THE SITE: Third Avenue Village's Farmers Market in Chula Vista
Every Thursday of the year, Center Street and Third Avenue becomes a feast for the senses when dozens of vendors convene to sell their specialties at Chula Vista's farmers market.
Perhaps most noticeable are the colorful displays of fresh-cut flowers available both in bouquets and separately for custom creations. Everyone from little girls to elderly gentlemen weaves their way through buckets full of snapdragons, daisies, lilies, roses, sunflowers and birds of paradise to find the perfect table centerpiece.
The intensely bright and hearty fruits and vegetables also attract hungry eyes. Big mounds of beautiful tomatoes, oranges and peaches nearly topple over every time a selection is made. Bundles of green beans and peas are neighbors to leafy heads of lettuce and cabbage, and serious shoppers find squeezing a grapefruit or cantaloupe irresistible. Free samples of strawberries, limes and lemons sit on paper plates for passers-by.
A historic fact: Chula Vista was the self-proclaimed Lemon Capital of the World from 1900 to 1945, back when citrus production was the economic mainstay of the city. A brick wall facing Center Street provides a backdrop of a mural depicting lemon trees and a turn-of-the-century home.
For sweet treats, an ice cream truck offers sundaes, soft-serve and banana splits. A little less rich are the low-fat fruit and sorbet options. Another stand takes the all-natural approach with fresh fruit cups filled with mango and pineapple.
A common theme throughout the market is that the produce is natural, organic and grown without pesticides. Even the cartons of eggs guarantee that their hens were fed a strictly vegetarian diet.
Enticing smells float about, varying from those of kettle corn to tamales, churros to cinnamon rolls and hot dogs to corn on the cob. Gyros are popular, as are other Mediterranean foods such as falafel, tzatziki, taboule and baklava.
Besides food and flowers, a few vendors sell wares such as photo frames, handcrafted fuzzy scarves, baby clothes and magnetic jewelry. One booth's sign boasts handmade soy candles; another promotes its bruise-preventing arnica lotion.
For questions, comments and informational fliers, drop by the Third Avenue Village Association's booth at the front. And before you leave, take note of a pleasant detail to the market's atmosphere: the bearded fiddler who plays old-timey tunes for tips.
DATES: Every Thursday. Spring and summer: 3 to 7 p.m.; fall and winter: 3 to 6 p.m.
COST: Free.
MORE INFORMATION: Third Avenue Village Association, (619) 422-1982. ONLINE: thirdavenuevillage.com
– B.P. Inman
