We’ve talked about shopping local for gifts and books, but what about veggies and meats? Are you a Locavore? “What is a Locavore?”, you ask.  According to Jennifer Maiser, founder of the “Eat Local Challenge” group, “Locavores are people who pay attention to where their food comes from and commit to eating local food as much as possible.” We have recently seen a surge of Locavore activity popping up around town.

The great thing about thinking like a Locavore, is that it does not have to be an all or nothing proposition. Start small, like deciding to get your produce at one of our local farmer’s markets. We’re fortunate in Riverside to have numerous markets to choose from. Here is a list of our local Farmer’s Markets.

Riverside Certified Farmer’s Market
Every Friday, Rain or Shine
8:00am – 12:00pm
5261 Arlington Ave. (Sears Parking Lot off of Streeter)
Riverside CFR Website

Downtown Farmer’s Market Riverside
Every Saturday Morning
8:00am – 1:00pm
Main Street between 5th & 6th Street
DFMR Website

Galleria at Tyler Riverside Farmer’s Market
Every Sunday Near TGI Fridays
9:00am – 1:00pm
Pacific Costal CFM

Riverside Kaiser CFM
Every Other Friday
10:00am – 2:00pm
At the Riverside Kaiser Hospital Campus
Southland Farmer’s Market Association

These are just the markets that are here in Riverside. If you’re adventurous and would like to travel further, or if you travel and like to visit local markets where you are visiting, there are phone apps that will help you locate a local market.

This Market Finder app is available for i-phones or Androids

The app we used to help write this blog entry is called “Farmer’s Market Finder”. It will help you find markets wherever you are by city, day of the week, or as pins on a map.  There are some great markets in surrounding cities such as Redlands or Temecula as well.  With this app or one like it you’ll be able to keep your locavore status even when traveling.

Purchasing your food from local vendors is one small step towards living local.  An added bonus is that it is fun go get out to visit the vendors and see friends there too enjoying the wonderful quality of life we have here in Riverside.