Arrive Early—but not TOO early
For the best selection, come early. In the warmer months it’s cooler, and you can get your perishable items home and into the ‘fridge before the heat of the day arrives. But please don’t arrive extremely early expecting to be able to make your purchases. We “officially” open at 8:00am—but we allow vendors to begin selling at 7:45am as a courtesy to customers who want to get an early start.
For the best selection, come early. In the warmer months it’s cooler, and you can get your perishable items home and into the ‘fridge before the heat of the day arrives. But please don’t arrive extremely early expecting to be able to make your purchases. We “officially” open at 8:00am—but we allow vendors to begin selling at 7:45am as a courtesy to customers who want to get an early start.
B.Y.O. Bags
Our vendors have small plastic bags available, but it’s more environmentally friendly if you bring your own reusable bags. We also sell very nice canvas bags at the Information Booth. (Make great gifts!)
Our vendors have small plastic bags available, but it’s more environmentally friendly if you bring your own reusable bags. We also sell very nice canvas bags at the Information Booth. (Make great gifts!)
Expand your (Parking) Horizons
Sure, there’s a (small!) parking lot just East of the market, but why put yourself through another “Trader Joe’s Parking Experience”? There are plenty of more relaxing parking options: One of our favorites is across Orange Grove Ave at the Police/Fire Headquarters. Plenty of spaces available on Saturday mornings, and just a very short walk to the market. You can also park behind City Hall, just across 3rd Street from the Market.
Sure, there’s a (small!) parking lot just East of the market, but why put yourself through another “Trader Joe’s Parking Experience”? There are plenty of more relaxing parking options: One of our favorites is across Orange Grove Ave at the Police/Fire Headquarters. Plenty of spaces available on Saturday mornings, and just a very short walk to the market. You can also park behind City Hall, just across 3rd Street from the Market.
Bring Cash
A few vendors have pay-by-credit-card options, but the vast majority accept cash only. There are multiple ATM machines within a block or so of the market if you run out of the green stuff to buy green stuff. Stop at the Info Booth, we’ll show you where they are.
A few vendors have pay-by-credit-card options, but the vast majority accept cash only. There are multiple ATM machines within a block or so of the market if you run out of the green stuff to buy green stuff. Stop at the Info Booth, we’ll show you where they are.
Leave the Pets at Home, or Sit with them OUTSIDE the Market
We love your critters (we really do!), but we are a Certified Farmers’ Market, part of which means we follow all of the Health Department regulations. These regulations include a “No Pets” rule. Please leave them at home, if you can. Alternately, we have a covered patio where you can sit with your four legged family member, but please don’t bring them inside the market. We can be cited for failing to enforce this regulation, and we feel it’s important to do so.
We love your critters (we really do!), but we are a Certified Farmers’ Market, part of which means we follow all of the Health Department regulations. These regulations include a “No Pets” rule. Please leave them at home, if you can. Alternately, we have a covered patio where you can sit with your four legged family member, but please don’t bring them inside the market. We can be cited for failing to enforce this regulation, and we feel it’s important to do so.
No Public Restrooms at the Market
Just a “heads” up (get it?): We have no public restrooms available inside the market. There IS a public restroom inside the Police/Fire Lobby, however (at 3rd & Orange Grove).
Just a “heads” up (get it?): We have no public restrooms available inside the market. There IS a public restroom inside the Police/Fire Lobby, however (at 3rd & Orange Grove).
Bring Your Curiosity and an Open Mind
Sure, we have all of your Seasonal Favorites, but part of the joy of shopping at a farmers’ market is discovering new, unfamiliar veggies or fruits. Have an open mind, ask a fellow patron or the vendor to tell you more about that odd-looking, oddly-named melon you’ve never seen before.
Sure, we have all of your Seasonal Favorites, but part of the joy of shopping at a farmers’ market is discovering new, unfamiliar veggies or fruits. Have an open mind, ask a fellow patron or the vendor to tell you more about that odd-looking, oddly-named melon you’ve never seen before.
Remember Your Farmers’ Market Etiquette
Farmers’ Markets are not flea markets, and bartering or negotiating the price is generally considered uncool. Prices are displayed for a reason: That’s what the item costs. It’s not a “suggestion”. At the end of the day, some vendors will offer a discount, say, if they have a lot of something left over, but generally the price is the price.
