Fruit and vegetables on the West Side?

Question

A search of the board came up short...
 
I am down in LA for a little while, staying in Venice. Where can I find a small green-grocer that's cheap. Are any of the ubiquitous health food stores actually reasonably priced? I have not ducked into the Venice Co-op yet. Any opinions? I understand that there are weekend farmers markets around. Any suggestions on those?
 
Thanks!
 
-Mike Z

Answer

Mike.... Seems like there was a LA Farmers Market thread not too long ago...as for health food stores the Venice Co op was very slim last I ventured in, also Food for Life on Main, has rather sad produce, however they do have juices made to order.
If you want to venture as far as Santa Monica
the Co-oportunity Market has good variety of produce, some overpriced. The Wild Oats Markets, 2 in Santa Monica, tend to be pricey, but very nice quality. Best are the Farmers Markets,wens. the downtown Santa Monica at 3rd and Arizona. On the weekend try Sat Market Pico and Cloverfield.

Answer

Dude, 
 
If you can wait until Saturday the Farmer's market on Pico & Cloverfield is the best. 
 
Not as varied as Arizonia & 2nd, nor the women as lovely, but the prices and products are great and the people friendly.
 
/mo

Answer

The City of Santa Monica has four farmers markets weekly, plus there's one on Thursday in Westwood. I've attached a great resource link for farmer's markets.
 
Wednesday - Arizona Ave. & 2nd St. This is the huge market, it opens to the public at 9:00. If you carry around a clipboard with a shopping list on it and tell people you work for Zurer's, you can start shopping at 8:30. Market lasts till 1:00.
 
Thursday - Gayley & LeConte, Westwood. Not so large but still OK. 2:00-7:00, I believe.
 
Saturday - Arizona Ave. & 2nd St. This is basically pretty people buying weekend veggies and is just kind of OK.
 
Saturday - Pico Blvd. & Cloverfield Ave., in Virginia Park. This is the better Saturday market.
 
Sunday - Main St. & Ocean Park Blvd. This isn't a very good market for produce (it's hidden in the veggie ghetto in the back) but if you want to wander through crafts and get all sorts of prepared foods (crepes, elotes, etc.)
 
As for health stores... there is a natural food market on Main St. and Ashland Ave. in Santa Monica but it is small and concentrates on supplements. It's not really a food market. For good natural produce, deli, coffee (try the chai with rice milk, it tastes like horchata), produce, &c., go to Co-Opportunity at 16th and Broadway (one block south of Santa Monica Blvd.) in Santa Monica.

Link: http://farmersmarket.ucdavis.edu

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Fruit and vegetables on the West Side?

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