Posted by HuffPuff, a resident of the Cuesta Park neighborhood, on Jun 27, 2011 at 1:14 pm

Well, I can't blame the kids...this time of year the local balloon animals are at their peak!

Posted by Joan, a resident of another community, on Jun 27, 2011 at 3:43 pm

Agree - Definetly the best farmer's market I have been to.

Posted by Observer, a resident of the Old Mountain View neighborhood, on Jun 28, 2011 at 7:15 am

Much of what is passed off as fresh produce in the market is actually at peak or near spoiling, hence lower prices on only some of the products. The strawberries won't last but a few days, the oranges are the ones that have been lying on the ground and passed over. Only urbanites that never stepped foot on a farm or worked in agriculture would fall for the Euro-romantic, pastoral lure and illusion of a farmer's market in the middle of Mountain View. The market is more about projecting image and psychological comfort for many, as the writer here illustrates.

Posted by Jennifer Fogliani, a resident of the Whisman Station neighborhood, on Jun 28, 2011 at 7:55 am

@Observer: Thanks for your comments and observations. You are right - I am certainly not very familiar with farming but I do find the vegetables and fruits, in my opinion, taste fresh when we bring them home and eat them (usually right away). And we also love the experience - not just the food.

It's probably all about perspective, and another great thing about Mountain View is all the many different perspectives in the community. Thanks for sharing yours.

Posted by Catherine, a resident of the Willowgate neighborhood, on Jul 1, 2011 at 1:40 pm

The farmers market is especially good for picking up stuff you can't find in many grocery stores, like Blenheim apricots and dry-farmed tomatoes. And who can resist having vendors like Scream Sorbet and Bread and Bun in one location? Plus, it's a great way to teach kids about seasonal foods.

Posted by Martha, a resident of the Waverly Park neighborhood, on Jul 2, 2011 at 9:37 am

Observer: such a sunny outlook you have!

I know that when I buy bags of salad greens at the farmer's market, they are still usable a week later. When I buy loose salad greens at a supermarket, they are mushy and gross within a week. And I often get tired of buying rock-hard peaches at the grocery store and waiting for them to get ripe enough to eat, only to have them go from rock-hard to rotten seemingly overnight. I'm OK with buying a few perfectly ripe peaches at the market and eating them up in a couple of days. Totally worth it.

Posted by Mr. Rogers, a resident of the Castro City neighborhood, on Jul 5, 2011 at 3:16 pm

Is that creepy clown still there? Wouldn't let my gets near that guy. CrreeeeePY!!!!!