Farmers’ Markets are not flea markets, and bartering or negotiating the price is generally considered uncool. Prices are displayed for a reason: That’s what the item costs. It’s not a “suggestion”. At the end of the day, some vendors will offer a discount, say, if they have a lot of something left over, but generally the price is the price.
Take a Lap
Our market is laid out in a very convenient “square”, with an “inner” and “outer” row of vendors. Take a few minutes to “take a lap”. See who has what. Maybe there will be more than one choice for that certain something you don’t want to leave without? Don’t want to wait in that long line? There might be another vendor that is “line-free” for that must-have item!
Our market is laid out in a very convenient “square”, with an “inner” and “outer” row of vendors. Take a few minutes to “take a lap”. See who has what. Maybe there will be more than one choice for that certain something you don’t want to leave without? Don’t want to wait in that long line? There might be another vendor that is “line-free” for that must-have item!
Ask Questions
Don’t be shy about asking a vendor about an item you’re interested in or curious about. “We Grow What We Sell” is NOT an empty slogan. In many cases you have an opportunity to ask the actual farmer/vendor about that lovely item you’d like to try. And don't’ forget about the Info Booth. All of our Info is Certified Organic, and freeeeee...!
Don’t be shy about asking a vendor about an item you’re interested in or curious about. “We Grow What We Sell” is NOT an empty slogan. In many cases you have an opportunity to ask the actual farmer/vendor about that lovely item you’d like to try. And don't’ forget about the Info Booth. All of our Info is Certified Organic, and freeeeee...!
Spend Your Food Stamps (EBT) with Us
We accept California EBT/Food Stamps at the market. Why not spend them for the freshest possible food items to help keep your family healthy?
We accept California EBT/Food Stamps at the market. Why not spend them for the freshest possible food items to help keep your family healthy?
Feel Good About Shopping at the BCFM
Shopping at the Burbank Certified Farmers’ Market is a WIN-WIN-WIN-WIN!:
Win #1: You can select from literally the freshest produce available. Those eggs you just bought? That basket of strawberries? They were probably (literally) harvested within the last 24 to 48 hours. Supermarkets just can’t match that freshness.
Win #2: You’re directly supporting family farmers and small business vendors. Ninety to ninety-four percent of what you spend with them goes directly to them, and helps keep them in business.
Win #3: We are one of the few not-for-profit farmers’ markets around: The 6% to 10% in fees that we collect from the vendors goes directly to the Providence St. Joseph Foundation. The Foundation is the charitable wing of the hospital, and helps provide health care for people who would otherwise be unable to afford the care they need.
Win #4: Many of our vendors donate unsold food items to Food Forward at the end of the market. As their Mission Statement describes: “Food Forward rescues fresh produce that would otherwise go to waste, connecting this abundance with people in need, and inspiring others to do the same.”
Shopping at the Burbank Certified Farmers’ Market is a WIN-WIN-WIN-WIN!:
Win #1: You can select from literally the freshest produce available. Those eggs you just bought? That basket of strawberries? They were probably (literally) harvested within the last 24 to 48 hours. Supermarkets just can’t match that freshness.
Win #2: You’re directly supporting family farmers and small business vendors. Ninety to ninety-four percent of what you spend with them goes directly to them, and helps keep them in business.
Win #3: We are one of the few not-for-profit farmers’ markets around: The 6% to 10% in fees that we collect from the vendors goes directly to the Providence St. Joseph Foundation. The Foundation is the charitable wing of the hospital, and helps provide health care for people who would otherwise be unable to afford the care they need.
Win #4: Many of our vendors donate unsold food items to Food Forward at the end of the market. As their Mission Statement describes: “Food Forward rescues fresh produce that would otherwise go to waste, connecting this abundance with people in need, and inspiring others to do the same.”
One of the Original Southern California Farmers’ Markets
We’re in our 33rd year. And, thanks to you, hope to be around for many more. THANK YOU FOR SHOPPING WITH US!
We’re in our 33rd year. And, thanks to you, hope to be around for many more. THANK YOU FOR SHOPPING WITH US!
