comment on cooking methods here, but we’ve tried them poached / boiled before and they are still great.
Shanghai Bok Choy:
We picked up a bunch of Bok Choy today. From past visits, thanks to a simple recipe from my Taiwanese friend, we saute the Bok Choy with some Green Onions, Salt and Rice Wine and it’s wonderful.
Purple Russian Kale:
Sprouting Broccoli:
Mustard Greens:
Flowering Napa:
Flowering Broccoli:
Daikon:
I’ve really liked their Daikon Radish from past visits; it’s excellent in Soups!
Mountain Yam / Yama Imo:
My friends love Thao Family Farms’ Yama Imo (or Japanese Mountain Yams). We already bought enough produce for this week, so I’ll have to give them a try next week. 
Thao Family Farms
(@ Hollywood Farmers Market (Sunday)) (North of the Arclight Cinemas)
1600 Ivar Ave.
Hollywood, CA 90028
Day: Sunday
Hours: 8:00AM - 1:00PM
Arnett Farms
Arnett Farms (Fresno, California) has some of the best Fruit selections throughout the year (with many misses as well). They have perhaps too many varieties, but if you ever get a chance to try their Flavor King Pluots and Black Mission Figs in season, they are among the best that our local farmers markets have to offer!
Currently in season is citrus!
Cara Cara Oranges + Shasta Gold Oranges:
With the coronavirus worries, they didn’t offer any samples this week, but our Cara Cara and Shasta Gold Oranges from last week were aromatic, beautifully sweet and a great portrait of the citrus season. We picked up some more Shasta Gold Oranges this week.
Shinko Japanese Pears:
Their Shinko variety of Japanese / Asian-style Pears were crisp, juicy and balanced sweetness last week.
When in doubt, speak to any of their workers helping around the stand and they’ll be happy to recommend and pick out the best offerings of the week for you.
Another great aspect of Arnett Farms: They grow a variety of excellent Nuts! Their Pistachios and Almonds are incredible and so fresh!
It seems a lot of supermarkets have their entire sections of Nuts, Chips all cleaned out, but Arnett Farms (and a few other Nut Farms at the Hollywood Farmers Market) had plenty of fresh (and delicious) Pistachios, Almonds, Walnuts and more available today. FYI.
Almond Butter (Variety):
Arnett Farms’ freshly ground Almond Butter (they have a variety of flavors) are incredible! So fresh and nutty and fragrant.
Pistachio Butter:
And for all you Pistachio Lovers out there, their Pistachio Butter is really amazing. Totally different from Peanut or Almond Butter.
They also preserve / dry their unsold Fruit over the course of the year, and you get some really great Dried Fruit offerings (great for a snack or morning Breakfast Cereal / Oatmeal, etc.).
Arnett Farms
(@ Hollywood Farmers Market (Sunday)) (North of the Arclight Cinemas)
1600 Ivar Ave.
Hollywood, CA 90028
Day: Sunday
Hours: 8:00AM - 1:00PM
Yasutomi Farms
Yasutomi Farms is out of Pico Rivera and Long Beach, California. They always have some nice Japanese Vegetables in pristine condition each week. For today’s visit:
Komatsuna & Mizuna Greens:
I’ve enjoyed Yasutomi Farms’ Mizuna and Komatsuna offerings in the past. Always very fresh and with a good vegetal flavor.
Shungiku (Chrysanthemum):
Asatsuki Negi (Green Onion Chive):
I’ve never tried cooking Asatsuki Negi or Shungiku before, but if any of our FTC Japanese cuisine cooks want to chime in, please let us know some recipes. (@foodshutterbug @beefnoguy @J_L and others.)
Yasutomi Farms
(@ Hollywood Farmers Market (Sunday)) (North of the Arclight Cinemas)
1600 Ivar Ave.
Hollywood, CA 90028
Day: Sunday
Hours: 8:00AM - 1:00PM
(Also @ Santa Monica Farmers Market (Wednesday))
155 Arizona Ave.
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Day: Wednesday
Hours: 8:00AM - 1:00PM
Seeing the various news reports for this past weekend, it’s been unsettling and a challenging time for many out there. For those that are able to, consider stopping by your local Farmers Markets instead of a mad rush to the supermarket. Not only was there plenty of amazing produce (and many of it used by L.A.'s top restaurants), far better than what’s in your local supermarket, it also helps to support the hardworking California farmers, producing some of the best produce and meats available around the country.
)
Glad you were able to get a variety of veggies you needed at the Echo Park Farmers Market. If you do get a chance, definitely try the Chidori Kale from The Garden Of, it’s delicious. 
