On any given Sunday you will find all kinds of people milling about in the parking lot on the outskirts of the Alamitos Bay Marina.
The feeling is upbeat, festive.
The folks are there for fresh vegetables and fruits and a light coastal atmosphere where the sea winds waft to meet the crisp aromas of hot tamales and fresh cut flowers.
Welcome to the Long Beach Southeast Farmers Market. It draws many people from the Seal Beach area and other cities in northwest Orange County, as well as from Long Beach area.
It is one of the five year-round Harbor Area Farmers Markets and according to Dale Whitney, who manages the markets, the one at Alamitos Bay remains his company’s strongest and most successful.
Whitney said the success is due in part to the emphasis on healthy, fresh produce, highlighted by unusual items such as dates, Asian mushrooms, bison meats, olives/pickled veggies, hot sauces, spices, sausages.
“With a weekly average of 45 producers, we offer berries and tomatoes year-round, an excellent assortment of vegetables and other fruits, eggs, honey and lots of plants,” he said.
There are also baked goods, fresh seafood, processed nuts, fruit juices, kettle corn, chicken meats, praline candy, and Mediterranean foods.
Guests can also hear live music by solo artists or small combos in the shade of the popular local marina.
It’s a cornucopia of food and of people.
While the market attracts those looking for a way to spend a couple hours of breezy browsing, it also attracts serious shoppers on quests for the best and freshest foods for their table.
One of the regular customers of this caliber is Chef Francisco Lozano of the nearby Brulée Restaurant in Long Beach.
He shops for much of the restaurant’s vegetable supplies at the open-air market.
“I can’t wait to get to Farmer’s Market on Sunday morning,” Lozano said. “Before I start shopping, I walk down the market just seeing what is out there. I see blood oranges, Fuji apples, radishes, red Swiss chard and some great looking strawberries.”
Some of the farmers know Lozano from his frequent visits and wave at him.
“I walk back down the market and begin to sniff and taste each produce that I am interested in,” he said. “Umm … The Oro Blanco grapefruits, the blood oranges call for a great mixed green salad with the wedges of these two citrus and maybe some nuts. The Fuji apples will make a nice savory tart with Rosemary for dessert.”
Suddenly, Lozano sees a “gorgeous baby bock choy and Asian greens.”
He thinks they call for a cod with its broth and served with today’s greens that he found.
The market inspires the chef. The menu at Brulée changes every week on Fridays and he fills it with what comes to mind at the market.
He says it also helps support the local economy.
“I have to make several trips to my car to load the finds,” he said. “As I walk through the crowds, I see some of my customers and they ask me what is good at the Market today.”
Driving back to the restaurant, Lozano’s car has an aroma of strawberries and herbs.
“During the short drive, I begin to fantasize about the ingredients for this week’s menu. As I unload the car, my customers at the restaurant that are having Sunday brunch, ask me what I’ve found at the market. I proudly show them the finds but all credit goes back to the farmers that toil hard to bring us these goods.”
The Farmers Market at Alamitos Bay has been operating since 1997.
According to Whitney, its success weighs heavily on how well it draws customers from Seal Beach.
He said it is also because unlike the Friday markets near downtown Long Beach, the Sunday markets tend to draw people with money to spend.
What: Long Beach Southeast Farmers’ Market
When: Year round from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday
Where: Alamitos Bay Marina: E. Marina Dr. south of E. 2nd St. in Long Beach
Phone: (866) 466-3834
Web Site: http://www.harborareafarmersmarkets.org
For more information on healthy eating, see the Web site www.goodveg.org.
