Farmers' Market Fetish: Hollywood, CA

Thanks to the nearly constant sunshine and warm weather in Southern California, we are blessed with quality farmers market shopping all year long. Things really come alive in the spring, though, and spring has definitely arrived here. Flowers are blooming like crazy, and asparagus, peas and strawberries have arrived at the Hollywood Farmers’ Market.

The always bustling Sunday market started in 1991, and now hosts 160 farmers, producers and food artisans. You’ll find everything from mushrooms, honey, plants, prepared food, knife sharpening, musicians, and a real live baby goat at the goat cheese stand. I’d expect nothing less from Hollywood, and this lively market always delivers.

Laurel Randolph is a food and lifestyle writer hailing from Tennessee and living in Los Angeles. She enjoys cooking, baking and candlestick making. Tweet at her face: @laurelrandy.

1 of 14 Asparagus is a springy vegetable that just isn't the same the rest of the year. It doesn't travel well or last long, so buy it during the spring and cook it up quick for the best flavor and texture.

2 of 14 The Hollywood Farmer's Market hosts a number of musicians, and the Fair Market Band is always there playing bluegrass tunes. It's a nice soundtrack for sampling fresh fruit and organic hummus.

3 of 14 The market is bursting with piles of beets in a rainbow of colors. If you're into these roots, now is the time to stock up.

4 of 14 Things have been warm in SoCal, which means spring bounty is arriving even earlier than usual. Many stalls are packed with green, like this huge pile of crisp bok choy.

5 of 14 Carrots can be found stacked throughout the market, big and small and in a varieties of shades. The small ones are great for roasting whole.

6 of 14 There's a reason Easter is celebrated with eggs. Spring is egg-centric, and the Hollywood Farmer's Market's selection does not disappoint.

7 of 14 Three Rivers Farm boasts a nice spread of organic fava beans, along with snap peas and greens like kale. Beans and peas are just starting to show up at the market.

8 of 14 It's a weird time to be buying apples, but they are still on offer at a few booths. None of them are especially good this time of year, but we loved the sign.

9 of 14 The market populates the side streets just north of Sunset Boulevard at Ivar Avenue & Selma Avenue on Sundays from 8am to 1pm.

10 of 14 La FungHi always has piles of beautiful mushrooms available, and now they have springtime morels. One of these lovely baskets would make a nice gift for a food-loving friend.